Bibles Bible Studies Books

If you're using the NASB, don't fool with any other concordance. This is it.

This concordance is truly amazing in its completeness. Applies to King James and New Jerusalem translations also. Verses can be located by a single word. Thank you!!

If you use the Updated NASB this concordance is almost a "must have." It gives you a list of every word one could use to find a verse as well as the Hebrew, Aramaic, or Greek word underlying the English translation. It allows you to see for yourself the original word and the ways it has been translated and the number of times it has been translated that way.

I don't use Strong's Concordance anymore. After years of classes in the Biblical languages I don't need it. However, for years while in college when I was first beginning serious study of the Bible on my own and encountering different theologies and interpretations of passages, Strong's was my daily companion. If you don't have the luxury (or for some the burden) of having studied the Biblical languages, but you want to begin to do serious study of the Bible on your own, then there is no real substitute for Strong's. There are plenty of other very helpful reference works, but nothing fills the niche that it does.

Now that my wife has begun study like this on her own I enthusiastically bought this for her. Happily, Strong's has been updated so that Bible students are not tied to the King James Version as they once were. I am not at all suggesting you give up other word studies or helps or commentaries, but Strong's is an important step towards serious, independent Bible study. If this is where you are at, then make sure Strong's is one of your frequently used reference works.

First off, this is an indespensible resource for all serious NASB bible students and second only to the Bible itself in "must have" research tools. This is an excellent concordance and Greek/Hebrew bible dictionary (Strong's numbers used). But there is little other material. It could use some more "how to" material in using a Strong's reference book and even some general "how to study the bible" material. They have the reference part down, now with a little attention to the supporting material this would get five stars.

Pastor John MacArthur does it again. He is such a blessing and a gift from the Lord to teach us the bible. This book is a detailed exposition of the Prodigal Son parable that appears in Luke Ch. 15:(11-32).

I continually marvelled at the many deep lessons that Pastor MacArthur mines in this familar story. He looks at the story from the perspectives of the lost son, father, older brother, and the Pharisees. The story is one of incredible grace once the sinner recognizes the need for repentance. The story would have been familiar to the culture of the day. MacArthur shows how much relevance the story still applies in today's world. Isn't the Bible wonderful? Timeless.

The book ends with some unexpected analysis that I had never fully considered. I won't spoil the thunder because all need to read it.

Many parents will benefit from reading this book. As the father of an estranged son, I gained tremendous comfort to sustain me during these difficult days of rejection. I am more prepared to act if and when my prodigal ever returns home. I haven't given up hope.. and my prodigal knows the door is always open.

I plan to reread this book as I would fully expect I will see and understand new depths. Thank you Pastor MacArthur.

John MacArthur's book/sermon series on the Prodigal Son called, "A Tale of Two Sons" was very well done. MacArthur, from what I know, does not actually write any of his books for the purpose of being a book, but they are all taken from his sermons and study notes on the subject. Which most pastors do these days as they really don't have time to actually write books since they are studying all week for their sermons and doing other pastoral duties. Not a bad thing, just some insight.

I wasn't sure how I would like this book as I figured that I knew "what there was to know" about this parable found in the book of Luke. Let's just say that I was overwhelmingly humbled in my knowledge.

MacArthur masterfully goes through the parable to give you insights to the culture, history and textual criticism to give the reader the understanding of exactly what was going on throughout this parable.

He breaks down the parable in three parts because that is how the parable is focused in on as Christ told it. The three parts are: The prodigal son, the father and the eldest son.

At points throughout this book I believe that MacArthur does look to much into things and takes them as fact, when in actuality the text is silent on the issue so there is no way of knowing. But, this is overshadowed of his brilliant look to the Scripture and the culture to give you a taste of what it must have been like to be standing there as a hearer of Christ.

He teaches you as though you were standing there as either a mere onlooker or a Pharisee and gives you the responses that must have been going through each one's head. I actually think this is the main reason that this makes this book truly well worth the read.

Overall, MacArthur does a great job handling the text and culture to make sure that you really glean as much as you can with this parable, with the focus being on the joy in heaven when even one man repents.

The shocker comes in the end, when MacArthur gives you the last part of the parable that was left out of the Bible for "us to decide." MacArthur gives it straight on how the parable actually ended and it is an ending that truly made this book stand alone as a great understanding of the parable and what it meant for prophecy and the Pharisees. But, I will let you read that for yourself. Recommended

How can the elder son be regarded as typifying the Pharisees, when the title "son" typifies of belonging to the family head? The salvation message states that one can only become a child of The Father through believing (or trust) in Jesus Christ as providing eternal life due to His death and resurrection for all. Not only the elect. (Check John 3:16, Rom. 8:23 etc.) But to be part of THE FAMILY one needed to have believed at some stage. Clearly to be called a son, you need to be a family member due to a positional standing???

