CultureWatch

Bill Muehlenberg's commentary on issues of the day…

1. Jack Sonnemann 13.7.10 / 10pm

   Great list but I was surprised to see John Calvin’s commentaries left out.
   Jack Sonnemann
2. Bill Muehlenberg 13.7.10 / 10pm

   Thanks Jack

   Hey I am with you. But you will have to wait a few more hours until I get the other two articles in this series up. In the first piece I explain the different sorts of commentaries there are, including the golden oldies. Here I have mainly featured the more recent conservative commentaries that deal with the latest on many fronts – historical, archaeological, theological, textual, linguistic, cultural, and so on.

   But yes Calvin’s commentaries (which are really his collected sermons on the books) are always of great value.

   Bill Muehlenberg, CultureWatch
3. Daniel Shepherd 13.7.10 / 11pm

   Wow, I don’t mind the odd commentary or two, could this be a reading list for the entire next millennium?! Do you have a recommended distributor? Can any of these be viewed online, or are these generally still available at most book stores?
   Daniel Shepherd, Victor Harbor SA
4. Bill Muehlenberg 13.7.10 / 11pm

   Thanks Daniel

   Some might be online. Most can be obtained in Australia at Koorong Books, or at amazon.com

   Bill Muehlenberg, CultureWatch
5. Kerry Letheby 14.7.10 / 7am

   Hi Bill,

   John Stott’s stuff is always great – I have the Message of Thessalonians. I thought he did one in the same series on Philippians which I really loved, but I have just gone to the dusty bookshelf and can’t find it. Do you know if I’m right Bill – did Stott do one in the same series on Philippians?? He had some great quotes in it and if I had it and lost it, I will try hard to lay my hands on another. Several of my favorite quotes which I wrote in my Bible in the Philippians margins (all around chpt 3) -

   “A virtuous regard for truth should never be indulged to the detriment of affection and sympathy which should characterize our new nature in Christ.”

   “The truth of the gospel must be known, preached and defended and its opposite recognized, rejected and opposed.”

   “There is a justifiable anger but its display is hedged about with warnings.”

   “If Jesus alone is worthy to be boasted of what room is there for self glory?”

   “Jesus is a dwelling so attractive, Paul can’t bear to be away from home.”

   “The darker the day, the greater his glory when he finds us still rejoicing in the Lord.”

   And the best for last – though I have left a lot out -

   “The public success of the church along the front where it faces the world depends upon the measure of sanctification of each individual Christian.”

   Kerry Letheby
6. Scott Kroeger 14.7.10 / 8am

   You need more reformed guys.

   And as for NT Wright–while I have not read this particular commentary, I would be highly suspicious of the content given that he is one of the leaders in “The New Perspectives of Paul and a major opponent of ‘justification by faith’ as a key element in Christology.

   Scott Kroeger
7. Lee Avery 14.7.10 / 9am

   Just makes me covet Bill! The commentary section of the home library is light on.

   Do you do the equivalent for the OT soon?

   Did Rushdoony have any N.T. commentaries? I only have vol 1 of his Institutes…

   How about Kenneth Gentry’s work on Revelation?

   Lee Avery, Adelaide
8. Andrew Amos 14.7.10 / 9am

   Re:
   “Note: Acronyms are spelled out in the first article in this series”

   Can you provide a link to this article?

   Andrew Amos
9. Bill Muehlenberg 14.7.10 / 10am

   Thanks Kerry

   As far as I know, Stott never did a commentary on Philippians, at least not in the BST series. The commentaries I have of Stott are as follows.

   The Epistles of John (TNTC)
   The Message of Acts (BST)
   The Message of Ephesians (BST)
   The Message of 1 Timothy & Titus (BST)
   The Message of Galatians (BST)
   The Message of Romans (BST)
   The Message of Second Timothy (BST)
   The Message of The Sermon on the Mount (BST)
   The Message of Thessalonians (BST)

   They are all very good indeed. I am not sure who penned the quotes you offer, but they are good ones.

   Bill Muehlenberg, CultureWatch
10. Bill Muehlenberg 14.7.10 / 10am

    Thanks Scott

    While there are some commentaries from the Reformed perspective featured here, I do give Calvin’s commentaries a plug in the introductory article to this series, to be posted soon.

