The Baker Compact Dictionary of Biblical Studies Book Review

SUMMARY:  CLEAR, CONCISE, AND ACCURATE DEFINITIONS OF MORE THAN 500 BIBLICAL TERMS AND TOPICS.
     When it comes to the realm of biblical studies, students of the Bible are often overwhelmed, both with the sheer volume of information and with all of the unfamiliar terms, concepts, and topics. Like any other field of study, the serious study of the Bible has developed a specialized vocabulary. The key terms in this important field are defined in The Compact Dictionary of Biblical Studies. It provides clear, concise, and accurate definitions to help students of the Bible make sense of the specialized language of biblical studies.

REVIEW:  If you want to learn more about the bible but are intimidated with all the resources out there and the sizes of the books available (some of them are HUGE!!!), this might be the book for you.  The authors have defined common, and not so common words, used by Christian theologians, pastors and bible studies leaders.  Scholars of the Old and New Testaments and other men and women who have shaped how we study and interpret scripture are noted along with their contributions to the study and understanding of the bible.  Also included are words not found in the bible but are used to help understand the culture, times and customs of the Old and New Testaments.  It's nice to have something I can throw in a bag with my bible and notebook that can help me in my pursuit of a better understanding of God and His Word.  If you want to expand your knowledge, this would be a great place to start.

This book was provided by Baker Books for review without any compensation.

Tremper Longman, III (PhD, Yale University) is Distinguished Scholar of Biblical Studies at Westmont College in Santa Barbara, California.  He has authored or coauthored numerous books, including An Introduction to the Old Testament and How to Read Proverbs.

Mark L Strauss (PhD, University of Aberdeen) is University Professor of New Testament at Bethel Seminary.  He is the author of several books, including Distorting Scripture? and Four Portraits, One Jesus.

The World of Jesus Book Review

Making Sense of the People and Places of Jesus' Day

SUMMARY:  Know Jesus better by understanding what shaped his world.

     Sometimes it's hard to find your bearings in the New Testament, as you enter the time and place of Jesus and His disciples.  There are confusing practices, new people groups, and even unexplained religious conflicts.  How did it all come about?

     Dr. William Marty walks you through the history leading up to the arrival of Jesus in order to help you better understand His life and teachings.  He answers such questions as:

• Why did "Israelites" start being called "Jews"?
• What's a "synagogue" and what happened to worshipping in the temple?
• Who were the Pharisees and why was Jesus so upset with them?
• Why didn't anyone like the Samaritans?

     Get to know the times in which Jesus lived, so you'll better understand His teaching and ministry.  And along the way, discover how God prepared the world for the One who would turn it upside down.

 

REVIEW:  This novel is a wonderful reference book that helps explain the situations and circumstances leading up to the time of Christ in a way modern-day Gentiles can understand.  The book starts out with a VERY brief history of the Israelite nation.  The author's main focus is on the circumstances of the exile into Babylon, the return of the Jews to Israel and the "Silent Years" where God's Spirit did not speak to the prophets before Jesus' birth.  The author explains the changes in political power in an easy-to-understand way along with how these changes affected the language and religious worship in the Middle East and the conflicts that developed.  This book helped me better understand this often overlooked time period in history and explains people groups and other events better than other books I've read.

     This would be a great book to have on hand as a reference when you read the gospels and even other parts of the New Testament.  It is one I will definitely keep and refer back to often.

This book was provided by Bethany House for review without compensation.

 

Dr. William H. Marty is Professor of Bible at Moody Bible Institute and author of the bestselling The Whole Bible Story.  Bill and his wife, Linda, attend Willow Creek, Chicago, a church they helped start.