Thru the Bible Vol. 15: History of Israel

Thru the Bible #15

by J. Vernon McGee

Radio messages from J. Vernon McGee delighted and enthralled listeners for years with simple, straightforward language and clear understanding of the Scripture. Now enjoy his personable, yet scholarly, style in a 60-volume set of commentaries that takes you from Genesis to Revelation with new understanding and insight. Each volume includes introductory sections, detailed outlines and a thorough, paragraph-by-paragraph discussion of the text. A great choice for pastors - and even better choice for the average Bible reader and student! Very affordable in a size that can go anywhere, it's available as a complete 60-volume series, in Old Testament or New Testament sets, or individually.

Genres: Christian

242 pages, Kindle Edition

First published December 28, 1991

About the author

John Vernon McGee was born in Hillsboro, Texas, in 1904. Dr. McGee remarked, "When I was born and the doctor gave me the customary whack, my mother said that I let out a yell that could be heard on all four borders of Texas!" His Creator well knew that he would need a powerful voice to deliver a powerful message.

As a student pastor, Dr. McGee's first church was located on a red clay hill in Midway, Georgia. It was there that he received his greatest compliment: "It was from a country boy wearing high buttoned, yellow shoes. After a morning service he came to speak to me. He groped for words, then blurted out, 'I never knew Jesus was so wonderful!' He started to say more but choked up and hurried out of the church. As I watched him stride across the field, I prayed, 'Oh, God, help me to always preach so that it can be said, I never knew Jesus was so wonderful.'"

After completing his education (earning his A.B. from Southwestern University in Memphis, Tennessee; his B.D. from Columbia Theological Seminary in Decatur, Georgia; his Th.M. and Th.D. from Dallas Theological Seminary in Dallas, Texas), and after pastoring Presbyterian churches in Decatur, GA, Nashville, TN, and Cleburne, TX, he and his wife came west, settling in Pasadena, where he accepted a call to the Lincoln Avenue Presbyterian Church. He recalls this period as the happiest in his life, with a young family and a young congregation whom he loved.

Dr. McGee's greatest pastorate was at the historic, Church of the Open Door in downtown Los Angeles, where he served from 1949 to 1970. There he began a daily radio broadcast called "High Noon Bible Class" on a single station.

Dr. McGee began teaching Thru the Bible in 1967. After retiring from the pastorate, he set up radio headquarters in Pasadena, and the radio ministry expanded rapidly. Today the program airs on over 400 stations each day in the United States and Canada, is heard in more than 100 languages around the world and is broadcast worldwide via the Internet.

Reviews

[Will Norrid · Rating 3 out of 5]

Based off of McGee radio program and therefore personal rather than academic in tone. While perhaps a helpful introduction to the setting of the books, the scholarship is limited and the cultural examples are dated. I find the material accessible, but folksy to the point of discounting major themes. Much focus on application, but even when the principles are solid, the carry over to daily life dated and marked up with many of the trappings of early-mid 20th century fundamentalism. This may not be a reflection on McGee himself, but there is a definite timestamp on this work that, while helpful for background in how the church has viewed these biblical texts, renders it of less current help to today's Bible students.

[Garry Ostendorf]

excellent study guide.

[Brenda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good study guide to the books of Ezra, Nehemiah and Esther. They are in basically the same time frame and it was helpful to study them one after the other.

[Ron · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sound biblical scholarship but light. Practical but very fundamentalist. About 1960's in outlook, not very useful for today - too narrow. Stories are too narrow and limited, most of the writing is McGee's thoughts and remininisings, very little scholarship. Some useful insights as to the historical settings for these three books. Each chapter is short enough to be a daily devotion.

[Eileen Keir · Rating 2 out of 5]

Didn't care for it

I don't like being addressed as my friend. Some insights were good, others I felt were mere conjecture. I've I to see how !ordeal for example was out of God's will. Disappointed. Always heard good things about this author.