Closed Thread
Results 1 to 19 of 19

Thread: The One or Two Best Commentaries on Each Book of the Bible (imo)

  1. greenbaggins's Avatar
    greenbaggins is offline. Administrator
    Join Date
    Dec 2006
    Location
    Hague, North Dakota
    Posts
    3,168
    Thanks
    999
    Thanked 2,592 Times in 884 Posts

    The One or Two Best Commentaries on Each Book of the Bible (imo)

    I have blogged my recommendations for each book of the Bible for the best one or two modern commentaries here. For a more complete listing of good commentaries, graded on a three-tier system, go here.
    Rev. Lane Keister
    Teaching Elder, PCA, North Dakota (working out of bounds in a CRC and an RCA church)
    http://greenbaggins.wordpress.com
    http://brahmsgreenglove.blogspot.com
    http://accenttranslation.blogspot.com
    Click to get: Board Rules -- Signature Requirements -- Suggestions?
    Digg this Post!Add Post to del.icio.usBookmark Post in TechnoratiFurl this Post!

  2. The Following 4 Users Say Thank You to greenbaggins For This Useful Post:

    bened (01-04-2008), etexas (01-04-2008), Quickened (01-02-2008), VirginiaHuguenot (01-02-2008)

  3. Quickened's Avatar
    Quickened is offline. Puritanboard Senior
    Join Date
    Oct 2007
    Location
    Milwaukee, Wi
    Posts
    2,051
    Thanks
    949
    Thanked 225 Times in 188 Posts
    I have often thought about things like this. As i build my library and dive into scripture i find something of this nature very useful.

    I notice that you do say you do not agree with the viewpoint on all of the commentaries. I would be curious to see a small follow up of things that you remember that you dont necessarily agree with or like. Could be of further assistance to those interested in browsing any of these works.

    Thanks for the list brother! Hope to see a trend of people doing similar posts
    Brian E
    Attending Falls OPC
    Menomonee Falls, WI

    Quote Originally Posted by Psalm 28:7
    The Lord is my Strength and my shield; in Him my heart trusts, and I am helped; my heart exults, and with my song i give thanks to Him.
    Digg this Post!Add Post to del.icio.usBookmark Post in TechnoratiFurl this Post!

  4. Daniel Ritchie is offline. Puritanboard Doctor
    Join Date
    Jun 2007
    Location
    Saintfield, Co. Down, Northern Ireland
    Posts
    6,513
    Thanks
    2,011
    Thanked 1,123 Times in 739 Posts
    Good to see Dale Ralph Davis in the Kings slot.
    Daniel Ritchie
    Saintfield, Northern Ireland - Queen's University, Belfast:History/Politics
    Member of Dromara Reformed Presbyterian Church of Ireland (Covenanter)
    Digg this Post!Add Post to del.icio.usBookmark Post in TechnoratiFurl this Post!

  5. greenbaggins's Avatar
    greenbaggins is offline. Administrator
    Join Date
    Dec 2006
    Location
    Hague, North Dakota
    Posts
    3,168
    Thanks
    999
    Thanked 2,592 Times in 884 Posts
    The only real problems that I have with some of them is that some do not come from a conservative approach to the text. Achtemeier on 1 Peter, for instance, does not believe that Peter wrote the letter. It is astounding to me that such a good commentary can be written from such a perspective. Some others come from a slightly liberal perspective (none are flaming liberals): Goldingay on Daniel, Bergant on S of S, Fitzmyer's commentaries, Towner on the Pastoral Epistles (an egalitarian approach), Bauckham on 2 Peter (doesn't believe that Peter wrote it). There's probably quite a few more areas where I might disagree with some of them, but that's all for now.
    Rev. Lane Keister
    Teaching Elder, PCA, North Dakota (working out of bounds in a CRC and an RCA church)
    http://greenbaggins.wordpress.com
    http://brahmsgreenglove.blogspot.com
    http://accenttranslation.blogspot.com
    Click to get: Board Rules -- Signature Requirements -- Suggestions?
    Digg this Post!Add Post to del.icio.usBookmark Post in TechnoratiFurl this Post!

  6. Dieter Schneider's Avatar
    Dieter Schneider is offline. Puritanboard Sophomore
    Join Date
    Feb 2007
    Location
    United Kingdom
    Posts
    588
    Thanks
    5
    Thanked 49 Times in 38 Posts
    Bauckham on 2 Peter (doesn't believe that Peter wrote it).

