Pastor Patrick - Never On A Sunday: Bible Study Tools

Showing posts with label Bible Study Tools. Show all posts

Monday, July 31, 2017

Irving L. Jensen Collection - A Review

Irving L. Jensen Collection

Irving L. Jensen

A Review

Faithlife and the family of Irving L. Jensen have provided a great collection of 24 Bible Study tools aimed at students with a wide range of previous exposure to the Scripture.

For those just beginning their study of scripture, whether a new believer or a long time member of the Family of God but with little experience in personal study, there a number of individual book studies. Some these (e.g. the study on the Prison Epistles) provide introductory material before jumping into a series of questions which will help the reader dig, understand, and apply, the Scriptures to their own life. Along with books on individual books, there are also titles that cover larger portions of scripture. For example, The Layman’s Bible Study Notebook provides a set of workbooks covering the whole New Testament. Simply Understanding the Bible includes an introduction to every book of the Bible (alas, it does not provide study questions to guide the student into deeper study). Except for this book, there appears to be less than complete coverage of the Old Testament, A number of key OT book are covered, but there are some key OT books which seem to be missed (e.g. Isaiah). As noted earlier, the New Testament is covered quite well - both with titles covering multiple Bible books and those focusing on a single book (e.g. each of the gospels has an individual book).

There are also tools for those who are ready to dig in for themselves. At the gentler end of the spectrum is Jensen’s Enjoy Your Bible: Making the Most of Your Time With God’s Word. The ten chapters (130 pages) begin to introduce the reader to the tools needed to begin a habit of personal inductive Bible Study. For those wanting a bit more in-depth discussion of the inductive Bible Study Method, Jensen’s Independent Bible Study provides 6 chapters plus appendices with more details on developing a personal Bible Study habit.

Besides the book studies, there are also three character studies within the collection (David, Ruth, and Mary).

I and other users of the LOGOS Bible Study Library waited a long time to gain access to this material - at times even wondering if it would make it into publication. When the Jensen family became involved in the process, things moved along more quickly. This collection of books is provided for use with LOGOS Bible Software - available at various price ranges, including a Basic version available with a few key books for free.

These books are certainly suitable for individual study. Though instructions are included within the collection for using the material with a small group or Sunday School class, it is not clear to me how this can be easily accomplished given that the individual books are mostly out of print (updated editions from another publisher are available for several of the titles). Some clarification from LOGOS or the copyright holder may be needed.

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This review is based on a free electronic copy provided by the publisher for the purpose of creating this review. The opinions are mine alone.

Tuesday, December 1, 2015

NIV Bible For Men - A Review

NIV Bible For Men

Zondervan

A Review

A well-done devotional Bible addressing the things men struggle with. The devotions are both Biblically sound and applicable to the lives of men living in 21st century America.

Devotions are of two kinds. Two-Hundred-Sixty (one for each weekday of the year) of them are topical devotions. Each focuses on a “key verse” that is then developed within the devotion. Inside each devotion is a one-sentence summarizing its content. Finally, each devotion ends with a boxed “Bring It To Life” - a sentence or two suggesting how the reader can apply that day’s reading.

In additions to the devotions are 52 (one per week) myths that many in the church have swallowed without much thought - for example Myth #30 is “Just use credit now, and pay for it later.” After stating the myth, the problem and a suggested correction are given within two or three paragraphs.

I like the fact that the sources of all Devotionals and Myths are well-documented in an index following the Biblical text. There is also a topical index which allows the reader to find appropriate material whatever the reader’s interest. Though absent, this reader would have liked to see the Devotionals and Myths listed in order as part of the table of contents. This would allow the potential purchaser to quickly see the topics discussed within the various pieces of commentary without thumbing through the whole Bible to see all 310 entries.

The NIV text is presented in clear type. It includes no footnotes (other than those belonging to the NIV text proper) or cross-references. Perhaps an enlarged 2nd edition could include these features to add additional value to the book for the male reader.

This Bible would serve as a wonderful gift for the new believer or a devotional Bible for a believer of any age. I expect to enjoy the thoughtful editorial content during the coming year.

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This review is based on a free copy of the book provided by the publisher for the purpose of creating this review. The opinions expressed are my own.

Monday, October 5, 2015

I Dare You Not To Bore Me With The Bible - A Review

I Dare You Not to
Bore Me With the Bible

Michael S. Heiser

A Review

The current volume seems like a book that seems to have no purpose, but that I found extremely interesting.

Let me begin with a disclaimer - I am a regular user of LOGOS Bible software, but I do not subscribe to Bible Study magazine published by the same company. Having said that, it should be noted that the route that this book took toward publication included a stop in Bible Study magazine. The essays collected here began as a series of lectures (or parts of lectures) in the author’s classroom. From there, they were transformed into essays published in Bible Study magazine. The essays were then collected and reprinted in the book form found here. I appreciated the broad range of topics discussed from the Old Testament and the New Testament. In addition, the author often throws in a few interesting tidbits of information (“Quickbits”) to whet the reader’s appetite for more details.

