Bibles Bible Studies Books

Sarna's book guides the reader through Exodus, and tries to place it in the context of other Middle Eastern cultures (while at the same time not ignoring the key differences between Israel and its polytheistic neighbors). The book is full of interesting little tidbits: for example, "Mose" (meaning "son" or "one who is born" in Egyptian) was commonly a part of ancient Egyptian names, and kings had names like "Thut-mose" (so it makes sense that the egyptians would name a baby "Moses" or some variant thereof). Basically a work of history rather than theology--that is, it doesn't really purport to address the big questions of who wrote Exodus, etc. Rather, it shows readers how Exodus made sense to ancient readers familiar with heathen customs.

I first read this book ...and his Genesis work..in library copies for a study group. I am buying both because the insight and the language literally transported me! Do not read this alone because you will want to share thoughts. Even when you are alone, you will want to return to a line and say it aloud. This will be a cherished book regardless of your professed faith. I plan to give extra copies as gifts! The only reason it is four stars is because Exodus is getting five!

For me, reading the Bible has been like listening to one end of a phone conversation. You don't get the full meaning. I have been left with so many questions, like what it means to heap burning coals on someone's head, or why people who spoke in Aramaic read Hebrew and wrote in Greek, although they were ruled by Romans. Without knowing the cultural background, you can't understand the full context of Scripture. This book gives you 'the other half of the conversation.' It is so in-depth that a nerd like me can read for hours. It is simply so interesting that my husband and friends went out and bought copies for themselves. It is a must-have for anyone who is really interested in 'learning' the Bible.

I use this book to teach the youth at our church...it is a great asset!

This book walks you through the streets of Jerusalem in the time of Jesus and helps you to appreciate what family and social and cultural life was like. You also get to walk with the apostle Paul through the streets of Ephesus and Colosse.

But the sections of the book that really opened my eyes was learning about life in Ur of the Chaldees and in Haran where Abram and his family relocated before God called him to leave his father's household to the place where he would show him.

Howard Vos writes in a clear and engaging style that will hold the attention of the pastor and the layperson hungry for more knowledge of the biblical world. I give it my highest recommendation.
Rev. Marc Axelrod

Have you ever read the Bible and wondered why a character did or said something a certain way or why certain events took place the way they did? Like, for instance, why did Ruth lay beside Boaz's feet on the threshing floor or why did Matthew become a tax collector, and why was he so despised? Learning the cultural significance of certain things enriches one's Bible study. If you are not one to just read the Bible, but are dedicated to serious and in-depth Bible study, then this book is a must-have. Knowing the backstory of the people in the Bible lands of Mesopotamia, Syria, Egypt, etc., their cultural habits, and the way they lived their daily lives helps to illuminate the scriptures. For example, in the 4th chapter of the Book of John when Jesus has a conversation with the Samaritan woman, we know by the woman's statement that there was tension between Jews and Samaritans for the woman was surprised that Jesus asked her for a drink of water since the "Jews have no dealings with Samaritans." However, the text doesn't go into detail about why this tension exists, but referencing Nelson's Bible Customs and Manners will tell you that because the Samaritans were taken captive by the Assyrians, they intermarried and adopted many pagan beliefs leading to enmity between the Samaritans and the Jews. This book is an invaluable resource for learning not only the customs and manners of certain groups, but it also presents exciting articles about the political landscape, wars and captivity, socio-economic conditions, how different cultures evolved, and the impact all of this had on God's people and His purposes. It is not laid out in dictionary format; it's more encyclopedic and has a wonderful and comprehensive index. Also, the photographs are very useful and very well-placed throughout the book. This book will certainly help to increase your understanding and appreciation of the Bible.

An appreciation of the history, political climate, trends, and just plain way of life of persons and generations of the times of the Bible is important in the understanding of the potence of the main thrust of it. One needs to ensure that he/she is taking everything within context and divine guidance in his/her quest to understand the Bible with a derived main motive of being more of an accurate servant to God.

Although the Bible can be understood by itself in itself through careful and patient study with humility and guidance, this book is - in my opinion - is an adequate assistant. It goes through the history and meanings of customs as well as the politics and rules of the land. It has accurate maps and drawings and even gives evidence based on secular history of biblical content.