This is another book from the lordship Salvation guru that brings works and other nonsense to the table and let good people think they will end up in Heaven! The whole chapter of Luke 15 concerns God's forgiveness for sinners, especially believing sinners (the younger brother). This is a parable on growing into maturity as a believer NOT a salvation passage.

Humans are sentenced to hell not for their sins. But, for their unbelief in Jesus as Messiah.

"Truly, truly I say to you, he who believes has eternal life." - John 6:47 NASB

I bought the book because I heard the author on the radio on the title. His message on the radio was excellent and I knew I had missed several parts of the message so I wanted to read the whole thing. But the author kinda of lost me with all the big vocabulary and it appeared very scholarly. Since I had several other books to read, I placed this book aside and later gave it to my brother who is more scholarly than I.

MacArthur's book, "A Tale of Two Sons" is a marveloous work offering insight into an often cited but rarely fully comprehended parable. He breaks the book into four parts, an excellent overview, great insight into the Prodigal son, who resembles most of us at some times, excellent insight into the father, which unfortunately does not go far enough in the insights available to orthodox theology, and insight into the older son, who resembles many of us at too many times.

I can strongly recommend this book for any who wish to gain insight into the human condition and the only way out. It can make for uncomfortable feelings though for any who are honest with themselves regarding the choices and actions that we all make and do.

Huge wealth of Biblical knowledge! Excellent resource. It goes through a survey of each book of the Bible and then gives a treatise on each major doctrine of the Bible. Many charts and lists are given for those interested in Biblical facts and detailed knowledge. This is not a commentary but a great tool to use in basic, comprehensive, Bible study. My husband has given this as a Christmas present to a pastor, who later told him how much he appreciated it. Six of our older children have studied through the book and a seventh is doing so now. Different views of hard subjects are presented with a conclusion by the author on why he takes the position he takes. Very well done. My husband has used it for years, as he has been in full time ministry for 30 years. God bless your reading and Biblical study.

As an Elder and a mininster of the Word of God, I truly appreciate the amazing amount of information that Dr. Willmington has put within this book. Is is straightforward and covers many different topics. I would recommend this work for any serious student of the Word or Pastor.

Elder Jacob

Mr. Harold L. Willmington is very informed of scripture and presents it in a concise manner not only to a "newbie" born-again Christian, but the seasoned believer as well. I had gotten this for study in the Faith Bible Institute study course I was taking in '06 and find it an invaluable tool to further the study of the Bible. The layout is user friendly and the presentation of the material was spot on and Mr. Willmington should be commended for his exhaustive research to put together such a tool to help others examine and discover unseen truths in God's Word. It is recommended that one have a KJV Bible as this book refers heavily to that and the user-friendly one I read is: Life Application Study Bible KJV, Large Print

You WILL NOT be disappointed in Willmington's Guide to the Bible!
Take care and God Bless...

I was so excited to receive this book, more importantly it has blessed me tremendously. I am a pastor of a church and I can't tell you what a valuable resource this has been to my ministry, my preaching and my personal walk and understanding of God's word. Thank you very much. I have so many other people getting ready to purchase this book because I wont let them borrow mine.

This is a must have book for everyone interested in deeper but concise bible study. I referred 2 pastor friends and they all bought it. Though i may not agree with some of the writers theological position, i am sold on the quality of it's contents and structure. This is a must have book. No doubt. Great book for the price.

Geisler and Nix write what might be considered to be a classic on textual criticism. It is not impossible to read and should be understood by the average layperson who is not frightened of reading. They deal with everything from inspriation, canonicity of both the OT and NT, the major manuscripts, and translations of the Bible. It's probably as good an overall view of textual criticism as there is out there. With no updates since its original 1974 printing, and since the authors are still alive, I would challenge them to update the book for future generations, especially since there have been some new finds and translations made during the past quarter of a century. Updating shouldn't be that hard to do, and they would help preserve a valuable book for the years to come (when they are no longer around). If you have ever had anyone criticize the Bible ("how do we know it's translated correctly?"), this might be a good place to start to get some answers.

