Fall 1990 · Vol. 19 No. 2 · pp. 107–19
Recommended Reading
Bible Study Helps and Commentaries
The following books are recommended by the Bible departments of the sponsoring schools in response to a request for building a preaching pastor’s library. Generally only two books are given per category with the first entry as the one most recommended. Prices supplied are approximate U.S. prices for books available through Christian bookstores.
GENERAL HELPS
Bibliographic Helps:
Branson, M.B. Readers’s Guide to the Best Evangelical Books. Harper and Row, 1982. $5.95.
Carson, D.A. New Testament Commentary Survey. Baker, 1989.$3.95.
France, R.T. A Bibliographic Guide to New Testament Research. J.S.O.T. Press, 1983.
Goldingay, John. Old Testament Commentary Survey. Theological Students Fellowship, 1981.
Study Bible:
N.I.V. Study Bible. $24.95.
N.A.S.B. Study Bible (forthcoming)
Concordance:
Young’s Analytical Concordance. $21.95.
The Eerdmans Analytical Concordance to the R.S.V., 1988. $59.95.
New America Standard Exhaustive Concordance. Nashville, Holman, 1981.$34.95.
The N.I.V. Complete Concordance, Zondervan, 1981. $29.95.
Bible Dictionary:
The Eerdmans Bible Dictionary. Eerdmans, 1987. $32.50.
The New International Dictionary of the Bible. Zondervan, 1987. $29.95. {108}
The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia. rev. ed. Jeoffrey W Romley. (gen. ed.) Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1979-88.4 volumes. $144.00. A revision of 1929 edition.
Harper’s Bible Dictionary. Harper and Row, 1985. $29.50.
Atlas:
Rasmussen, Carl G., N.I. V. Atlas of the Bible. Zondervan, 1989. $39.95.
May, Herbert G., et. al. (eds.) Oxford Bible Atlas. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1985, $14.95.
Handbooks:
Alexander, David and Pat Alexander, Eerdmans Handbook to the Bible (revised). Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1983. $29.95. Also available in abridged version: Eerdmans Concise Handbook to the Bible, 1988. $10.95.
Thompson, J.A. Handbook of Life in Bible Times. Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 1986. $34.95.
Biblical Backgrounds:
Thompson, J.A. The Bible and Archaeology. Eerdmans, 1982 (3). $24.95.
Barrett, C.K. The New Testament Background: Selected Documents. Harper & Row, 1961. $6.95.
Pritchard, J.B., ed. The Ancient Near East: An Anthology of Texts and Pictures. (2 vols.) Princeton U Press, 1958, 1976. $76.00.
Theological Dictionaries/Word Books:
Bauer, J.B. The Encyclopedia of Biblical Theology. New York: Crossroad, 1981. $39.50.
Brown, Colin. Dictionary of New Testament Theology. 3 vols. 19.75-78 plus index vol. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans. $124.95.
Theological Wordbook of the Old Testament, ed. R. Laird Harris, Gleason L. Archer, Jr., Bruce K. Waltke. 2 vols. {109} Chicago: Moody Press, 1980. $49.95. Words are categorized according to major Hebrew roots. Contains an index linked with Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible.
Theological Dictionary of the Old Testament, ed. G. Johannes Botterweck and Helmer Ringren, Volumes I-VI (in process). Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1974. $35.00 per volume. Entries are organized by the Hebrew alphabet; comprehensive and detailed.
History and Survey and Theology:
Old Testament History and Survey: Bright, John. A History of Israel. Philadelphia: Westminster, 1981 (1959) $18.95. A moderately critical approach to the history of Israel.
Merrill, Eugene. Kingdom of Priests: A History of Old Testament. Grand Rapids: Baker, 1987. $24.95. An evangelical study; scholarly, up to date with fine footnotes for further study.
LaSor, W.S., D.A. Hubbard, and F.W. Bush. Old Testament Survey. Eerdmans, 1982.$24.95.
Old Testament Theology:
Martens, Elmer A. God’s Design: A Focus on Old Testament Theology. Baker, 1981. $12.95.
Childs, B.S. Old Testament Theology in a Canonical Context. Fortress, 1986. $17.95.
New Testament History and Survey:
Bruce, FF. New Testament History. New York: Doubleday, 1972. $9.95.
Hiebert, D. Edmond. Introduction to New Testament. 3 vols. Chicago: Moody, 1975, 1977. $12.95 each.
Gundry, R.H. A Survey of the New Testament. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1970. $20.95.