    And yes I am aware of concerns about Wright, including his take on imputation, etc.

    Bill Muehlenberg, CultureWatch
11. Bill Muehlenberg 14.7.10 / 10am

    Thanks Lee

    As to your covetousness, you will need to keep an eye on the Tenth Commandment!

    I am not aware of Rushdoony having done any commentaries, although his son-in-law Gary North of course started a series of OT commentaries.

    And yes Gentry can be noted along with others on Revelation (I have a dozen commentaries on this book, and many could have also been mentioned here).

    Bill Muehlenberg, CultureWatch
12. Bill Muehlenberg 14.7.10 / 10am

    Thanks Andrew

    That introductory article will hopefully be posted within a few hours.

    Bill Muehlenberg, CultureWatch
13. Carl Strehlow 14.7.10 / 12pm

    I don’t mind the IVP series.
    Carl Strehlow
14. Mansel Rogerson 14.7.10 / 12pm

    Hi Bill,

    Your capacity for reading never ceases to amaze me. You must have bookshelves installed over every square inch of wall space at your house!

    Mansel Rogerson
15. Mansel Rogerson 14.7.10 / 12pm

    Hi Lee,

    As well as numerous OT commentaries, Rushdoony has written commentaries on several NT books as well.

    Light Education Ministries in Australia sells a wide range of reconstruction and theonomy titles (see page 4 of the following catalogue for Rushdoony’s commentaries):

    www.lem.com.au/theoandrefcat.pdf

    Mansel Rogerson
16. Bill Muehlenberg 14.7.10 / 1pm

    Thanks Mansel

    Yes the house is getting pretty crowded. I keep trying to kick the kids out so I can turn their bedrooms into libraries. For some reason they are not too impressed with the idea.

    And thanks for the link to Rushdoony’s commentaries. I was not aware of all that he had done (I only have ten of his books).

    Bill Muehlenberg, CultureWatch
17. Barry Koh 14.7.10 / 2pm

    Bill,
    You are right. Lovers of Bible commentaries seems all excited by your list. I must confess I am no Bible scholar, and except for a book written long ago by John Stott, I have never heard of the other names.

    How about a list of recommended websites of bible exposition teachers in sound bible teachings and doctrines? I feel this is important, as sound expository teachings and doctrines of the bible has lost its place in today’s sermons and teachings, as it is regarded as of little relevance to practical everyday living.

    The teachings websites I often refer to are those of John MacArthur, Bob DeWaay, RC Sproul and Albert Mohler. But John’s teachings have benefitted me the most, even though I am not a cessationist or a completely convinced Calvinist. As a continuationist, I also do listen to Chuck Smith (Calvary Chapel) and sometimes Wayne Grudem. While these websites might not appeal or be adequate to the more serious bible scholars, I think these websites will help many to discern and avoid the dangers of the strange teachings and practices like those you find in WOF hyper charismatics, as well as those seeker friendly motivational ‘gospels’, including the increasingly popular occultic influenced contemplative spirituality.
    Barry Koh
18. Bill Muehlenberg 14.7.10 / 2pm

    Thanks Barry

    Yes good idea. There are many good expository preachers around whom one could mention, including some recent classic preachers such as Martyn Lloyd-Jones, James Montgomery Boice, John Stott and others.

    Bill Muehlenberg, CultureWatch
19. Peter Barnes 14.7.10 / 2pm

    Bill,
    You wrote: “But yes Calvin’s commentaries (which are really his collected sermons on the books) are always of great value.”
    They are not.The sermons and the commentaries are quite different e.g. see the differences between his commentary on Ephesians and his sermons on Ephesians. The same goes for Galatians.
    Peter Barnes
20. Bill Muehlenberg 14.7.10 / 2pm

    Thanks Peter for the clarification. I guess I had in mind both Calvin and Luther. Many of Luther’s commentaries were based on his lectures and sermons. And of interest, neither one seemed to be too keen to tackle Revelation.
    Bill Muehlenberg, CultureWatch
21. Bill Muehlenberg 14.7.10 / 3pm

    Thanks guys

    Twenty comments so far – I am impressed. Usually book reviews get little interest, and lists of commentaries and discussions thereof send most people to sleep. So it is good to see a few folks interested.