If you are a student or considering purchasing a gift for such a student of the Bible - I say that this would be appropriate.

I found this book to be very helpful in providing a frame of reference for understanding the Synoptic Gospels. The authors correctly point out that viewing the actions, teachings and events of an agrarian society from 2,000 years ago with our modern, industrial, individualistic point of view leaves a great deal of room for misunderstanding. However, I rate this book as 3 stars because of the structure. It is not really designed to be read cover to cover, because material is repeated over and over again, as similar events occur in Matthew, Mark & Luke. I think this work could be improved considerably if the authors made more liberal use of the academic convention of "c.f." I feel that it is serious reader abuse to ask one to read through a two-page exposition toward the end of the book that is a 90% literal repeat of an earlier section, in hopes of finding the one sentence that is new.

I have found the Social-Science Commentary on the Synoptic Gospels to be very helpful in understanding the social and cultural world of the gospels. Our world is so different from the world of the first century that it requires a real effort of think ourselves back into the first century Mediterranean world. That's where this book comes in. It provides a commentary on each passage from the perspective of the social sciences, and "reading scenarios" which provide in-depth information on a variety of subjects, from "Age" and "Betrothal" and "Dyadic Personality to Honor-Shame Societies", "Rich, Poor, and Limited Good", and "Wife". These are short essays that provide background for the understanding of the social structures that underlie the gospel. Each Gospel is dealt with by itself to maintain the integrity of its message. An outline of each Gospel, pictures and a bibliography are also provided. I have used the book since 1995, and I highly recommend it to anyone seeking to deepen their understanding of the Gospels. The authors have also published a Social-Science Commentary on the Gospel of John which I have also found extremely helpful.

Bruce Malina and Richard Rohrbaugh are members of The Context Group: Project on the Bible in its Cultural Environment, and this commentary is one of the finest fruits of their labor. The authors shed light on subtle aspects of ancient Middle East culture which go completely over our heads when we read the bible.

For instance, in ancient Palestine compliments were enviously aggressive. They implicitly accused a person of rising above others at their expense. Thus, when a man challenges Jesus by calling him a "good teacher", Jesus must fend off the accusation with a counterquestion: "Why do you call me good? No one is good but God alone?" (Mk. 10:17-18/Mt. 19:16-17/Lk. 18:18-19). In Jesus' world, honorable men didn't defend themselves when challenged -- for that would only concede ground to their opponents -- instead, they counterattacked. In the gospels Jesus proves himself an honorable man time and time again. He never answers accusatory questions directly; he is always able to change the terms of a debate and shift its ground. In Mk. 11:27-33/Mt. 21:23-27/Lk. 20:1-8 a group of temple authorities confront Jesus and demand to know by what authority he made his prophetic demonstration in the temple. Jesus responds with a counterquestion and then ends up insulting them by refusing to reveal anything at all. Then, in Mk. 12:13-17/Mt. 22:15-22/Lk. 20:20-26, a group of Herodians and Pharisees try snaring Jesus by getting him to admit having revolutionary sentiments about paying taxes. Jesus deflects their question by having them produce a coin for him, and then, holding it up for all to see, he shames them with a nasty counterquestion and tricks them into identifying themselves as idolaters before concluding with his well-known cryptic saying, "Give to Caesar what is Caesar's and to God what is God's". All of these examples show how honorable first-century Jews debated in public.

The authors illumine the values of Galilean peasants as distinct from Judean Pharisees and other temple authorities. Consider the conflict related in Mk. 7:1-25, where a group of Pharisees demand that Jesus explain why his disciples eat with unwashed hands. Jesus, naturally, doesn't deign to explain this. Instead, he counterattacks with insults -- calling the Pharisees hypocrites -- and then escalates the conflict by showing them up with scripture citations, setting his own interpretation of the Torah against theirs. But the authors do provide an explanation: "Keeping purity laws was a near impossibility for peasant farmers, who did not have the required water for ritual baths, as well as for fishermen, who came in constant contact with dead fish, dead animals, and the like. It was also very difficult for people who traveled about, such as Jesus and his disciples. The religious tradition of the Galileans had adapted itself in significant measure to the realities of peasant life."