"From God to Us" consists of 20 short chapters, the first 5 chapters deal with Inspiration, chapters 6-10 deals with the "Canon", and the concluding chapters deal with various "Manuscript" evidence. From page 7 to the last page are 248 pages of very interesting reading. It is well written, and contains a host of sources within the text. It lacks a final bibliography. While one may not agree with all facets of this book, it is a good read and provides very good source material for small group dicussion.

I am using this in conjunction with a class I'm teaching in my church on the doctrine of the Bible. I appreciate the conservative position, holding to the inerrancy of Scripture. The book is neither difficult to read nor overly simplistic. I agree with a previous reviewer that an update would be nice - it would be helpful to have more on modern translations such as the NIV, etc.

This book was recommended by a very learned Pastor who I respect. However, as a layman, I found it almost impossible to unravel what was being taught. I know Norman Geisler is a very knowledgeable man, but for my intellectual level this book was way too difficult. I am saving it on my bookshelf for when I get smarter!!

The bible is amazing all on its own. However, it's great to have the study footnotes that bring out the greater revelation of God's word. This version is an essential study companion.

I knew when I bought this that it had small print and no red letter (because Tyndale usually uses the most beautiful pinkish/red ink); two major drawbacks, BUT the rest of it is so lovely. First this edition, the baby blue that dominates the cover - part of front, the spine and entire back (you cannot tell by looking at and through the box) is so beautiful, and I absolutely love these new vinyl type covers as they curve around the Bible spine and make the Bible look expensive, versus the square bricks that so many Bibles look like nowadays. I don't mean to imply that this one has a major curve, but it has a bit of one, it is a thick Bible after all. I love the quality of the sewing because it is sewn around the edges of the vinyl and the two tone baby blue and brown is so well done. Silver edges, book marker and all that...just lovely and beautiful. I too agree that the 2nd edition by far exceeds my expectations. This one does have the better John 1:18 translation. Some of the other 2nd editions NLT's do vary in this verse, I have noticed. Look at John 1:18 and you will see that some editions vary in the NLT Bibles that I believe are the 2nd editions. I am not talking about the 1st edition. Also, if you need to know...a good way to compare the 1st from the 2nd, though, is look at Isaiah 63:9. There will be a footnote for the 2nd edition (which I really appreciate) that says that the "He" is the Angel of His Presence. This is really important because it literally means the Angel (which means messenger) of His Face.
Also, I just have to say, what a pleasure it is to have an entire giant study Bible in a small personal size. This makes it very portable. One might need a magnifier for this one at times, but it is well worth it.
This has got to be one of the "prettiest" Bibles I have seen in a long while. That light blue is so dreamy...have I said that already??? I certainly hope that they come out with more ultra pastel Bibles in this vinyl. Drool. Drool. Just plain with silver or gold lettering is fine. Grin.
But of course, more than anything else, it is the content and what can I say, this is a winner, the Life Application is so very wonderful for the soul and mind. I noticed that more and more people are using the Life Application Bible as their main Bible (even in the KJV) at church, and for good reason. God bless you all.

I ordered a leather bound bible, what I received was a two tone, light blue and brown, imitation leather bible. This is not the way it was advertised. I did call they offered for me to send it back, but said when I receive the replacement one, they could not guarantee that it wouldn't be the same as I already received. So then I said well it don't make sense to send it back, just to receive the same thing yet again, so how about some credit. He gave me $5.00 back from my purchase price, so was resolved. So if ordering this bible, be careful and ask all questions beforehand, so you aren't disappointed. I am good with the outcome.

Since l got the Bible , haven been studying the word of God with more understanding and blessing me daily .

The added commentary, references and the maps was great. It really made a difference for me. I would highly recommend this edition!!!

Found the language of the book too scholarly. Example: "The verbal form expressing Yahweh's actions is characteristically participial; that is, this is not an intrusive eventfulness, but an assured ongoing process that Yahweh does regularly and everywhere." The entire book is written in this manner.

I'm sure the contents are probably excellent but I found this book too difficult to read for the average joe.

Dr. Walter Brueggemann, Old Testament professor/mentor/friend, taught this material at Eden Theological Seminary in Webster Groves, Missouri and later as a continuing education workshop in Florida. This is, in my judgment, the best work done on the Psalms and I use it as the basic text in my course in Florida Christian University/Theological Seminary on "The Psalms and Counseling". Not only does Brueggeman categorize the Psalms into "Orientation", "Disorientation", and "New Orientation" (an improvement on "Reinorientation" as a type), but he also helps us have a psychological perspective on these psalms and their uses within the church and our personal appropriation/and belief systems. This helps us find our route through disorientation and depression on into new orientation and joyful health.