    Bill Muehlenberg, CultureWatch
22. Carl Strehlow 14.7.10 / 3pm

    I have the whole set of the IVP commentaries. I know there are others, there were others that don’t know what they called that have black dust jackets with red or green lines. They look extensive but when looking through them they look so technical and I have a feeling I have to go to a seminary to do a course in ancient Greek just so I can understand them. I would like to get a good commentary on the Old Testament book of Job one day. My grandfather was a Lutheran pastor up in Hermannsburg from the 1890′s up until his death in 1922 and that was his favourite book in the bible apparently.
    Carl Strehlow
23. Bill Muehlenberg 14.7.10 / 3pm

    Thanks Carl

    By IVP series I take it you mean the Tyndale series? If so, yes it is a very good series, covering both Testaments. As to Job, I have just posted my OT commentary recommendations, so I feature five commentaries on Job which are quite good:
    www.billmuehlenberg.com/2010/07/14/recommended-old-testament-commentaries/

    Bill Muehlenberg, CultureWatch
24. Carl Strehlow 14.7.10 / 4pm

    IVP as in InterVarsity press with Grant R. Osborne as the series editor with D. Stuart Briscoe & Haddon Robinson as consulting editors. 1 Corinthians was done by a Alan F. Johnson. Luke for example was done by Darrell L. Bock who I noticed has done another separate 2 part commentary on the same gospel.
    Carl Strehlow
25. Martin Snigg 14.7.10 / 4pm

    There’s no way you could read all that without the help of the Holy Spirit! Any comments about the Brazos line? Lotsa people talking about it, RR Reno chief editor.
    Martin Snigg
26. Bill Muehlenberg 14.7.10 / 4pm

    Thanks Carl

    Yes that is the series of thin hardbacks, the IVP New Testament Commentary (IVPNTC) series. (IVP also does the Tyndale series of thin paperback commentaries.) I have 15 (out of the 20) of those volumes and they are quite good for a mid-range, and less expensive set of commentaries. Beale for example on 1-2 Thessalonians is quite good, as is Belleville on 2 Corinthians.

    Bill Muehlenberg, CultureWatch
27. Bill Muehlenberg 14.7.10 / 4pm

    Thanks Martin

    Mind you, one need not read a commentary from cover to cover (although I have done that with many), as one must with a novel for example. Often a just a portion is consulted as the need arises. And some are incredibly long of course. Thisellton’s commentary on 1 Corinthians (NIGTC) stretches to nearly 1500 pages in one volume! It is a brilliant piece of work, but I have certainly not read every page of it.

    The Brazos series is quite new with not all that many volumes out yet (there seems to be around a dozen now available on both Testaments). I only have the volume on Acts so far, which was not bad. Again, a mid-price and mid-range series which may well be quite good. It seems to feature a number of writers who have not before been on the commentary writing scene. It also features Catholic and Orthodox authors, along with Protestant ones. Because of the size limitation (they are all around just 300 pages), you don’t get everything you might find in a fuller commentary.

    Bill Muehlenberg, CultureWatch
28. Carl Strehlow 14.7.10 / 4pm

    Just a thought. Will you be posting another list of one volume commentaries?
    Carl Strehlow
29. Bill Muehlenberg 14.7.10 / 5pm

    Thanks Carl

    Yes I can do that as well, but as I state in an introductory article soon to be posted, one-volume commentaries are not ideal, simply because too much is being covered in too little space.

    Bill Muehlenberg, CultureWatch
30. Bill Muehlenberg 14.7.10 / 5pm

    Thanks again guys

    I have now posted a new article detailing my rationale for choosing a good commentary: www.billmuehlenberg.com/2010/07/14/how-to-pick-a-good-commentary/

    Bill Muehlenberg, CultureWatch
31. Kerry Letheby 14.7.10 / 6pm

    Hi Bill,

    I tracked down my copy of the BST Philippians commentary – it’s 90ks away at my Mum’s which is too far, so I will need to drive over and pick it up. It was written by Alec Motyer with comments by John Stott, according to what my Mum just read out to me over the phone.

    Alec Motyer is a great writer as you picked up by the quotes I sent. My favourite is his excellent tome on Isaiah – the pages are falling out of that one!