The commentary brings to life ancient Mediterranean values as contrasted with ours in the modern West. For instance, discovering identity was not a process of self-discovery like it is with us. Identity was provided by one's peers, not by oneself. When Jesus asks Peter, "Who do you say I am?", and Peter replies, "You are the messiah" (Mk. 8:29), most of us today think that Jesus knows who he is and is simply testing his disciples to see if they know. But the authors correctly refute this: "Since Jesus rejected his own honor by leaving his family and village and living as an itinerant exorcist-healer, he needs to find out what his status is both among the public and his followers." They provide him with his messianic identity. Only when public support has grown substantially will he finally be comfortable identifying himself as the messiah (as in Mk. 14:61-62). For now, he is terrified of the title, and he "sternly orders Peter not to tell anyone about it" (Mk. 8:30).

Malina and Rohrbaugh have described just about every behavioral cue and cultural script we could think of -- how ancient gossip networks functioned, why all rich people were considered thieves, the nature of patron-client relationships, etc. This book is a priceless tool, and it has already been used as a foundation for more comprehensive treatments of the historical Jesus. Be sure to buy it and the sequel, "Social Science Commentary on the Gospel of John".

This is an updated and improved version of the earlier '92 publication, with material re-arranged for easier reading, and new commentary as well.

I enjoyed the book that, with its companion "on the gospel of John", form a source of "inside" information that otherwise I woudln't have access to. The book is structure according to a regular commentary with additional "notes" or "reading scenarious." Unfortunately, there are no footnotes; therefore, when they tell you abuot a particular custom of that time, there is no direct reference to a primary source. Therefore, you have to take their words for it. There is a bibliography, which can help a bit, but still you're left with no way to further a specific point.

I really enjoyed this book. I expected it to be written in a way that would be hard to read, but it was actually written very simply and in a format that made it easy to understand. It doesn't go as in depth as a would have liked on certain subjects, but its a good survey of Biblical Archeology.

This book is a wonderful tool for adult Sunday school teachers or those who want to learn more about the truths of the Bible.

Who says the Bible is myth? And who says archaeology is boring? This is a captivating book, one that has turned my travel fantasies from Germany and Austria to the Holy Land.

This book has so many strong points:

First of all, the author's uncompromising integrity gives his information tremendous plausibility. He rejects popular theories that lack true evidence, even if those theories would support his own beliefs. He's very honest about the limits of archeology, whether you are a biblical skeptic or a believer. He also admits that, due to ongoing discoveries, any book on archeology is outdated before it goes to print. Such humility is a refreshing change from how many archeologists, both minimalists (biblical scholars who minimize the authority of biblical text as a reliable source of historical and factual information about the past)and maximalists (biblical scholars who give maximum authority to the Bible as a source of, etc.), present their finds. Regardless, the finds that have stood the test are presented here in fascinating detail, both photographic and literary.

Price also emphasizes archeology's limits (mostly do to financial constraints). For example, Price writes that only 10% of discovered cuneiform tablets have been published. So yes, 50,000 tablets is a lot, but remember that means that there are 450,000 tablets that haven't been published. There is a lot of information like this in the book.

The discoveries and their conclusions are fascinating. I particularly liked the chapter discussing Sodom, its possible location, and the evidence discovered there showing that the houses had burned from the rooftops and downward.

Great photos throughout the book, and good organization,including a glossary.

Price maintains an admirably respectful tone when writing about minimalist archeologists, even though their beliefs and archeological philosophies must totally contradict his.

Price is obviously and enthusiastically Christian, but he doesn't in any way force his religious views on the reader, nor does he put down other religions. I'm Jewish, so I think I would've picked up on any slights (to my own religion, at least).

The style and tone of his writing is enjoyable. He has a sense of fun and wonder about his work that really comes through. It could be a dry subject, but Price gives it life.