I was loaned this book at a very difficult time in my life. I could no longer trust a God who had allowed my son to die. But by no longer conversing with God, I also lost my source of sustenance and renewal.

This book describes how the Psalms document the changes/seasons of a believing community's life of faith: a movement of faith from orientation to disorientation to a new orientation.

It helped me to understand that my relationship with God changes with my experiences of life. And that although I may be experiencing a period of disorientation in respect to God, eventually I will arrive at a new orientation, as did the people of Israel.

If you don't have this book on your shelf, get it!

The Sales Bible is definitely one of the most comprehensive books written for sales people. It is a fun read and Gitomer uses different fonts and bolding to give you a feel of the author's sense of humor and style of "ranting".

This book covers it all; cold calling, networking, the sales process, handling objections, questioning, trade show strategies, 30 second commercial development to name only a few key elements, skills and processes of selling. This only skims the surface. The lay out is simple and the table of contents is detailed for easy reference.

This book is full of proven sales strategies, tactics and techniques that work. Even though this book is a few years old, it still comes out on top as The Ultimate Sales Resource today.

If you are looking for a resource book that contains many sales secrets - this is the book to buy. It will make it to your "favorite's" section in your personal library.

Eliot Hoppe
Author - Selling: Powerful New Strategies for Sales Success

Are you new in the field of sales? Then read on!

This book provides you with almost anything on sales except for the latest technology tricks. Selling a product isn't easy and if you're inexperienced selling is even harder because you're probably insecure. That's why you need books like this.

Being new in the field of sales myself when I read this book five years ago, this book gave me a head start. Motivational and inspirational writing is being combined with common sense and it really makes you act. Several ideas can be implemented at once when a new or existing customer rings you on the phone, that's great about this book.

You don't like to be a salesman? Then at least pick up 'Integrity Selling' by Ron Willingham (available through my reviews). For all you out there who can't wait to start selling, buy this book!

When titling his book, I suppose Gitomer was very concerned with drawing your attention away from (much) more enlightening and inspiring books on the subject of selling. "The Sales Bible" offers little inspiration beyond its title.

If you're new to the sales profession, Gitomer's bible is a fair introduction to old school thought on selling practices. If you're an experienced sales person interested in fresh thinking, certainly do not judge this book by its cover!

My recommendation for a fresher approach to the topic: Selling Sucks: How to Stop Selling and Start Getting Prospects to Buy!

No new information. The man has written 7 books on the same subject. I learned nothing my 20 years of actual sales experience did not already teach me. I was hoping for more than suggestions on how to "out fox" prospects. Nothing really useful here.

Okay - full disclosure - I know the author and consider him a friend. He's also a client, and I've used his techniques to sell to him! That may be the only thing you need to know about this book.

Jeffrey Gitomer may not be the greatest salesman of all time - St. Paul, Zig Ziglar, Earl Nightingale, Dale Carnegie - there may be a few others who rank above him. Time will tell. But Jeffrey has written a book strictly devoted to selling which synthesizes the combined wisdom of all of the published salemen who have gone before him, with the practical knowledge that he has gained from a lifetime selling anything and, eventually, everything. I believe Jeffrey's position in the business world is similar to Ted Williams's in baseball.

As a kid, I remember reading Ted Williams's classic book, "The Science of Hitting." Hitting a pitched baseball is the most difficult skill in all of sports. Williams' book explained that the toughest part of hitting isn't the hand-eye coordination, it is the disciplined approach to preparation and pitch selection - the mental game, that counts. Williams' classic graphic of the strike zone filled with 77 baseballs, each baseball containing a batting average, was worth the price of the book, and an enduring image for baseball lovers. Williams was a great hitter - maybe not as significant as Babe Ruth, or with as high an average as Ty Cobb, but his most enduring legacy was the best book ever written about hitting. And, it's not about fancy tricks, it's about repetition and discipline.

I believe selling is the toughest skill to learn in business. The art of persuasion doesn't come naturally to most people, and some prospects give you more late breaking movement than a Papelbon "slutter" or a Rivera cutter. Jeffrey Gitomer's book helps you perfect the skills that you need to survive and prosper in what could otherwise be a difficult and discouraging world. Are you just getting started? Read the book of Rules. Do you need to cold call? There's a chapter that will give you steps to follow. Need a refresher - the principles are all summarized on handy flash cards and a computer disk. The 72 questions are like Ted Williams' 77 baseballs - designed to get you to focus on what you need to do to raise your average.

