Matthew Through OT Eyes

As one studies any book of the Bible, it is always beneficial to include knowledge of the background information of that book. It will always enhance the understanding and appreciation. And, if that book is part of the New Testament, it is highly advantageous to understand how the Old Testament might have influenced the writing of that book. It is also vital to understand that background information can include a wide range of subject areas.

This is the point at which Matthew Through Old Testament Eyes is so valuable. This volume explores one aspect of the background information field – the rich influence that the Old Testament contributed to the first Gospel. It answers the question of what was Matthew thinking when he compiled his account of the life of Jesus.

This volume is the fifth in a series published by Kregel Academic and is written by David B. Capes, a former professor and current Executive Director of the Lanier Theological Library. Capes’ knowledge of the subject area is extensive and comes to the forefront as he guides us through the influence of the Old Testament within the Gospel of Matthew.

To give an example, consider this: Why did Matthew open his gospel with a genealogy of Jesus Christ? Capes presents some scriptural facts and personal thoughts on this question. And what about the Sermon on the Mount? Did Matthew simply take notes and then transfer them into his gospel? Capes examines this in detail.

This is not a typical or “stock” commentary in which one finds each and every verse dissected and explained. Rather, the author leads us back into the Old Testament to help us understand what the author was thinking when compiling his Gospel. It is a fascinating journey and one would be well equipped to have a Bible at the ready.

Matthew Through OT Eyes may not be for every Christian but it is certainly for all pastors and teachers of the Word. At the same time, any believer who desires a deeper understanding and appreciation of Matthew should engage with this commentary. It will definitely enhance one’s knowledge and understanding of Scripture and contribute to the teaching environment.

This book was provided to me by Kregel Academic for a fair and honest review.

Have You Heard from God Lately

It is seldom that we at The Christian Book Review Blog present books from outside the realm of academic publishing. However, when requested to review Keon Lindsey’s latest, Have You Heard from God Lately: 30 Messages from Heaven to You, we readily accepted.

Lindsey is not a biblical scholar in the purest sense. Yet, he has well-respected academic credentials. He is simply a man who loves the Lord, studies the Scriptures with great determination and purpose, and likes to write about what God has taught him. One can easily tell that this book follows that pattern.

First a word of reassurance. Don’t be put off by the title. This volume is not about a new revelation that Lindsey has received from God. All of Lindsey’s comments are heavily supported by Scripture and Scripture alone. Furthermore, they are theologically conservative.

Have You Heard from God Lately falls into several classifications. First, and foremost, it is evangelistic. Whether you are a born-again Christian or not, one cannot read this volume without making a self-examination of one’s relationship with God. As alluded to the book has a heavy dependence on Scripture with Lindsay’s thoughts pertaining to that Scripture, all of which are theologically conservative.

Second, with thirty short chapters (most are 4-6 pages), this book is an ideal devotional. It does not take a great period of time or involve extensive mental gymnastics to read and digest Lindsey’s thoughts. It would serve well as a family devotional or perhaps even a volume for a Sunday School class.

Third, it is theology light. The theology focuses mainly on the doctrine of God and His characteristics and attributes. But don’t be frightened by the word “theology.” There is no heavy-duty theological impetus. Lindsey simply explains who God is and why He loves us, supporting all of his beliefs with Scripture.

I would highly recommend this book for all Christians. I found it ideal for new believers who desire to engage with the Bible without getting overloaded with theology.

Check this out on Amazon.

Disclaimer: This volume was provided to me by Keon Lindsey for a fair and honest review.

40 Questions About Bible Translation

What is Bible Translation? Do we even think about it when we pick up our Bible and begin to read? Do we even realize how much care and effort has been put into the translation that we hold in our hands? The bottom line is that the translation which we rely on should be reliable. And the way that we get that reliability and confidence is to have knowledge of the translation process.

That is exactly what what 40 Questions About Bible Translation does. The book is authored by Mark L. Strauss, PhD, Professor of New Testament at Bethel Seminary. The list of his scholarly works is voluminous. These forty questions are a brief course on the science and art of Bible translation.