    Kerry Letheby
32. Alister Cameron 14.7.10 / 6pm

    Bill, have you looked at any of NT Wright’s commentaries on the NT. I know they’re a little populist, etc, but thoughts?
    Alister Cameron
33. Clem Fung 14.7.10 / 6pm

    Hi Bill,

    Long time no see. How’s my old apologetics and theology prof doing? Still going strong it would seem.

    Nice to see my Dad’s Galatians commentary included, even though it’s somewhat ‘older’ by now.

    Blessings,
    Clem Fung
34. Bill Muehlenberg 14.7.10 / 6pm

    Thanks Kerry

    Yes Motyer is one of those rare scholars who does both Old and New Testament commentaries. His BST volume on Philippians is good. He in fact has two volumes on Isaiah: a 400 page TOTC volume (one of the bigger in the series), and a 540-page stand alone commentary, The Prophecy of Isaiah. There is a fair amount of overlap between the two.

    See my list of recommended OT commentaries here: www.billmuehlenberg.com/2010/07/14/recommended-old-testament-commentaries/

    Bill Muehlenberg, CultureWatch
35. Bill Muehlenberg 14.7.10 / 6pm

    Thanks Alister

    Wright is always important, but as you say, his ‘for everyone” series (eg., Mark for Everyone) is a popular level series. It is still worthwhile, but not a full lengthy meaty commentary. He has done the replacement volume in the TNTC series on Colossians and Philemon, so that is a step up, but the series is also a shorter, mid-level, mid-price series.

    He has however done Romans in The New Interpreter’s Bible series which would be more substantial still. But because it is a bit expensive, I do not have it yet, so I cannot comment (no pun intended) on how he goes with Romans.

    Bill Muehlenberg, CultureWatch
36. Bill Muehlenberg 14.7.10 / 6pm

    Thanks Clem

    Hey come on man! All these years I have known you and you never told me that he was your dad! Did you? I can’t recall if you did. What a revelation. Almost up there with Luke Skywalker learning who his dad is! We need to get together soon.

    Bill Muehlenberg, CultureWatch
37. Previn John 14.7.10 / 6pm

    Another good commentary on the book of Acts that I have sometimes referred to is the NIVAC one by Ajith Fernando.

    The then Zondervan editor Jack Kuhatschek states about this work, “It gives the practical perspective of one who has lived through many of the items discussed in Acts.” Knowing Ajith Fernando and watching the fruit of the work of YFC Sri Lanka under his leadership, I certainly agree.

    In fact Ajith Fernando was very much influenced by the NIC on Acts by F. F. Bruce recommended by Bill here. As a uni student, he picked one up from his father’s library and read it “page by page, footnotes and all”.

    Previn John
38. Matt Harris 14.7.10 / 7pm

    I think that Longenecker’s commentary on ‘Galatians’ is the most sublime piece of theological writing that I have ever read. Highly recommended!
    I would love to purchase GK Beales commentary on Revelation, but it is just too cost prohibitive (like nearly all NIGTC volumes).
    Another outstanding commentary is “Commentary on the New Testament use of the Old Testament” Ed. Carson & Beale. This is an invaluable work that is a must on any student’s shelf.
    Matt Harris
39. Bill Muehlenberg 14.7.10 / 7pm

    Thanks Previn

    I have a dozen commentaries on Acts, but still have not grabbed the Fernando volume as yet. I will have to add it to my shopping list. In addition to the NIC volume by Bruce, he also did one on the Greek text back in 1951.

    Bill Muehlenberg, CultureWatch
40. Bill Muehlenberg 14.7.10 / 7pm

    Thanks Matt

    Yes to all three. Longenecker is very good indeed. The NIGTC volumes are painfully expensive (thus a few volumes in the series I still do not have), but really very good for the most part. And the Beale/Carson volume is a heavyweight in more ways than one. At almost 1250 pages, it must weigh a few kilos! But it is a tremendous reference tool.

    Bill Muehlenberg, CultureWatch
41. Bill Muehlenberg 14.7.10 / 9pm

    OK guys, 40 comments for the NT list, but only 2 for the OT list! What does that tell us?
    www.billmuehlenberg.com/2010/07/14/recommended-old-testament-commentaries/

    Bill Muehlenberg, CultureWatch