Guthrie, D. New Testament Introduction. Downers Grove, I1: InterVarsity, 1971. $34.95. {110}
Johnson, Luke T. The Writings of the New Testament: An Interpretation. Fortress, 1986. $19.95.
New Testament Theology:
Ladd, G.E. A Theology of the New Testament. Eerdmans, 1974. $24.95.
Morris, L. New Testament Theology. Zondervan, 1986. $20.95.
Computer Helps:
Hughes, John J. Bits, Bytes and Biblical Studies: A Resource Guide for the Use of Computers in Biblical and Classical Studies. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1988. $35.95.
COMMENTARY SETS
1 volume:
The Evangelical Commentary on the Bible. W.A. Elwell (gen. ed.), Grand Rapids: Baker, 1989. Highly recommended so as to have some overview on each Bible book. $9.95.
Harper’s Bible Commentary. Harper & Row, 1988. $34.95.
Commentary series:
If you buy a complete set, we suggest TOTC and TNTC (economy, evangelical, scholarly, brevity) with NICOT and NICNT as a second choice (evangelical, comprehensive). Third choice would be EBC.
| BCBC | Believer’s Church Bible Commentary. Elmer Martens, Willard Swartley, (eds.). Scottdale: Herald Press, 1986. (In process; 2 vols. available.) For use by pastors and Sunday School teachers. Especially geared to help toward preaching. | |
| DSB | The Daily Study Bible. John C.L. Gibson (gen. ed.). 24 vols. $325/cl.; $179/p. Conservative and evangelical; writing is at advanced, but still popular level. | |
| EBC | Expositor’s Bible Commentary. FE. Gaebelein (gen. ed.). Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1976-1991. Each volume {111} is ca. $30.00. 12 vols. (7 vols. in OT). A variety of theological perspectives on Books of OT/NT. | |
| INT | Interpretation: A Bible Commentary for Teaching and Preaching. James L. Mays (gen. ed.). Atlanta: John Knox. Positions on literary and historical matters are mildly critical; aims toward the more theological. | |
| LBI | Library of Biblical Interpretation. Grand Rapids: Zondervan. | |
| NICOT | New International Commentary on the Old Testament. R.K. Harrison, (gen. ed.). Grand Rapids: Eerdmans. | |
| OTL | Old Testament Library. Ackroyd, Peter, Bernhard W. Anderson, James Barr, James D. Mays (eds.). Louisville: Westminster. | |
| TOTC | Tyndale O. T. Commentary. Wiseman, D.A. (gen. ed.). Downers Grove: InterVarsity. Good scholarship, not overly technical. $179.00. | |
| TNTC | Tyndale N.T. Commentary. Morris, Leon (gen. ed.). Downers Grove: InterVarsity. $159.95. | |
| WBC | Word Biblical Commentary. Hubbard, D.A. and G.W. Barker (gen. eds.). Waco: Word, 1984. Not consistently evangelical, offers original translation, with notes for the scholar separated from popularly written material. |
COMMENTARIES—OLD TESTAMENT
Genesis
Brueggemann, Walter. Genesis. INT, 1982.$23.95.
Roop, Eugene. Genesis. BCBC, 1987. TH CONS. $17.95.
Exodus
Childs, Brevard S. The Book of Exodus. OTL, 1974.$27.95. {112}
Leviticus
Wenham, Gordon J. The Book of Leviticus. NICOT, 1979. $24.95
Numbers
Wenham, Gordon J. Numbers: An Introduction and a Commentary. TOTC, 1981. $14.95/cl.; $8.95/p.
Joshua
Woudstra, Marten H. The Book of Joshua. NICOT, 1981. $24.95.
Judges
Cundall, Arthur E. Judges and Ruth, “Judges” TOTC, 1968. $14.95/cl.; $8.95/p.
Ruth
Morris, Leon. Judges and Ruth, “Ruth” TOTC, 1968. $14.95/cl.; $8.95/p.
Hubbard, Robert L. Jr. The Book of Ruth. NICOT, 1988. $26.95.
Samuel
Baldwin, Joyce G. 1 and 2 Samuel. TOTC, 1988. $14.94/cl.; $8.95/p.
Anderson, A.A. 2 Samuel. WBC, 1989. $124.95.
Kings
Patterson, R.D. and Hermann J. Austel. 1, 2 Kings. EBC 4:3300. $32.95.
Chronicles
Braun, Roddy. 1 Chronicles. WBC, 1986.$24.95.
Dillard, Ray. 2 Chronicles. WBC, 1988.$24.95. {113]
Ezra-Nehemiah
Fensham, F. Charles. The Book of Ezra, Neherniah. NICOT, 1982. $19.95.