Just a FYI: Here in Israel, a minimalist archeologist repeatedly insists that archeological evidence shows that camels were absolutely not domesticated in the time of Abraham. When a maximalist archeologist showed him clear and numerous evidence that camels WERE domesticated then, and that the Bible wasn't lying, the minimalist said he didn't care, and continues to this day to restate his original (and proven false) claims. Minimalists are obviously no more objective than maximalists, which is why I think it's very important to read books by straight-shooting archeologists (regardless of their religious views)like Randall Price in order to get the whole story.

It goes without saying: I loved this book!

I was really excited to receive this book... however, I've had a difficult time enjoying reading it. The run-on sentences, poor grammer, and loose sentence structure are so distracting, that as a reader, you loose interest. I spent more time editing in my mind, then pulling together what the author was saying. Rather long-winded, I kept having the feeling of "let's get to the point." On a positive note, there are some fun pictures and the author does string together some interesting concepts. Personally, I just couldn't get past the writing. Summary - although interesting, don't expect concise writing.

I am doing this study for the third time. This study has changed my walk with the Lord. Kay Authur is an amazing teacher. This study is easy fast and deep. Don't miss it if you are a Christian.

Our Bible study group began this book in late fall 2007. We were looking for something that would encourage our spiritual growth, and one that would allow for sharing our insights as we studied together. This has probably been the best study we've done together - it's created an excitement in meeting, and there has been real growth - spiritually and numerically as well. It opens Scripture in a unique and thoughtful way, causing the members to really think about it.

I am a new christian and find this book speaks to me through the writer's words. I am finding myself anxious each day for the time to draw near to God through this author's words. I have never read any of her other books. I find this book makes me look at my life like I have never looked at it before. It makes me look at God as I have never dreamed possible. I am ordering 15 copies of this book and we are going to have a 9 week devotional on character at my church on Tuesday nights. I have showed it to other members of my church (only 98)and all interested will be taking the class with me. Whether you are now a christian or just became a christian I think most all would feel the same way after reading only the first chapture. You can not get enough of it.

Kay Arthur is an amazing author that is truely blessed by God. Having grown up in a home that didn't have God and was completely in the ways of the world, I discovered I need to do a lot of changing once I became a Christian and this book has totally helped me to not only discover the changes I need to make, but the scriptures I need to read to help me make the changes. I have since bought several more or her Bible Studies and cannot wait to get into them.

I knew when I ordered this study I would be facing a great spiritual challenge and I am. As a christian I know of the Sermon of the Mount and it's great blessing but this study digs very deep and very deep into my walk with Jesus. It was a painful journey at first and very humbling, even unto tears, but there is great joy in these beatitudes that I had been missing. If you want the "truth" about God and your heart, then prepare yourself for a great study!

The three-volume Deeper Connections series produced by Zondervan is unique. Unlike any other Bible study available, this visually stunning DVD series is taught and written by biblical experts - six professors with specialized areas of knowledge. The three volumes in this study series are :

1. The Parables of Jesus
2. The Prayers of Jesus
3. Miracles of Jesus

The Teachers featured on the series are : Dr. Gary Burge, Wheaton College; Dr. David Garland, Truett Theological Seminary; Dr. Mark Strauss, Bethel Seminary; Dr. Michael Wilkins, Talbot School of Theology; Dr. Matt Williams, Biola University; Dr. Ben Witherington III, Asbury Theological Seminary.

Hosted by Jarrett Stevens and filmed in locations as diverse as Gloucester harbor, the Holy Land, Boston's Old North Church, and Chicago's lakefront, each volume consists of six fascinating sessions. Each session is taught by a different instructor and consists of three components:

1. Historical and cultural background
2. An engaging, close look at the biblical text and its meaning
3. Accurate, encouraging, and challenging applications of the Bible's message to life today

Each volume is accompanied by a Participant Guide which is available separately allowing participants to make deeper connections with a knowledge of historical background of the Bible, biblical text, and real life applications.

'The Prayers of Jesus: Six In-Depth Studies Connecting the Bible to Life' is one of the volumes of the Deeper Connections series focusing on prayers of Jesus. Prayer was the backbone of Jesus' life and ministry. From his baptism to his crucifixion, the Gospels portray Jesus as a man of prayer who knew and deeply valued intimate communion with his heavenly Father. What can we learn from the prayers he prayed? This unique, in-depth look at the prayers of Jesus will give you new insights into prayer, the character of God, and how to deepen your relationship with him.