I've read the reviews already posted and I can't believe the handful of people who gave this book 1, 2 or even 3 stars - they must be ex-girlfriends or jealous husbands. Those looking for fancy tricks and clever schemes don't get it - that's too complicated, and, worse, destined for a one-time-only sale, or embarrasing failure. Learn the basics, and this book distills the best selling advice of hundreds of other authors, as well as Gitomer's years of Sales Moves columns.

Note - The Sales Bible distills those columns, and doesn't just reprint them as some authors with a regular newspaper gig are prone to do. This is a book that is intended to be USED, not just read. If you're looking for the "History of Great Sales," keep looking. If you're a saleman or an entreprenuer (which means you're that and more) buy this book, and learn from a true Hall of Fame salesman!

I highly recommend this introductory grammar of New Testament Greek.

I began my study of Greek with William Mounce's Basics of Biblical Greek, and I really think Mounce has the best system around. However, I also firmly believe that anyone who studies Machen in addition to Mounce, say, after completing Mounce, will greatly profit by it. ~ I have!

I also believe that if someone is inclined to learn Greek solely by the traditional method, they would probably do best if they went with Machen.

The exercises in the book are a real help, especially the English to Greek, which tends to force the student to think in Greek in a way the Mounce system does not.

I don't think that I, nor anyone else, can find anything bad to say about the Machen grammar. It's the old school method, but as learner-friendly as the old school method can get, and as I mentioned, a great "second opinion" to one's studies in Mounce's introductory grammar.

I myself purchased a used, out of print edition (really cheap!), on ebay, but other used outlets or private sellers are circulating them as well(Amazon Marketplace, for instance). So, I cannot really speak to this new (very pricey!) edition. My older edition had no answer key for its exercises, though, and I had to scavenge around for one. Perhaps this new edition has an answer key.

I am pleased with the book. Machen provides excercises which are incredibly helpful in learning Greek. Each lesson is broken up effectively making it easy to follow. However, I found it necessary to receive instruction from a teacher along with each lesson.

I started Greek with this book and went on to major in Greek. Machen's systematic presentation of grammar is as clear and approachable as you'd want it to be. I've been away from Greek for decades and after spending my career teaching Latin, I've returned to this little book and found it invigorating as I relearn what I once knew so well. I own other Greek grammars, but Machen's is really all I need. If you buy this--and I highly recommend it--get Thompson's workbook too. As a combination they can't be beat. Thompson, by the way, provides excellent additional review and practice material that makes a difficult language more accessible.

This is a great textbook for anyone who has never studied Greek and needs to have an understanding of the languages for New Testament studies. The chapters are short and easy to understand and the exercises are well paced.

I am partial to Machen because I first learned Greek with his book, but the more I use this text to teach Greek to others, the more impressed I become. The genius is the organization and the exercises. No grammar does a better job of systematically leading one through Greek and the exercises are wonderful at reenforcing the vocabulary and paradigms. This book is great for reviewing or refreshing Greek and is perfect for teaching children, again because of the exercises.
Machen's writing style is succinct if not eliptical, and this is the polar opposite to Mounce's user-friendly, wordy text, but its nice that it is small and you don't need a separate workbook. I would recommend that you buy both Machen and Mounce. The only reason I give it four stars is that no grammar is perfect and you really need to work through several. Machen is also to be honored for defending the faith against liberalism and he belongs in every Greco-phile's library.

The NIV Life Application Study Bible is great BUT this is not the 'best' one ... The 'best' one has a genuine leather cover (rather than bonded leather) AND indexed thumb tabs to make finding the books of the Bible easier. The 'best' one is available here on Amazon for just a few dollars more -- it, and my full review, is at: NIV Life Application® Study Bible (New International Version).

This is a great one volume bible commentary but don't be fooled into thinking this is a study bible. There is just too much info in it to be anything but another single volume commentary. At times, especially in the new testament, the commentary takes up 90% of the page with a few lines of scripture at the top. The best thing about this bible in my opinion are the various lists, charts, and diagrams. They really help me understand.

Now, if I only read the Bible daily, pray about it, and execute the inspirations, I will be OK. Dealing with cancer is tough, but my experience since reading daily is that I am grateful for the chance to change my lifes direction. I no longer am living for money,power and ego, I live to help the 'poorest of the poor'

I love the Life Application Bible. It tells you how to apply what the Bible is saying to your everyday life. I would recommend it to anyone who is serious about putting the Word of God to work in their lives. I also like the NIV version Jo Price.

This study bible is so detailed and complete. This bible will make your study time very enjoyable.