VT Christian Reading Challenge discussion

What recommendations does everyone have for the commentary book? I have several commentaries, but they are thousands of pages. Not quite what I want to start January off with...

I have several volumes in the Christ Centered Exposition series. I'm planning on reading one of those. They are edited by David Platt and Tony Merida.

Every so often they put them on sale for Kindle for around $1.99. That's how I got all of mine.

When I get to the "commentary" category, I think I'm just going to read one of Michael Card's gospel books. They are described as "narrative commentaries," so probably not as official as an enormous one, but more feasible for me.
Michael Card is a very insightful lyricist, and so I look forward to reading his take on the gospels... I think he's done all but John so far.

If I didn't already have those in the house, I'd probably go with one of Tim Keller's (Galatians, Judges, etc.)... none of which I've read yet, but I'd like to. I think those are described more as "expository guides," but I know I'd get a lot more out of them than a super-long theologically dense commentary.

I love the reformed expository commentary series. They are written in more of a sermon type of format so it is very readable and not overly technical. I go through a chapter a day during my bible study time. You could start with a shorter one (James, Philippians etc...) and be through it rather quickly.

The Tyndale Commentary series is generally good. I'd highly recommend the Derek Kidner ones from that series. Small, clear, insightful and devotional. Good stuff.

It is thousands of pages, but Matthew Henry is still hard to beat. William MacDonald's 'Believer's Bible Commentary' is pretty terrific as well.

I love "The Bible Speaks Today" series - they're incredibly readable but still thorough. I've heard the one on Isaiah is great, though I read Stott's on Romans.

If you want a book that's not quite so thick, but still good, please get a copy of Way into the Holiest by F.B. Meyer. He's one of my favorite "lost" authors and that book in particular is one of the most Jesus-exalting commentaries I've ever read. Plus it's on the book of Hebrews, which is I think perhaps the most underrated book in the whole Bible [The OT fulfilled! Jesus is better! Reminders of eternity! Rest, grace, comfort, warning! So good].

So anyone reading this - get it.

Until the NIV Application Commentary came along, The Bible Speaks Today was definitely my favorite commentary series. I like the layout of The NIV Application Commentary series--Original Meaning, Bridging Contexts and Contemporary Significance.

Has anyone ever read any of the commentaries from the series Zondervan Illustrated Bible Backgrounds Commentary? I was thinking about getting the Romans, Galatians commentary by Moo, Martin, and Wu on the Kindle. But I was wondering if anyone had any input as far as how this series compares to any of the recommendations that are listed in the above discussion?

At bestcommentaries.com, you can see many commentaries marked 'T' for "Technical", 'P' for "Pastoral", or 'D' for "Devotional". That can give you a rough guide to how much of the original language you need to be familiar with the commentary, and what sort of audience for which it was written. As someone who's never taken Greek or Hebrew, I'd personally avoid something marked 'T' alone. On the other hand, I'm ok with William Lane's The Gospel of Mark, which I'm picking for this list, marked 'T' and 'P'. I used it as a reference for substitute teaching an adult Sunday School class, but haven't read the whole thing.

Of course, our host also has a set of recommendations available for use.

David wrote: "At bestcommentaries.com, you can see many commentaries marked 'T' for "Technical", 'P' for "Pastoral", or 'D' for "Devotional". That can give you a rough guide to how much of the original language ..."

Thank so much for this great info, David!

If you are looking for a challenge, check out the New American Commentary series. Deeper than Opening Up series or Christ Centered series, but worth the effort. Well written by different authors, each focusing on one book. This allows more detailed study then when one author writes a commentary through the entire bible.

Romans: "Reading Romans in context" is an interesting book and it's doable for anybody! It helps you understand the cultural and theological context in which Romans was written.

Job: "The gospel according to Job" M Mason is excellent.

Regarding Romans commentaries, I just downloaded "Commentary on Romans for Cambodia and Asia," by personal acquaintance J.D. Crowley, who works in the province of Rattanakiri in the far northeast of Cambodia.

I am going with one of the Christ Centered Exposition series.

Also, Dr. Danny Akien has a pamphlet on his website on "Building a Theological Library" with lots of great recommendations. He also marks them with the D, P, T system.

http://www.danielakin.com/building-a-...

Robert Candlish's commentary on I John is not quick or easy, but very very worthwhile. I am reading slowly, a page or two a day, which is doable and gives me plenty of time to chew on the meat. I won't be able to check it off for a while, but I'm okay with that! :)

For OT, I would highly recommend Dale Ralph Davis' commentaries in the Christian focus series. He also has written one on Daniel in the Bible speaks today series. They are top notch!

Sarah wrote: "I love "The Bible Speaks Today" series - they're incredibly readable but still thorough. I've heard the one on Isaiah is great, though I read Stott's on Romans.

If you want a book that's not quite..."

I second the recommendation for "The Bible Speaks Today." I'm currently reading the Isaiah one side by side with my Bible, and it's very helpful.

"The Bible Speaks Today" is definitely my most-used commentary series!

Just started one by Watchman Nee. I'm excited!

I loved the approachable and very readable style of Michael Card's JOHN, the Gospel of Wisdom. Great commentary and it comes in at a very readable 217 pages.

Gospel of John by d a Carson was great but long

For this category I've started to read "Esther & Ruth" by Iain M. Duguid and so far it's been great! If you don't mind a slightly quirky (but insightful) commentary, I would recommend this one.

I've been enjoying More Than Conquerors (on Revelation) by William Hendriksen, and I'd highly recommend it for clarity and readability.

Todd wrote: "I am going with one of the Christ Centered Exposition series.

Also, Dr. Danny Akien has a pamphlet on his website on "Building a Theological Library" with lots of great recommendations. He also ma..."

Thank you for this, Todd! I've been looking to do this to my own library at home and this is just what I was looking for.