Strauss covers virtually all aspects. One might think that Bible translation is as simple as going from one language to another, but we learn that it is way more than that. And Strauss explains the nuances of the process using a multitude of scriptural examples along the way. Regardless of what one may think he knows about this subject, this volume will be highly instructive.

Strauss educates us on all aspects of Bible translation not just the intricacies of going from one language to another. And this is not a technical volume. There are eight questions on the history of Bible translation into English. He follows that subject area with six questions on contemporary English versions and four on international Bible translation. With this organization in mind, one does not have to begin with question #1, but can move to a particular subject area of interest.

40 Questions About Bible Translation is one of the more informative and valuable volumes in the 40 Questions Series from Krhttps://www.kregel.com/egel. It is a must-read for all pastors, teachers and really all believers. It is so well documented that it could quite easily serve as a textbook for a Bible College or seminary.

Disclaimer: This volume was provided to me by Kregel Academic for a fair and honest review.

40 Questions About the Apostle Paul

In many ways, the Apostle Paul is an enigmatic character found in the pages of the New Testament. Almost every Christian knows that his missionary endeavors can be found in the book of Acts and that he wrote approximately half of the New Testament and that he traveled much of the known world to spread the Gospel. Unfortunately, most Christians know only these basic facts about Paul. They know little about his background, the details of his writings and his theology.

To the rescue comes 40 Questions About the Apostle Paul. In a most dedicated effort to relieve some of the ambiguity concerning Paul, PhD’s Miguel G. Echevarria and Benjamin P. Laird, both New Testament scholars, have produced a compelling book surveying the three areas listed above. This is a volume that will tease the investigative knowledge of every believer.

While the book is comprehensive, it is not overwhelmingly detailed. This is not the final word on Paul. It is a “starter” volume that is designed to stimulate supplementary study. Fortunately, the authors provide a two-page “Select Resources for Further Study” that will assist in further research on Paul. However, as one reads this book, it is recommended to have a Bible at the ready to lookup the multitude of scripture references that are provided.

And, the authors are not afraid to deal with controversial questions. For instance, Question 16 queries, “Did Paul Write the Letter to the Hebrews?” Their answer might surprise you.

This is the twenty-fourth volume in the “40 Questions” series published by Kregel Academic. Each one follows the same general format focusing on a biblical or religious topic. All are written by top-notch scholars. Every volume should be in the library of every pastor and teacher.

This particular volume is not just for pastors and teachers, but it is also highly recommended for all Christians. This book should become required reading for all students of the Bible. Any college or seminary course that touches slightly on Paul and his letters should have 40 Questions About the Apostle Paul on the reading list. It will provide a new appreciation for the Apostle Paul and generate motivation to investigate the man even further.

This volume was provided to me by Kregel Academic for a fair and honest review.

40 Questions About Interpreting the Bible

How one interprets the Bible determines one’s theology. This cannot be denied. Errant interpretation can quickly lead to an eternity separated from God. And, sadly, most Christians have limited skill in Bible interpretation. Methods of interpretation for most believers encompass a wide spectrum with little consistency.

That is why this book, 40 Questions About Interpreting the Bible, is so vital for every Christian. The volume, now in its second edition, is written by Robert L. Plummer, PhD. Plummer teaches at the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. This is the second edition to which more has been added.

40 Questions About Interpreting the Bible is an all-inclusive volume. It is divided into four sections. Part 1 lays the groundwork with some general information about the Bible, a brief summation of bibliology. This is a section that some Christians may be able to browse through. However, parts 2-4 are a must-read. Part 2 begins the journey into biblical interpretation answering some general questions to include a two-part question on “General Questions for Interpreting the Bible.” In part 3 Plummer gets specific dealing with such subjects as proverbs, poetry, figures of speech and the like. Part 4 focuses on the practical aspects of interpretation.

Bear in mind that this volume is not a be-all and end-all textbook on hermeneutics. It is a primer and, if I may, a teaser to inspire the reader to examine further the subject at hand. Despite the fact that biblical interpretation can be a complex subject, Plummer does not bog one down with “ivory tower talk. Rather, his style is straightforward and simplistic. One does not need a theological dictionary at the ready to digest the information. And it is not designed to be read beginning at question one and straight through to question forty. One can judiciously select the sections of immediate interest.

