Been There Read That

Devotional Vs. Intellectual Reading Strategies

What is the purpose of devotional reading?  Is devotional reading a valid practice?  Are there good materials to encourage devotional reading?  What is the main difference between devotional reading and intellectual reading?  What should be the main focus of intellectual reading? What are some good practices to follow when reading critically?  What challenges should you present to yourself when reading critically?  These and other great questions are discussed in today's episode.

Books Recommendation in This Episode: (Hyperlinks provided)

Granville Tyler Workbooks
New Testament Questions by E. M. Zerr
Mrs. Lee’s Bible Stories
Psalms by the Day by Alec Motyer
The Parables by Simon J. Kistemaker
The Miracles by Simon J. Kistemaker
Mark: DoubleDay Bible Commentary by R. T. France

 

Researching Leviticus

Today’s episode centers around commentaries on the book of Leviticus.  While searching for a good commentary to provide a sound structure, big picture, and thorough introduction to Leviticus, Nathan discovered both positive components and problematic pitfalls in a number of commentaries.  His research ultimately lead him to what will hopefully be a worthwhile commentary to add to any library.

Commentaries discussed in this episode include: 

New International Commentary on Leviticus by Gordon J. Wenham
Leviticus, A Commentary by James E. Smith
Mentor Commentary: Leviticus by Robert Vasholz
Holiness to the Lord: A Guide to the Exposition of the Book of Leviticus by Allen P. Ross
Bible Speaks Today Commentary: Leviticus by Derek Tidball
New American Commentary: Leviticus by Mark F. Rooker
Tablets of Stone by John Reisinger
Who Shall Ascend the Mountain of the Lord by L. Michael Morales
Tyndale Old Testament Commentary: Leviticus by R. K. Harrison
Tyndale Old Testament Commentary: Leviticus by Jay Sklar

Bad Guys: Authors to Avoid

In this week's episode we provide a list of a "dirty dozen" dangerous authors to avoid when building your library.  Rather than merely naming the authors, we have also provided a brief discussion of the positions they hold that make them dangerous.  Our list includes:

John MacArthur
John Piper
John Stott
John Goldingay
Water Bruggemann
Robert Alter
Hugh Ross
C. John Collins
Julius Wellhausen
Steve Moyse
Don Preston
Edward Fudge

Recommended Reads:
Focus on the Bible Commentary: Genesis by Richard P. Belcher Jr.
The Gagging of God by D. A. Carson

Current Reads and More Reading Tips

In this week's episode we share a few more reading tips and discuss the following books that are on my current reading list:

The Spirit and the Word by J. C. Holloway
The Life of Christ by R. C. Foster
What the Old Testament Authors Really Cared About by Jason S. DeRouchie

Love Your God With All Your Mind by J. P. Moreland
Handbook to the New Testament Use of the Old Testament by G. K. Beale
From Paradise to the Promised Land by T. Desmond Alexander

1 & 2 Chronicles by Richard L. Pratt ( A Mentor Commentary)
2 Samuel by Dale Ralph Davis (Focus on the Bible Commentary Series)
Christ Centered Exposition: Exalting Jesus in 1+2 Samuel by Heath Thomas and J. D. Grear

Paul Through Mediterranean Eyes by Kenneth E. Bailey
Tyndale Commentary on 1 Corinthians by Thomas Schreiner 

Book Review: Kingdom Come by Sam Storms

This week’s episode contains a review of Sam Storm’s book Kingdom Come.  We have attempted to present an unbiased view of the book while noting both its strengths and shortcomings.

 

Here are books that are recommended as alternative reads to particular areas of study presented within Storm’s work:

• An alternative view to Storm’s position on Daniel’s 70 Weeks Prophecy:
• Kingdom Through Covenant by Peter Gentry

 

• Alternative to Storm’s positon on the Four Kingdoms of Daniel’s Prophecies:
•  A Commentary on Daniel by Homer Hailey
• Daniel by Jim McGuiggan
• The Prophecy of Daniel by Edward J. Young

 

• A better presentation of Matthew 24 from Storm’s point of view:
• New International Commentary on Matthew by R. T. France

 

• An alternative view to Storm’s position on Matthew 24:
• Jesus and the Future by Andreas Kostenberger and Alexander Stewart

 

• Better material on typology:
• A Handbook on the New Testament Use of the Old Testament by G. K. Beale
• Typology in Scripture by Richard M. Davidson

 

• Better material on Romans 11 and the “Future of Israel”:
• Contending For The Faith Commentary on Romans by Alan Bonifey

 

• Referenced material on the subjects of Hell and Eternal Punishment:
• The Gagging of God by D. A. Carson

 

Recommended Viewing:

 

An Evening of Eschatology: Premillennialism, Amillennialism, and Postmillennialism (available on YouTube)

The Anti-Christ by George Battey (available on ChristianLandmark.com)

The Mark of the Beast by George Battey (available on ChristianLandmark.com)

Episode #9: An Interview With George Battey on the Book of Revelation - Part 2

This week's episode centers around a discussion of books to avoid and obtain in studying the Book of Revelation.  Brother George Battey is in the process of writing his own commentary on the Book of Revelation and has done a ton of reading and research in the process.  We are thankful for his willingness to sit down with us and share some of the materials that he has found helpful.