Williamson, H.G.M. Ezra, Nehemiah. WBC, 1985. $24.95.
Esther
Baldwin, Joyce G. Esther TOTC, 1984. $14.95/cl.; $8.95/p.
Job
Hartley, John E. The Book of Job. NICOT, 1988.$27.95.
Habel, Norman C. The Book of Job. OTL, 1985. $39.95.
Anderson, Francis I. Job. TOTC, 1976. $14.95/cl.; $8.95/p.
Psalms
Allen, Leslie C. Psalms. 101-150. WBC, 1983.$24.95.
Craigie, Peter C. Psalms. 1-50. WBC, 1983.$24.95.
Kidner, Derek. Psalms. TOTC, 1975. 2 vols. $14.95/cl.; $8.95/p.
Proverbs
Kidner, Derek. Proverbs. TOTC, 1964. $8.95.
Alden, Robert L. Proverbs: A Commentary on an Ancient Book of Timeless Advice. Grand Rapids: Baker, 1989. $8.95.
Ecclesiastes
Eaton, Michael E. Ecclesiastes. TOTC, 1983. $14.95/cl; $8.95/p.
Song of Solomon
Carr, G. Lloyd. The Song of Solomon. TOTC, 1984. $14.95/cl.; $8.95/p.
Isaiah
Oswalt, John N. The Book of Isaiah: Chapters 1-39. NICOT, 1986. $29.95. {114}
Westermann, Claus. Isaiah 40-66. OTL, 1975.$21.95.
Jeremiah
Martens, Elmer A. Jeremiah. BCBC, 1986.$17.95.
Thompson, J.A. The Book of Jeremiah. NICOT, 1980. $29.95.
Clements, Jeremiah. INT, 1988. $17.95.
Lamentations
Ellison, H.L. Lamentations. EBC 6:695-733. $32.95.
Harrison, R.K. Jeremiah and Lamentations. TOTC, 1973. $14.95/cl.; $8.95/p.
Ezekiel
Craigie, Peter C. Ezekiel. DSB, 1983. $14.95/cl.; $7.95/p.
Eichrodt, Walther. Ezekiel. OTL, 1970.$22.95.
Taylor, John B. Ezekiel: An Introduction and Commentary. TOTC, 1969. $14.95/cl.; $8.95/p.
Daniel
Baldwin, Joyce G. Daniel. TOTC, 1978. $14.95/cl.; $8.95/p.
Goldingay, John E. Daniel. WBC, 1987.$24.95.
Minor Prophets
Stuart, Douglas. Hosea-Jonah. WBC, 1987. $24.95. (The Best).
Limburg, James. Hosea-Micah. INT, 1988.$17.95.
Achtemeier, Elizabeth. Nahum-Malachi. INT, 1986. $17.95.
Hosea
Mays, James L. Hosea. OTL, 1969. $15.95.
Joel
Allen, Leslie C. The Books of Joel, Obadiah, Jonah and Micah. NICOT, 1976. $24.95
Amos
Smith, Gary V. Amos: A Commentary. LBI, 1988. $17:95.
Mays, J.L. Amos. Westminster, 1969. $15.95.
Obadiah
Baker, David. “Obadiah,” in Obadiah, Jonah, Micah. TOTC, 1988. $14.95/cl.; $8.95/p.
Allen, Leslie C. The Books of Joel, Obadiah, Jonah and Micah. NICOT, 1976. $24.95.
Jonah
Allen, Leslie C. The Books of Joel, Obadiah, Jonah and Micah. NICOT, 1976. $24.95.
Micah
Waltke, Bruce. “Micah,” in Obadiah, Jonah, Micah. TOTC, 1988. $14.95/cl.; $8.95/p.
Allen, Leslie C. The Books of Joel, Obadiah, Jonah and Micah. NICOT, 1976. $24.95.
Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah
Baker, David. Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah. TOTC, 19. $14.95/cl.; $8.95/p.
Robertson, O. Palmer. The Books of Nahum, Habakkuk, and Zephaniah. NICOT, 1990. $28.95.
Haggai, Zechariah, Malachi
Baldwin, Joyce. Haggai, Zechariah, Malachi. TOTC, 1972. $14.95/cl.; $8.95/p.
Kaiser, Walter. Malachi: God’s Unchanging Love. Baker, 1984. $6.95. {116}
COMMENTARIES—NEW TESTAMENT
Matthew
Carson, D.A. Expositor’s Bible Commentary. Vol. VIII. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1984. (Bound with Mark and Luke) $32.95.