40 Questions About Interpreting the Bible is a must-read and study for every pastor and teacher and every Christian who is serious about Bible study. I recommend this book as a text for an extended study in any Sunday School or independent Bible study group.

This volume was provided to me by Kregel Academic for a fair and honest review.

Exploring the Old Testament Book by Book

What is your knowledge of the Old Testament? Do you have a grasp on the basics of each of the thirty-nine books included in approximately three-quarters of the Bible? If you are a little light on your facts and principles, here is the perfect book: Exploring the Old Testament Book by Book: An Expository Survey.

The volume is part of the John Phillips Commentary Series published by Kregel Academic & Professional, a division of Kregel Publications. There are thirty-six in the series (my count), each one dealing with a book of the Bible or an aspect of Scripture. There are no frivolous volumes in this series. Each one has been diligently researched.

Yes, there are countless Old Testament surveys and introductions available, but this one is different. Yes, it does present most of the common material, but it is the presentation that makes it so valuable. The book is not written in “ivory tower” language. It reads like it was originally a sermon series. The outlines that are provided for each book are fairly detailed and written in alliteration, a masterpiece of alliteration. The facts and contents are expressed in a story-telling language making the book understandable for all believers. Also, Phillips’ commentary follows the structure of his outline, making the task of comprehension quite effortless. In other words it’s each to follow Phillips’ thought pattern.

This is a volume that should be on the bookshelf of every Christian regardless of the level of theological education. It will be especially valuable to pastors and teachers but should not be ignored by all who love Scripture. It will definitely add to one’s knowledge of Scripture.

Disclaimer: This volume was provided to me by Kregel Publications for a fair and honest review.

40 Questions About the Text and Canon of the New Testament

It would not be an exaggeration to state that most Christians have little knowledge concerning how their Bibles came to be. They faithfully accept that the sixty-six books they find in their Bibles are just how they should be. But the question they should be asking is this: How did the Bible come to contain sixty-six books and not 64 or 67 or 70? Or, in the case of our current examination, how did the New Testament in particular wind up with twenty-seven books? That is the question that the authors tackle in 40 Questions About the Text and Canon of the New Testament.

This volume is another in the 40 Questions series published by Kregel Academic. This outstanding series deals with a myriad of Bible and theology topics from a biblically conservative point of view. (You can find several reviews of the 40 Questions series on this blog.) This book was written by Charles L. Quarles and L. Scott Kellum, both PhDs and professors at Southern Baptist Seminaries. Both men are obviously deep into the subject of textual criticism.

As the title indicates, the book is divided into two primary sections: The Text of the New Testament and The Canon of the New Testament. Each section contains twenty questions covering various aspects of the subject area, sometimes with great technicality. Still, this is a highly informative book despite the fact that at times it does get bogged down in excessive detail. But if textual criticism is your biblical thing, you will find this most intriguing.

This book is profoundly recommended for pastors and teachers. It is a necessity for those two groups to have a working knowledge of this subject area. Additionally, this book is worthwhile to simply read through just for the vast amount of instruction presented. And it will also function well as a reference volume. Further, I would recommend this book to all Christians. (You can breeze through the more detailed discussions.) It will serve well to strengthen one’s faith in the Word.

Disclaimer: This volume was provided to me by Kregel Academic for a fair and honest review.

The Emotions of God

Have you ever contemplated whether or not God has emotions? Well, whether or not you have, the fact of the matter is He does. And quite a few of them when you do the research. And, that is what this book is all about – a study of the emotions of God and how the believer can relate to those emotions.

The book is titled The Emotions of God: Making Sense of a God Who Hates, Weeps, and Loves. (Yes, that’s a mouthful.) It is authored by David T. Lamb (Doctor of Philosophy, University of Oxford), the Allan A. MacRae Professor of Old Testament and dean of faculty at Missio Seminary (formerly Biblical Theological Seminary) in Philadelphia. It is published by InterVarsity Press.

So, should we be fearful? Should we take comfort? Should we stand back and let God do His thing? These are the questions that Lamb examines. He does this by examining seven emotions that are expressly stated in Scripture – three negative and four positive.