    Calvin didn't either!
    Independent Reformed Baptist Church (NE England, nr. Durham)
    Digg this Post!Add Post to del.icio.usBookmark Post in TechnoratiFurl this Post!

  7. greenbaggins's Avatar
    greenbaggins is offline. Administrator
    Join Date
    Dec 2006
    Location
    Hague, North Dakota
    Posts
    3,168
    Thanks
    999
    Thanked 2,592 Times in 884 Posts
    Well, that depends on how you read him. Yes, he says that Peter didn't actually do the writing. But he might as well have said it, imo, since he argues that Peter told someone what to write.
    Rev. Lane Keister
    Teaching Elder, PCA, North Dakota (working out of bounds in a CRC and an RCA church)
    http://greenbaggins.wordpress.com
    http://brahmsgreenglove.blogspot.com
    http://accenttranslation.blogspot.com
    Click to get: Board Rules -- Signature Requirements -- Suggestions?
    Digg this Post!Add Post to del.icio.usBookmark Post in TechnoratiFurl this Post!

  8. Daniel Ritchie is offline. Puritanboard Doctor
    Join Date
    Jun 2007
    Location
    Saintfield, Co. Down, Northern Ireland
    Posts
    6,513
    Thanks
    2,011
    Thanked 1,123 Times in 739 Posts
    I see Don Carson is in the John slot, does anyone else think it is worth reading that commentary? I am thinking of buying it and reading a portion on the Lord's Day (its too big for daily devotions).
    Daniel Ritchie
    Saintfield, Northern Ireland - Queen's University, Belfast:History/Politics
    Member of Dromara Reformed Presbyterian Church of Ireland (Covenanter)
    Digg this Post!Add Post to del.icio.usBookmark Post in TechnoratiFurl this Post!

  9. greenbaggins's Avatar
    greenbaggins is offline. Administrator
    Join Date
    Dec 2006
    Location
    Hague, North Dakota
    Posts
    3,168
    Thanks
    999
    Thanked 2,592 Times in 884 Posts
    In my opinion (and Richard Phillips's comment on my blog agrees), Carson's is the best modern commentary by far.
    Rev. Lane Keister
    Teaching Elder, PCA, North Dakota (working out of bounds in a CRC and an RCA church)
    http://greenbaggins.wordpress.com
    http://brahmsgreenglove.blogspot.com
    http://accenttranslation.blogspot.com
    Click to get: Board Rules -- Signature Requirements -- Suggestions?
    Digg this Post!Add Post to del.icio.usBookmark Post in TechnoratiFurl this Post!

  10. The Following User Says Thank You to greenbaggins For This Useful Post:

    Daniel Ritchie (01-03-2008)

  11. Daniel Ritchie is offline. Puritanboard Doctor
    Join Date
    Jun 2007
    Location
    Saintfield, Co. Down, Northern Ireland
    Posts
    6,513
    Thanks
    2,011
    Thanked 1,123 Times in 739 Posts
    Quote Originally Posted by greenbaggins View Post
    In my opinion (and Richard Phillips's comment on my blog agrees), Carson's is the best modern commentary by far.
    I see, I also have R.J. Rushdoony and Bruce Milne (Bible Speaks Today series), but they could be read as part of daily devotions.

    Oh yes, John Stott's commentary on Galatians (also in the Bible Speaks Today series) is the best commentary ever written on that book. If I had to preach on Galatians I think I would just read that book (and add a few comments of my own concerning infant baptism and against holy days etc).
    Daniel Ritchie
    Saintfield, Northern Ireland - Queen's University, Belfast:History/Politics
    Member of Dromara Reformed Presbyterian Church of Ireland (Covenanter)
    Digg this Post!Add Post to del.icio.usBookmark Post in TechnoratiFurl this Post!

  12. AV1611 is offline. Puritanboard Senior
    Join Date
    Nov 2006
    Location
    UK
    Posts
    2,801
    Thanks
    196
    Thanked 394 Times in 256 Posts
    Have you read [ame=http://www.amazon.com/Israel-Conquest-Exile-Commentary-Joshua/dp/0884692388]Amazon.com: Israel from Conquest to Exile: A Commentary on Joshua 2 Kings: Books: John J. Davis,John C. Whitcomb[/ame] I thought it was very good although it is not textual.