Kingsbury, J.D. Matthew as Story. Philadelphia: Fortress Press, 1988. (Helpful for preaching) $10.95.
Mark
Lane, W. Mark. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1973. (Conservative) $27.95.
Swartley, W. Mark: The Way for All Nations. Scottdale, PA: Herald Press, 1981. (Fascinating Study Guide) $9.95.
Hurtado, Larry W. Mark. Harper & Row, 1983.
Luke
Talbert, C.H. Reading Luke. New York: Crossroads, 1982. (Insights from Literary Study) $10.95.
Marshall, I.H. The Gospel of Luke. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1978. (Very detailed) $37.50.
John
Brown, R.E. The Gospel According to John. 2 vols. New York: Doubleday, 1966, 1970. (Many insights) $22.00.
Morris, L. The Gospel of John. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1970. (Traditional) $29.95.
Acts
Marshall, I.H. The Acts of the Apostles. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1980. (The Best) $9.95.
Talbert, C. Acts. Atlanta: John Knox, 1984. (Preaching Suggestions) $6.95.
Romans
Dunn, J.D.G. Romans. 2 vols. Word Biblical Commentary. Word, 1988. (Very detailed) $24.95. {117}
Morris, Leon. The Epistle to the Romans. Eerdmans, 1988. (Traditional, highly recommended) $29.90.
1 and 2 Corinthians
Fee, Gordon. The First Epistle to the Corinthians. New International Commentary. Eerdmans, 1988. (Very detailed, highly recommended) $29.95.
Martin, R.P 2 Corinthians. Word Biblical Commentary. Word, 1986. $24.95.
Talbert, Charles. Reading Corinthians. Crossroads, 1987. $15.95.
Galatians
Bruce, F.F. Commentary on Galatians. New International Greek Testament Commentary. Eerdmans, 1982. (Very traditional) $24.95.
Betz, H.D. Galatians. Hermenia. Fortress, 1979. (Detailed and critical) $29.95.
Ephesians
Barth, Markus. Ephesians. 2 vols. Anchor Bible. Doubleday, 1974. (Very detailed) $22.00.
Stott, John R.W. God’s New Society. InterVarsity, 1979. $9.95.
Philippians
Hawthorne, Gerald F. Philippians. Word Biblical Commentary. Word, 1983. $24.95.
Colossians
Brien, Peter. Colossians, Philemon. Word Biblical Commentary. Word, 1982. $24.95.
1 and 2 Thessalonians
Best, Ernest. A Commentary on the First and Second Epistles of the Thessalonians. Harper, 1972. $19.95. {118}
Hiebert, D. Edmond. The Thessalonian Epistles. Moody, 1971 (revised edition forthcoming)
Pastoral Letters
Fee, Gordon. 1 and 2 Timothy, Titus. Good News Commentary. Harper, 1984. $9.95.
Hebrews
Bruce, F.F. Commentary on the Epistle to the Hebrews. New International Commentary. Eerdmans, 1964. $22.95.
Hagner, Donald A. Hebrews. Good News Commentary. Harper, 1983.
James
Martin, Ralph. James. Word Biblical Commentary. Word, 1988. $24.95.
Davids, Peter. Commentary on James. New International Greek Testament Commentary. Eerdmans. $19.95.
Hiebert, D. Edmond. The Epistle of James: Tests of a living faith. Moody, 1979. (revised edition forthcoming) $13.95.
1 Peter
Michaels, J. Ramsey. 1 Peter. Word Biblical Commentary. Word, 1988.
Hiebert, D. Edmond. First Peter. Moody, 1984. (revised edition forthcoming)
2 Peter and Jude
Bauckham, Richard J. 2 Peter and Jude. Word Biblical Commentary. Word, 1983. $24.95.
Hiebert, D. Edmond. Second Peter and Jude. Unusual Publication, 1989. $12.95.
1, 2, 3 John
Marshall, I. Howard. The Epistles of John. New International Commentary. Eerdmans, 1978. $19.95.
Smalley, Stephen S. 1, 2, 3 John. Word Biblical Commentary. Word, 1984. $24.95. {119}
Revelation
Mounce, Robert H. The Book of Revelation. New International Commentary. Eerdmans, 1977. $22.95.
Beasley-Murray, G.R. The Book of Revelation. New Century Bible. Attic Press, 1974. $12.95.
Ewert, David. The Church Under Fire: Studies in Revelation. Winnipeg/Hillsboro: Kindred Press, 1988.