Six Sessions included on this DVD are:

Watch and Pray
Our God Listens
Joining in Jesus' Prayer
Praying to a Good God
Praying with Purpose
A Friend in High Places

Highly recommended for all students of the Bible!

My small group has enjoyed the teachings on the dvd (some more than others) and have learned lessons on prayer that we were not expecting. The contextual information and images of the Holyland are terrific. As with most 'what do you think' questions, my study members get tired of giving really obvious answers. My opinion is that the study questions are average, while the teachers and their points have more impact.

I think the dvd is too expensive.

Zondervan's "Deeper Connections" is an excellent resource for the church or any small group. Matt Williams, the general editor of the series, has gathered together a solid group of scholars who are experts in their fields, but who can also communicate to the church. These include Gary Burge, David Garland, Mark Strauss, Michael Wilkins, and Ben Witherington III.

The series consists of three separate dvds - The Prayers of Jesus, The Miracles of Jesus, and The Parables of Jesus - with six Bible studies on each dvd.

The series contains a dvd and participant's guide (both purchased separately). The dvd and guide are designed to follow a three-part pattern: a close look at the original meaning of the biblical text, attention to the historical and cultural background, and an encouraging and challenging application of the text's meaning for today. Thus, each study is broken up into three short segments that take small groups deeper into various texts of the Gospels. Between each of these teaching segments, there is time for group discussion. The dvd is well done, while not being overly flashy or distracting. Jarrett Stevens, the host, introduces each section from a different location in Israel. This may seem insignificant to some, but it truly helps set the scene and context as each location is relevant to the text that will be discussed on the dvd.

So far my small group has gone through the first three studies and it has produced a lot of valuable and fruitful conversations. The dvd teachers have all shown a great balance of challenging us to understand the texts and applying them to our lives. The dvd allows room for discussion, and the participants guide is clear and practical as it helps initiate conversations with relevant and challenging questions. My initial expectation was that I wouldn't learn much from these Bible studies. I was wrong. I have not only learned more about what Scripture means, but I have grown from the challenges and applications presented from each teacher on the dvd. The participant's guide also has a section for five days of personal reflection that centers on the text that was just studied.

Overall, Deeper Connections is a great Bible study series that challenges both our hearts and our minds and seeks to deepen our relationship with Jesus. It has definitely risen above my expectations. Whereas I have often felt like other Bible studies (not all) try to transform lives through good concepts with a Bible quote here or there, this series is solely founded and firmly based on Scripture. As it stands, my small group plans on purchasing the other two dvd studies.

Update: I would like to note that IA's review is both unacceptable and incomplete. He/she simply offers their opinion on the way the dvd was filmed, and the entire dvd is given a 1/5 stars over a preference! They have clearly not taken the time to review the content, the most important aspect of any Bible study a person/group is looking to purchase. My small group has never had a problem with the eye contact. Plus, I imagine Zondervan had plenty of review-groups that offered feedback before they sent this thing into full production. IA's review is clearly overstated.

I really had to hunt to get all these, but I am seriously disappointed for 2 reasons. First, the presenter. Oh dear. OH DEAR. I am sure he's a great guy and all, but a presenter fit for filming he simply is not. His attempts to appear spontaneous and unscripted make him look VERY silly. VERY SILLY. You can see straight through it as clear as day. This ties in with the cinematography. Each presenter is teaching an invisible person. The camera angles follow the person if they are walking, or still, slightly to the side of the person. But where is the person the presenter is talking to? Oh my gosh. EYE CONTACT. They never eyeball the camera. It makes you feel very weird. I have never seen anything filmed like this. So the whole entire time you're watching you just want to see who the HECK are you talking to? but you never see, because there isn't anyone, and it is insanely frustrating. So it's like the presenters are talking to you, but they NEVER look at you. Argh. It's an exercise in patience as it just makes you want to slap the guy and say, "HEY, I'm over HERE, LOOK at me". The way I am expressing it, it doesn't sound like a big deal, but watch it and you'll find out. Imagine watching Katie Kuric on the evening news, but she's looking to the diagonal all the time, never at you, you'd want to slap the TV.