    As I do not understand Hebrew what are the best commentaries on Kings and Chronicles?
    Richard
    CofE
    UK
    Digg this Post!Add Post to del.icio.usBookmark Post in TechnoratiFurl this Post!

  13. greenbaggins's Avatar
    greenbaggins is offline. Administrator
    Join Date
    Dec 2006
    Location
    Hague, North Dakota
    Posts
    3,168
    Thanks
    999
    Thanked 2,592 Times in 884 Posts
    No, I haven't read it, but it looks good. Can you give any bio on the two authors? I am not familiar with them.
    Rev. Lane Keister
    Teaching Elder, PCA, North Dakota (working out of bounds in a CRC and an RCA church)
    http://greenbaggins.wordpress.com
    http://brahmsgreenglove.blogspot.com
    http://accenttranslation.blogspot.com
    Click to get: Board Rules -- Signature Requirements -- Suggestions?
    Digg this Post!Add Post to del.icio.usBookmark Post in TechnoratiFurl this Post!

  14. AV1611 is offline. Puritanboard Senior
    Join Date
    Nov 2006
    Location
    UK
    Posts
    2,801
    Thanks
    196
    Thanked 394 Times in 256 Posts
    Quote Originally Posted by greenbaggins View Post
    No, I haven't read it, but it looks good. Can you give any bio on the two authors? I am not familiar with them.
    They are conservative regarding the history and dating. I seem to recall them being premill but not from this book.

    Peter Masters' review: "An outstanding work which blends a summary of events with up-to-date archaeological material and other background information. The authors make no concessions to liberal viewpoints on dating and archaeology. Problem passages are dealt with very well. Extremely readable. Very helpful for message preparation as well as in private devotional use."

    Biography — Dr John C. Whitcomb
    Richard
    CofE
    UK
    Digg this Post!Add Post to del.icio.usBookmark Post in TechnoratiFurl this Post!

  15. py3ak's Avatar
    py3ak is offline. Use Bat Lip Balm
    Join Date
    Mar 2003
    Location
    Indianapolis
    Posts
    7,186
    Thanks
    204
    Thanked 2,779 Times in 1,529 Posts
    A quick suggestion, Lane. "Best" is a term that varies in meaning depending on who's using it. It might be helpful to add a paragraph to the post explaining what you're primarily looking for in a commentary, so people have a better idea of why these commentaries are the best.
    Ruben
    Moderator
    F.P.C.I.
    Indiana

    ...a man who talks nonsense, even though 'with no view to profit,' is not altogether the most agreeable partner in a dispute, whether as opponent or respondent.
    Thomas De Quincey, Confessions of an English Opium Eater

    Board Rules - Signature Requirements - Suggestions?

    Calvinistas Conversando
    Teología en Mexico
    The Howling Wilderness
    Digg this Post!Add Post to del.icio.usBookmark Post in TechnoratiFurl this Post!

  16. greenbaggins's Avatar
    greenbaggins is offline. Administrator
    Join Date
    Dec 2006
    Location
    Hague, North Dakota
    Posts
    3,168
    Thanks
    999
    Thanked 2,592 Times in 884 Posts
    Thanks for the suggestion, Ruben. It's done.
    Rev. Lane Keister
    Teaching Elder, PCA, North Dakota (working out of bounds in a CRC and an RCA church)
    http://greenbaggins.wordpress.com
    http://brahmsgreenglove.blogspot.com
    http://accenttranslation.blogspot.com
    Click to get: Board Rules -- Signature Requirements -- Suggestions?
    Digg this Post!Add Post to del.icio.usBookmark Post in TechnoratiFurl this Post!

  17. The Following User Says Thank You to greenbaggins For This Useful Post:

    py3ak (01-03-2008)

  18. greenbaggins's Avatar
    greenbaggins is offline. Administrator
    Join Date
    Dec 2006
    Location
    Hague, North Dakota
    Posts
    3,168
    Thanks
    999
    Thanked 2,592 Times in 884 Posts
    I have now added a post that details some commentaries to avoid.
    Rev. Lane Keister
    Teaching Elder, PCA, North Dakota (working out of bounds in a CRC and an RCA church)
    http://greenbaggins.wordpress.com
    http://brahmsgreenglove.blogspot.com
    http://accenttranslation.blogspot.com
    Click to get: Board Rules -- Signature Requirements -- Suggestions?
    Digg this Post!Add Post to del.icio.usBookmark Post in TechnoratiFurl this Post!