Bad Authors To Avoid:
John Walvoord
Dwight Pentecost
John MacArthur
Clarence Larkin
Jerry Jenkins
Tim LaHaye
John Hagee
Don Preston
Max King
 
Introductory Recommendations:
The Woman the Lion and the Dragon by Albertus Pieters
The Returning King by Vern Poythress
Between the Cross and the Throne by Matthew Emerson
Kingdom Come by Sam Storms
A Case For Amillennialism by Kim Riddlebarger
 
Intermediate Recommendations:
The Triumph of the Lamb by Dennis Johnson
The Revelation of John a Narrative Commentary by James L. Resseguie
The Drama of Christianity by S. L. Morris
Behold the Revelation of Jesus Christ by James E. Smith
The Message of Revelation by Michael Wilcock
More Than Conquerors by William Hendriksen
ESV Expository Commentary on Revelation by Thomas R. Schreiner
The Expositor’s Bible on Revelation  by William Milligan
Lectures of the Apocalypse by William Milligan
 
Advanced Recommendations:
New International Greek Testament Commentary on Revelation by G. K. Beale
Revelation: A Shorter Commentary by G. K. Beale
A Theology of the Book of Revelation by Richard Bauckham
The Climax of Prophecy by Richard Bauckham
The Revelation of St. John by G. B. Caird
The Revelation of St. John by R. C. H. Lenski
The Pulpit Commentary on Revelation by Alfred Plummer

Episode #8: An Interview With George Battey on the Book of Revelation - Part 1

In today’s episode we have our first guest interview. Evangelist and author Brother George Battey (my father) joins us to discuss the Book of Revelation. Brother Battey is currently writing a commentary of the Book of Revelation and shares with us some helpful historical and theological information regarding this challenging book of the Bible. Topics discussed include:

• The historical background of each of the major interpretive approaches to the Book of Revelation and their origins
• Distinctions between Historical and Dispensational Premillennialism
• Distinctions between Moderate and Full Preterism
• Distinctions between Premillennial, Postmillennial, and Amillennial views of the Millennium
• Authors to avoid in your studies
• How the different interpretive approaches to Revelation have affected churches of Christ historical and which ones pose the greatest threats in the present. 

Be sure to join us again next week for part two of this interview where Brother George will review both helpful and problematic commentaries on the Book of Revelation.

Episode #7: Don't Waste Your Money

In this week's episode we discuss keys to building your library wisely on a budget. Tips include utilizing free books, selling books you don't use, knowing what a good price is for a book, how to assess a book you are not familiar with, how and where to find book reviews, and how to target/discover good books.

 

Books discussed in this episode includes:

The Preacher and His Work by Jack Meyer Sr.

Old Testament Commentary Survey by Tremper Longman III.

New Testament Commentary Survey by D. A. Carson

Episode #6: Reading Assignment, Sabbath and Creation Discussion

Episode #6 discusses the pros and cons of the weekly reading assignment in T. Desmond Alexander’s book From Paradise to the Promised Land. Two issues that surfaced in the assignment were the concept of a corrupted creation through man’s fall and keeping the Sabbath ordinance of the Old Testament. Reading recommendations related to these two issues included:

 

Books Recommended:

God’s Good Earth by Jon Garvey

Sabbath Day or Lords Day by George Battey (available on ChristianResearcher.com)

The Believer’s Sabbath by John G. Reisinger

The Sabbath and the Lord’s Day by H. M. Riggle

Seventh Day Adventism Renounced by D. M. Canright

From Sabbath to Lord’s Day: A Biblical, Historical and Theological Investigation by D. A. Carson

Two other books discussed were:

Creation and Change by Douglas Kelley

Seriously Dangerous Religion: What the Old Testament Really Says and Why it Matters by Iain Provan

Episode #5: Author Highlight: O. Palmer Robertson

Today’s episode shines the spotlight on author O. Palmer Robertson.  Robertson’s major works are introduced and then a full review is given of his two best books.

Books Mentioned:

• Christ of the Prophets
• The Genesis of Sex
• The Israel of God
• The Christ of Wisdom
• The Christ of the Covenants (not recommended)
• The Current Justification Controversy

Books Reviewed and Recommended:

• The Final Word
• God’s People in the Wilderness