Another problem is the continual stop-start nature of the teachings. Every few minutes you need to hit play to keep going.

My second serious gripe is the way they have encoded the DVD. Clearly the DVD producer didn't know how to create scripts in the project because every chapter has been saved as a title. This means ripping the DVD to watch on your AppleTV or iPod, computer etc is impossible. To some this will not matter, but for me it's a big issue.

I am sure the teaching is great, if only I could stand to watch it, which I just can't. I have tried several times over the last few months and it's just frustrating. Overall it's an incredibly amateurish project totally out of character for something with Zondervan's name on it. This is why it simply must have a 1 star rating.

Some women compare this to Woman thou Art Loosed; however, I see it as more of a open truth about how men feel but don't share. Jakes speaks of his experiences, as well as, compares how other men relate to life's struggles, disappointments and really how not to stay in the pit of feeling horrible from what seems a finality of what they see. Life is a struggle for men and women, but women seem to shake it off because we will cry and scream. Men tend to grow bitter and hold on to past hurts in a different type of resentment. I appreciated the care he took to separate the emotions in each chapter. It is a good read.

I saw a clip of his sermon on television and I thought this was his sermon. I was really disappointed when I put it in and it was his book which I already had. On top of that it's not even his voice reading the book. His book/CD obviously caters to the women of broken men; who are going to buy this for thier man. I have to warn you that unless you've been to prison, are in a gang or do drugs this may not appeal to you. If you're like me and grew up in a suburban middle class neighborhood you probably won't get much out of this CD.

I think the material in this audio book is amazing.
I have a hard time getting through it because of the actor chosen to read the text.
His voice and affectations are beyond annoying.
I wish careful consideration would be given when it comes to choosing who is to read for the audio book!

I was looking forward to listening to this ministry during my vacation. However much to my surprise, it was not T.D. Jakes voice I heard when I plug in my earphones. The readers monotone voice made the words of T.D. Jakes less inspiring.

I actually did not get through the first few chapters before I just turned it off. I think I have to order the DVD in order to obtain the inspiration I was seeking.

The book was in excellent shape. This is a must read for men and men who work with and for men. It is an excellent resource for us all. T D Jakes writes in a style that makes this books understandable to all of us. It does not blame, but he very candidly states the problem and what we should do to obtain help and end the cycle of men in pain.

The Barclay commentaries are solid information biblically, and in a small book package which is far easier to handle than most Bible commentaries.

Dr. William Barclay (1907-78), an ordained minister in the Church of Scotland and Glasgow University Professor, is largely remembered today for his seventeen-volume Daily Study Bible. This book is part of the revised edition, which came out in 1975, and uses the Revised Standard Edition of the Bible, rather than the Authorized (King James) Version. In this book, each of the three sections begins with a wonderful, in-depth introduction, which gives a wealth of background information on the city and church involved, along with an explanation of the issues involved in the letter. After that, the author launches into a verse-by-verse examination of the letter.

This is a great commentary on Philippians, Colossians and the two Thessalonian letters! His analyses are both exhaustive, and yet easily grasped by the lay reader. I bought this book to assist me in a Sunday school class that I was teaching, and it was one of the best purchases that I have ever made. I highly recommend this book.

Barclay's book on The Letters to the Philippians, Colossians and Thessalonians is an excellent analysis of these books of the Bible.

Barclay provides an introduction to each book before proceeding to a line-by-line, verse-by-verse discussion of the text and its meaning.

The author has a very good understanding of the history and backround of these books and shows detailed knowledge of the language used by Paul. His commentary sheds light on the reasons for Paul's letters and clearly explains the specific guidance Paul was offering to these followers.

Finally, I liked the quotes and short stories Barclay tossed in with his analysis. It's a good book for Bible study. It's easy to read a little bit each day. It's also easy to spend a great deal of time reflecting on the most meaningful passages.

