In this weeks episode I introduce some of my favorite reads from 2019, including my Top 5.  Here are the titles discussed:

Honorable Mentions:

Genesis by Richard P. Belcher Jr.

Top 5 Books – 2019

1- According to Luke by David Gooding

This week’s episode centers around a discussion of the Book of Daniel and six challenges to understanding it’s message. The six challenges include:

Authors discussed include:

Bad Guys:

John Goldingay

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

New Testament Surveys

Beginner’s Level:

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

Heart of the New Testament by H. I. Hester

The New Testament Book by Book by Roy Cogdill

Intermediate Level:

Waldron Three Year Study Set

New Testament Commentary by Wayne Jackson

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

An Introduction to the New Testament by Carson and Moo

Mixed Bags:

Survey of the New Testament by Robert Gundry

Popular Survey of the New Testament by Norman Geisler

Individual Book Surveys:

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

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

Advanced Surveys: New Testament Theologies

A Theology of Matthew by Charles Quarrells

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

Theology of the Book of Revelation by Richard Bauckham

Bad Guys: Raymond E. Brown and Bart Ehrman

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

Introductory Surveys:

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

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

Other Books Referenced include:

Jesus and Jonah by J. W. McGarvey

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

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

Devotional Read:

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

Books Referenced:

Zechariah: A Christian Interpretation by James E. Smith 

ESV Expository Commentary on Zechariah by Anthony Peterson

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

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

Books that receive honorable mention include:

Between the Cross and the Throne by Matthew Emmerson