  19. bookslover's Avatar
    bookslover is offline. Puritanboard Graduate
    Join Date
    Oct 2006
    Location
    Lakewood, CA
    Posts
    3,296
    Thanks
    27
    Thanked 597 Times in 340 Posts
    Quote Originally Posted by greenbaggins View Post
    I have blogged my recommendations for each book of the Bible for the best one or two modern commentaries here. For a more complete listing of good commentaries, graded on a three-tier system, go here.
    Lane, what do you think of R. H. Charles on Revelation? He may not be conservative, but D. A. Carson and others think that it's still, in some ways, a watershed commentary, even if it's 88 years old this year (1920).
    Richard T. Zuelch, M.Div
    Ruling Elder, OPC (not currently serving)
    Westminster Presbyterian Church, CA (OPC)
    www.alexandermaclaren.wordpress.com
    www.reiterations.wordpress.com
    www.spurgeonswords.wordpress.com
    www.traherne.wordpress.com

    One way of feeling infallible is not to keep a diary. - George Orwell (1903-1950)
    Digg this Post!Add Post to del.icio.usBookmark Post in TechnoratiFurl this Post!

  20. greenbaggins's Avatar
    greenbaggins is offline. Administrator
    Join Date
    Dec 2006
    Location
    Hague, North Dakota
    Posts
    3,168
    Thanks
    999
    Thanked 2,592 Times in 884 Posts
    I wouldn't teach on Revelation without Charles, expecially because he has such an amazing grasp of the extra-biblical literature concurrent with the times. So, yes, Charles is still important.
    Rev. Lane Keister
    Teaching Elder, PCA, North Dakota (working out of bounds in a CRC and an RCA church)
    http://greenbaggins.wordpress.com
    http://brahmsgreenglove.blogspot.com
    http://accenttranslation.blogspot.com
    Click to get: Board Rules -- Signature Requirements -- Suggestions?
    Digg this Post!Add Post to del.icio.usBookmark Post in TechnoratiFurl this Post!

  21. etexas is offline. Puritanboard Doctor
    Join Date
    Feb 2007
    Location
    US
    Posts
    6,619
    Thanks
    1,365
    Thanked 435 Times in 320 Posts
    Quote Originally Posted by greenbaggins View Post
    I have blogged my recommendations for each book of the Bible for the best one or two modern commentaries here. For a more complete listing of good commentaries, graded on a three-tier system, go here.
    Thank you for this Thread! I love advice on good commentary!
    etexas, , Servant Of Christ, Saint Mary Magdalene.
    Digg this Post!Add Post to del.icio.usBookmark Post in TechnoratiFurl this Post!

  22. timmopussycat's Avatar
    timmopussycat is offline. Puritanboard Junior
    Join Date
    May 2006
    Location
    Vancouver, BC
    Posts
    1,064
    Thanks
    54
    Thanked 308 Times in 223 Posts
    Quote Originally Posted by Daniel Ritchie View Post
    Quote Originally Posted by greenbaggins View Post
    In my opinion (and Richard Phillips's comment on my blog agrees), Carson's is the best modern commentary by far.
    I see, I also have R.J. Rushdoony and Bruce Milne (Bible Speaks Today series), but they could be read as part of daily devotions.

    Oh yes, John Stott's commentary on Galatians (also in the Bible Speaks Today series) is the best commentary ever written on that book. If I had to preach on Galatians I think I would just read that book (and add a few comments of my own concerning infant baptism and against holy days etc).
    I would echo Greenbaggins comment that Longenecker is first rate (and not just because I went to school with his son). Longenecker touches on an essential issue that is not often addressed: were the Judaizers propounding an error in justification or an error in sanctification instead of or in addition to an error in justification? You may not agree with his conclusion but he will force you to really think the issue through.
    In Christ's love and service

    Mr. Tim Cunningham,
    BMus. (Trombone Performance), University of Toronto
    Dip. CS, Regent College, Vancouver
    Member, First Baptist Church
    Vancouver, BC
    ------------
    "I once sat in darkness, and waited for the moon to rise.
    I once sat in darkness, and waited for the sun to shine.
    I once sat in darkness, when all the light I'd waited for was gone.
    Then Jesus came, and now the only true light, ever, shines in me."
    – John Deacon -
    Digg this Post!Add Post to del.icio.usBookmark Post in TechnoratiFurl this Post!

Closed Thread

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 63 64 65 66 67 68 69