Been There Read That

Family Shepherds by Vodie Baucham Jr.

Today's episode contains a review of Vodie Baucham Jr.'s book Family Shepherds. Baucham's book serves as a primer on parenting with a focus on the role, work, and influence of fathers. We discuss pros, cons, strengths, weaknesses, and overall content.  Our review does not contain a full chapter-by-chapter breakdown, but it does discuss the major themes of the book. In our final assessment we give it a 6/10.

New Testament Introductions / Surveys

New Testament Surveys
Today’s episode discusses New Testament Surveys on an introductory, intermediate, and advanced level. Titles and authors discussed include:

 

Beginner’s Level:

New Testament Books Made Simple by James E. Smith(Two other volumes in this series include Old Testament History Made Simple and Old Testament Books Made Simple)

Heart of the New Testament by H. I. Hester

The New Testament Book by Book by Roy Cogdill

 

Intermediate Level:

Waldron Three Year Study Set

New Testament Commentary by Wayne Jackson

The Cradle, The Cross, and The Crown by Kostenberger, Kellum, and Quarrles

An Introduction to the New Testament by Carson and Moo

 

Mixed Bags:

Survey of the New Testament by Robert Gundry

Popular Survey of the New Testament by Norman Geisler

 

Individual Book Surveys:

God With Us: An Introduction to Matthew by D. A. Carson

Between the Cross and the Throne by Matthew Emerson (An Introduction to Revelation)

 

Advanced Surveys: New Testament Theologies

A Theology of Matthew by Charles Quarrells

The Acts of the Risen Lord Jesus by Allan J. Thompson

Theology of the Book of Revelation by Richard Bauckham

 

Bad Guys: Raymond E. Brown and Bart Ehrman

Big Picture View: Old Testament Surveys & Theologies

Grasping the Big Picture of the Bible is crucial to sound exegesis.  We want to challenge listeners to place yearly emphasis on reading a survey of the Bible (be it an Old Testament Survey, New Testament Survey, or Bible Survey) to not only aid in building their own knowledge of the Bible but to also help in teaching others the Bible's message.   Today's episode focuses exclusively on Old Testament surveys and does so by addressing four categories of books:  Introductory Surveys, Intermediate Surveys, Old Testament Theologies, and Theologies of Individual Books of the Old Testament.  Here is the list of titles discussed in today's episode:

Introductory Surveys:
Introduction to Biblical Studies by James E. Smith
The Heart of Hebrew History by H. I. Hester
A Popular Survey of the Old Testament by Norman Geisler
From Creation to the Day of Eternity by Homer Hailey
Haley's Bible Handbook

Intermediate Surveys:
What the Old Testament Authors Really Cared About by Jason DeRouchie
Old Testament Survey by Paul House
The Message of the Prophets by J. Daniel Hayes
The Faith of Israel by William J. Dumbrell
A Survey of the Old Testament - 5 Volume Set - by James E. Smith
Exploring the Old Testament Series by Various Authors (including Gordon J. Wenham)

Theology of the Old Testament:
Old Testament Theology by Bruce Waltke
Old Testament Theology by Paul House

Mixed Bags: 
Old Testament Theology by John Sailhamer
Theological Interpretation of the Old Testament by Kevin J. Vanhoozer

Bad Guys:
Old Testament Theology by John Goldingay
Old Testament Theology by Gerhard Von Rad

Theology of an Individual Book of the Old Testament:
Who Shall Ascend the Mountain of the Lord by Michael Morales (Theology of Leviticus)
Now Choose Life by J. Gary Millar (Theology of Deuteronomy)
Finding Favor in the Sight of God by Richard P. Belcher Jr. (Theology of Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, & Job)

 

Books That Everyone Owns But Nobody Reads

Today we discuss how people build their libraries and wind up with a lot of books that they don't read.  Beyond discussing individual books and sets found unused in most libraries we discuss issues of why the books were purchased and why they go unused.  We hope this episode will provide listeners with some insights into how to avoid making mistakes in building their libraries, challenge them to read more, and motivate some to finally get around to reading books that they have put off reading for years.

Book Review: The Gospel According to Jonah: Salvation Through Judgment and Mercy by Bryan Estelle

Today’s episode provides a full length review of Bryan D. Estelle’s book Salvation Through Judgment and Mercy: The Gospel According to Jonah. Pick up a copy in our bookstore HERE. Along the way we discuss issues such as historical accuracy, structure, typology, parallelism, turning points, salvation, repentance, open theology, and regression. Estelle’s book brings a neglected gem into the light and causes the reader to marvel at it grandeur. Our hope is that our review will provoke our listeners to pick up a copy of this great resource and rediscover some forgotten truths in God’s Word.