Other than the author’s lectures and essays, there is little that connects the various pieces of this book together. But that does not mean that the pieces are not of interest. Each essay forced this reader to think and evaluate his own understanding. I could get no further than the second essay and I was forced to rethink the meaning and purpose inerrancy - a major proponent of both my seminary training and my denominational choice. I found the anecdotes and background material fascinating as I read.

The essays have been rearranged Biblically, rather than in the order originally written - in fact, other than a short statement in the preface, there is no indication of the exact location where the original essays are located or the order in which they were produced. In addition, each of the author’s main points are well documented from scripture, but there is little other secondary or primary sources for the reader to assist in further study. This lack of bibliographic detail is the major flaw in the book. There are some, but most of the independent essays lack the needed supporting material.

The electronic version of the book I received had no indexing - it would be hoped that a paper edition would include a thorough Biblical index. This should include both an index of the passages discussed and of the Biblical material referenced throughout the book. These missing elements are not significant in an e-book as searching can reproduce many of the needed references. Scripture is so important to the author’s arguments, that would be a significant hole in a paper edition.

Though not designed as a devotional book, the design and layout of the book might allow some readers to use it as such. Others would want to use it as a reference book for the variety of problems and issues addressed. The book would be a welcome addition to the supplemental reading used in a Bible survey course for the Bible College or Seminary student. The pastor may find it of some use as a source of sermon illustrations and teaching resources. For some the young Christian, the essays may present a challenge to their faith.

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This review is based on a free electronic copy provided by the publisher for the purpose of creating this review. The opinions expressed are my own.

Wednesday, February 25, 2015

NIV Proclamation Bible - A Review

NIV Proclamation Bible

Lee Gatiss

in collaboration with

The Proclamation Trust

A Review

I like reviewing Study Bibles. Because of that I requested the opportunity to review NIV Proclamation Bible. Shortly after doing that, I found that the sponsoring organization came out of the Anglican Reformed movement – a world away from this Wesleyan pastor. I wondered what I had walked into.

My fears were unfounded. What the book offers to the Bible student are tools every Bible reader needs. What is omitted are the tools that would mark this Bible as being clearly “Reformed” in nature. The result is a well-designed book that will assist any Bible student in his or her search for truth.

WHAT IT HAS:

This edition begins with 10 essays that introduce the Bible and the tools that will help a student of the Bible in understanding, learning, and teaching the truth of God's word. Though written by reformed scholars, the essays themselves are sufficiently general in nature that they would help all, even the experienced Bible reader, dig deeper into the Scriptures.
Each book includes a one to two page introduction – including a helpful teaching outline that could be use by a preacher, Sunday School teacher, small group leader, in preparing a lesson or series of lessons on a specific book. Each introduction also includes a brief list of suggested commentaries for each book allowing for further study. In addition, each book introduction is signed by its author allowing the reader to know its source and to evaluate its content.
The Bible text contains single-column cross-references.
A nice concordance and 14 standard Bible maps are included at the rear of the book.

WHAT IT DOES NOT HAVE:

There are no study notes in the body of the text. With an ample opportunity to add a Reformed perspective to the volume, they have chosen not to do so.
Along with no study notes, there are no references for further study of the text.
The words of Christ are not in Red. For some, this would be an oversight. For others, myself included, this gives this edition of the Bible greater value.

Timothy Keller states, “There are many Study Bibles, but none better.” I would disagree – but not because of the book's content, but because it does not have the content which I might expect to find in a well-done study Bible. Having said this, the rich collection of cross-references and helpful Bible book introductions belongs on the desk of many a preacher, teacher, or student. I am glad to have it in my collection of Bible Study tools.

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This review is based on a free copy provided by the publisher for the purpose of creating this review. The opinions expressed are my own.

Monday, February 16, 2015

The A to Z Guide to Bible Signs & Symbols - A Review

The A to Z Guide to Bible
Signs & Symbols

Neil Wilson and Nancy Ryken Taylor

A Review

An interesting look at the symbology found in the Bible. At 288 page, only 272 having actual content, the book is a bit limited. The entries which are included are interesting, well-illustrated, and colorful. Each entry, with the accompanying images, take up a two-page spread. Some entries are quite detailed (e.g. separate entries for eagle, quail, and Raven/Crow). Others are sparse (e.g. a single entry for tree, another for seed, but no room for the diversity of species which occur in the Middle East). The lack of an index means that finding sub-topics might be difficult. As an e-book, searching may be easier. The value of an e-book would also depend on how images are handled by the e-book publisher. In the paper version of the book, the images are heavily integrated into the text - to be of value in an e-book, the images would need to be set apart from the text allowing them to be viewed and shared separately from the text.