If you've never experienced the 'magic' (pardon the non-Christian phrase) of Bishop Wright's commentaries on the New Testament, you have missed something marvelous. His insight and writing style are spellbinding, and, while not many Americans are Anglican, his theology fits in with virtually any evangelical denomination in America. You think you might know the New Testament, but I suspect you won't have it really 'come alive' until you read Tom Wright's take on the Bible.

Tom Wright has written a series of New Testament commentaries that are easy and enjoyable to read. He combines excellent scholarship and insight with reader friendly simplicity. I highly recommend the Everyone series to everyone. In each book a very readable translation of the New Testament book being discussed, is provided by Tom Wright. He follows this by a story or anectedote and then gives his insightful comments on the text itself. At the end of each book is a helpful glossary of terms.

The Pastoral Letters cover the books of the New Testament known as 1 and 2 Timothy and Titus. Wright deals with some very difficult texts about women keeping silent and the qualifications of bishops and deacons. These books serve as a Pastor and or church leaders manuel. The letters also deal with what to do about difficult people and false teachers. If you are a church leader you will be helped by these epistles and Tom Wright's scholarship and experience.

If I had to give up everything but my Bible, this work would be on my top three "to keep" list. It is a wealth of information. Seldom do I preach, teach or approach any Biblical sermon or topic without consulting Baxter.

Baxter takes each book of the Bible and analyzes it like a masterful painting. His interpretative method of dissection holds the Scriptures in their high place, and wonderfully unveils the very plan and purposes of God woven throughout them. It is a magnum opus of Biblical exposition.

From lay Sunday School teacher to seminarian, _Explore The Book_ provides great utility. It is among the most practical and useful tools on my bookshelf.

It is actually a three volume set in one, and is a bargain when you consider the price against its utility.

Explore the Book by J. Sidlow Baxter is an absolute phenomenon. This book is to be compared with C-4. It is powerful and explosive!! Baxter does a superior job in analyzing the Holy Scriptures and presenting the facts so that the average lay person may fully grasp pertinent spiritual knowledge. I particularly appreciate how Baxter provides the historical account of the Bible. It helps the reader to understand the original scene and setting, which further assists in our relating the Bible to our modern culture. We do not possess the Bible but we possess a translation of the Bible and Baxter delivers a solid and accurate supplement to our social and cultural understanding. Explore the Book is a must read for everyone that is involved in some kind of ministry. From historical analysis to "type teaching", Baxter's writing clearly packs an awesome punch! I highly recommend that every library of Christian literature save an open slot for Explore the Book. Kudos!

Baxter's "Explore the Book" is one of the most excellent surveys of scripture available. Dr. Baxter's comments are warm, devotional, and practical. However, his suggestion of a possible mid-tribulational rapture (instead of pre-tribulational) concerns me, as does his hyper-dispensational view that Israel was offered the Kingdom a second time in the book of Acts. The Bible clearly teaches that Israel will not receive the Kingdom until the glorious appearing of Jesus Christ and the establishment of his literal, physical Millenial Reign at the end of the Great Tribulation period. Overall, I would recommend this book to anyone desiring a deeper understanding of the Bible.

Explore the Book is an excellent source for Bible study. It is extremely detailed, but readable. Baxter's style is scholarly, yet his descriptions are easily understood by readers of all levels of understanding of the Word.

I recommend it highly.

Baxter's Explore the Book can be likened to a treasure map. The Bible is full of gems, a veritable (and verifiable) treasure trove of insight, information, encouragement, and direction, all given under the inspiration of God. At times, though, the underlying message can seem hard to find, or to fully understand when it is discovered. This is where the value of Explore the Book comes in-it is the map to help the reader discover the treasure of God's Word in its fullness.

Explore the Book is actually a complete Bible survey course in one (rather large but comprehensive) volume. Each book of the Bible is given an overview including analysis, a synopsis, and the special features of each. More importantly, however, are the practical applications of the meaning and of the message in each book of the Bible.

Even readers without any background in Bible study will find Explore the Book greatly interesting and helpful, as will those more experienced students of Scripture (including pastors and teachers). This book leads the reader/student to a deeper awareness and appreciation of the grand themes of the Word of God, from Genesis through Revelation.