Other Books Referenced include:

Jesus and Jonah by J. W. McGarvey

Handbook on the New Testament Use of the Old Testament by G. K. Beale

A Primer on Exodus Commentaries

Today's episode introduces listeners to some commentaries on the Book of Exodus.  The list of commentaries discussed is by no means exhaustive, but there are some helpful points for those wishing to study this fascinating book of the Bible.  We begin with a discussion of why it is important to study Exodus, and we conclude with a specific look a J. A. Motyer's commentary on Exodus.

Commentaries Referenced:

Devotional Read:
Exodus: The Lord and His Pilgrims

Introductory/Moderate Read
Exodus by J. A. Motyer (Bible Speaks Today Series)
Exodus a Commentary by James E. Smith

More Critical Works:
Commentary on Exodus by Umberto Caussuto
A Commentary on Exodus by Duane Garrett (Kregel Exegetical Library)
New American Commentary on Exodus by Douglas Stuart 
Exodus by T. Desmond Alexander (Apollos Old Testament Commentary Series)
Exodus: A Mentor Commentary by John L. MacKay
Exodus by Bevard Childs (Old Testament Library Series)

 

Zechariah 4 and the Two Olive Trees

In todays episode I discuss some of my recent findings within the books of Revelation and Zechariah.  In Revelation 11:4 the Bible speaks of two witnesses who are represented as  two olive trees and two lampstands.  What is the meaning behind the symbolism of lampstands and olive trees?  The olive tree symbolism of Revelation 11:4 is taken from Zechariah 4, but merely acknowledging the borrowing does not explain the symbolism.  Join us as we discuss this fascinating piece of Biblical prophecy.

Books Referenced:

Zechariah: A Christian Interpretation by James E. Smith 

ESV Expository Commentary on Zechariah by Anthony Peterson

 

To download George Battey's series on the Book of Revelation go to: www.IndyChurchofChrist.com

Commentary Sets: Pros, Cons, and Controversies

In today’s episode we discuss the pros, cons, and controversies surrounding the use of commentary sets. Should we even use commentaries? Should we only use commentaries from a church of Christ background? Are commentary sets more helpful that individual commentaries? These and other questions are address and hopefully the answers provided are helpful.

Books that receive honorable mention include:

Between the Cross and the Throne by Matthew Emmerson
God With Us by D. A. Carson
The Lamb, the Woman, and the Dragon by Albertus Pieters
Worthy is the Lamb by Ray Summers
Contending For the Faith: Matthew by John M. Criswell
New International Greek Testament Commentary on Revelation by G. K. Beale
New International Commentary of the New Testament on Matthew by R. T. France

Book Review with Jamie Thomson: Genesis by Richard P. Belcher Jr.

Jamie Thomson joins today’s episode to discuss Richard P. Belcher’s commentary on Genesis from the Focus on the Bible Commentary Series. We discuss Belcher’s background, the purpose and focus of his commentary, the benefits and hang-ups of his work, and much more in this round-table discussion.

 

Other books mentioned in today’s episode include:

 

Finding Favor in the Sight of God by Richard P. Belcher Jr. (part of the New Studies in Biblical Theology Series)

Isaiah by Alan Harmon (part of the Focus on the Bible Commentary Series)

Joshua-2Kings by Dale Ralph Davis (part of the Focus on the Bible Commentary Series)

The New American Commentary on Genesis by Kenneth Mathews

Do You Know James E. Smith?

Today I want to introduce my listeners to one of my favorite authors: James E. Smith.  
If you are not familiar with Smith's writings it's time to get acquainted.  Smith is a prolific writer on the Old Testament who holds a high view of inspiration and conservative approach to Biblical interpretation.  

Most of the books discussed in today's episode can be found in our bookstore at ChristianResearcher.com and  include:

Biblical Protology
Introduction to Biblical Studies
Bible Survey
A Christian View of the Old Testament
Biblical Typology
The Promised Messiah
Exploring Mt. Zion
Is There Any Word From The Lord?
Biblical Prophetism
Which Books Belong in the Bible?

God's Law Our Compass (This is the one book Smith has written that I do not recommend).