This book is neither an encyclopedia or a dictionary, but a picture book that handles the topics it does discuss well; but, because of its condensed size, only handles a limited number of topics. I would like to have seen a larger, more comprehensive, volume built using the same editorial policies that went into creating this guide.

The book will fit well on the coffee table for either the believer’s home or the pastor’s office. It will serve well as a beginning reference work for those topics covered, but will not become the go-to reference work for many important topics or most pastors or scholars.

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This review is based on a free copy provided by the publisher for the purpose of creating this review. The opinions expressed are my own.

Wednesday, February 4, 2015

The Bible's Answers to 100 of Life's Biggest Questions - A Review

The Bible's Answers to

100 of Life's Biggest Questions

Norman L. Geisler and Jason Jimenez

A Review

I first met Norman L. Geisler 40 years ago as a student during my first semester at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School. The course was “Introduction to Apologetics”. I have seen and read a few of his books over the years, but this is the first book I have had the opportunity to review.

This book provides, as the title implies, answers to 100 questions. The answers are succinct, limited to one or two pages. They include THE answer, scripture, and external resources (e.g. web pages or videos) supporting the author’s view. Though most of the questions are theological in nature, each does include a one or two sentence statement as to why the question and its answer has application to our Christian lives. With few exceptions, only the last ten questions are directly related to the more practical side of life. Regardless of the question asked, Geisler does add his expected scholarly, thoughtful approach in answering each one. The reader will grow as he makes his or her way through the book - whether you agree or disagree with the author’s answers.

The order of the questions moves from very broad questions (e.g. “1. What is Truth?”) toward more narrow questions:

10. How Did the Universe Come to Be?

19. Who is Jesus Christ?

32. What is the Gospel?

67. Does God Hear My Prayers?

73. Is Abortion Murder?

95. Why Are So Many Young People Abandoning the Faith?

From a philosophical perspective, this order makes sense. But for the unbeliever or new Christian, it may have helped to start with more specific questions and move on to the deeper, more specific, questions as one moved through the book.

Though I appreciate the book’s responses to the questions, I would much prefer a more balanced approach. An opportunity to study the multiple responses that believers have given to the various questions would strengthen the book. The authors attempt to give “THE” answer to each question, with little room for the reader to discover truth for themselves. Having said that, the writers do seem to strike a middle ground that might be more satisfying to many. For example, when asked, “Did God Pick Me or Did I Choose Him?”, the authors begin by stating that, “Throughout the pages of Scripture, the doctrine of free choice is repeatedly demonstrated …” However, they conclude by stating, “Finally, God chose us before we chose Him …” Similarly, when answering the question, “Can I Lose My Salvation?”, the authors reply, “Of all the questions, this one has certainly sparked some of the biggest debates in the church, and it is often to blame for much of the division among denominations.” However, they go on to write, “There are several reasons Christians can’t lose their salvation...”

I don’t question that the author’s can write the book they want to write; yet the reader must know that the authors are feeding answers, not helping the student discover the answers. This book presents a one-sided response, the true student will want to find other resources which present alternate answers. Geisler and Jimenez do contribute to the discussion. But the discussion must continue till we reach heaven and God gives us THE answers, HIS answers.

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This review is based on a free copy provided by the publisher for the purpose of creating this review. The opinions expressed are my own.

Wednesday, January 28, 2015

God’s Story in 66 Verses - A Review

God’s Story
in 66 Verses

Stan Guthrie

A Review

I was concerned when I first saw the title of this book. God provided 66 books in the Bible - how could anyone fairly reduce each book to a single verse? Obviously, one cannot.

However, unlike the title suggests, the Stan Guthrie does not do so. Rather than providing a commentary on 66 verses, he provides a rather complete introduction to each of the 66 book beginning with what most of us would call the key verse.

As is my usual practice with such books, rather than reading the entire book, I spend time exploring those books I am currently studying. This week that involves the book of Galatians in the NT (from which I am preaching) and the book of Joel in the OT (the subject of a small group Bible Study I am part of). In each case the author has created an accurate introduction to the texts, using not just the key text but several key texts found throughout the book being studied. I found the book easy to read and follow - even though it has a degree of depth I might not expect from such an introduction. Though written for a more scholarly audience, the content and overview provided is similar to that provided by Henrietta Mears in her classic, What the Bible is All About. The content could also serve as an the book introduction similar to that found at the beginning of most Study Bibles, but with a bit more depth.

The book could be a good Bible introduction for anyone seeking to read the Bible through in a year or two. It could also serve as the starting point for a sermon series moving a congregation through the entire Bible - a dream of mine, but unlikely to occur given my current congregation. content is too brief to serve as a Bible Introduction text in a College or Seminary course, but might serve that purpose well in a Sunday School or small group Bible Study.

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This review is based on a free electronic copy provided by the publisher for the purpose of creating this review. The opinions expressed are my own.