It’s a serious read but it’s also a fun read. It’s a serious read because Lamb will educate you in your knowledge of God’s emotions. Most Christians don’t connect the words “God” and “emotions.” Lamb does and demonstrates why they go together. But, it’s also a fun read. Lamb sprinkles every chapter with personal anecdotes to illustrate what he’s trying to get across.

Lamb’s style is also light and easy to read. He does away with the scholarly jargon making the book accessible to all Christians. However, I would not recommend it as a “fast” read. To get the maximum benefit from the book, I would suggest taking the time to absorb all that Lamb presents.

So here’s who should read this book: believers who desire to know their God better and nonbelievers who think God is some kind of grouchy old man just waiting for you to err so He can zap you. Everyone will gain knowledge and practical application.

Disclaimer: This volume was provided to me by IVP for a fair and honest review.

1 & 2 Kings

I would surmise it to be a reliable estimation that a small percentage of Christians have much knowledge of the historical books of the Old Testament, in this case specifically 1&2 Kings. And, further, I would feel safe to say that few preachers have ventured into these books for a series of Sunday sermons.

This is where the Kerux Commentaries, published by Kregel Ministry, become most valuable. These are commentaries specifically designed and written for preachers and teachers. The one here is 1 & 2 Kings: A Commentary for Biblical Preaching and Teaching.

These commentaries do not get bogged down in the technical aspects of authorship, dating and the like, although there is a short discussion of such material. Rather, the introductory material focuses on background information such as history and culture. This is information that makes the biblical account come to life, particularly true in the world of the Old Testament. This is appropriate substance for understanding the text.

Each of the Kerux Commentaries follows a familiar and helpful pattern. Without presenting a laundry list, suffice it to say that there is exegetical information and preaching suggestions. The exegetical information dives into the original language helping to explain linguistic nuances. (It would be beneficial to have some knowledge of Hebrew although it is not a requirement.) The preaching suggestions are rich with outlines and practical application. This volume on 1 & 2 Kings follows the pattern perfectly.

1&2 Kings is the fourth Old Testament volume in the series. The only question I have with this volume is its timing of publication. Why not publish 1&2 Samuel prior to 1&2 Kings? It would be more chronological and logical.

Despite that one question, this (as well as others in the Kerux Series) should be in every preaches and teachers library. It is a valuable educational and time-saving resource. However, it is not solely for the preacher and teacher. Avid Bible students will find this volume most profitable in their study of the Old Testament.

Disclaimer: This volume was provided to me by Kregel Publications for a fair and honest review.

40 Questions about Prayer

What, another book about prayer?! There have been hundreds (perhaps thousands) of books published on the topic of prayer, some classics, some not so much.

How is your prayer life? How much do you know about prayer? Do you have questions about prayer? If these are questions you have, a most worthwhile volume has arrived. It’s one you don’t want to miss.

Kregel Academic has just published another volume in its 40 Questions series. 40 Questions about Prayer may be the most practical one yet. It is chock-full of down-to-earth questions and answers on the subject of prayer. While other volumes within the series have dealt with subjects such a theology (here) and other religions (here), this one is the absolute best for all Christians. (You can find several reviews of the 40 Questions series on this blog.)

The author of this volume is Joseph C. Harrod, a PhD in biblical spirituality who teaches at the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. Harrod takes his experience and expertise and converts it into pragmatic teaching. He avoids the technical, theological jargon of the ivory tower and presents the reader with realistic answers. Most of the chapters are brief, four to six pages, although some do stretch out a bit longer. Yet, it is an easy book to read, digest and put into practice.

Prayer is one of the central elements of the Christian life; it is critical and indispensable. We cannot exhaust our knowledge of this form of worship and this book is the perfect primer for those looking to increase their knowledge of prayer and thus strengthen their prayer life. At the same time, this is not just the basics of prayer. It is also useful for mature believers and pastors will find it beneficial for teaching and preaching.

Regardless of where one is in the Christian life, do not pass on this book. Put it in your library!

Disclaimer: This volume was provided to me by Kregel Academic for a fair and honest review.