- A Mentor Commentary

by John L Mackay

This is a first rate, high quality commentary on the book of Hosea. Written as part of the ‘Mentor’ commentary series this is an in-depth look at this minor prophet. As such it is aimed at the serious Bible student and pastor.
In an excellent introduction, Mr. Mackay shows us that the theme of the book is divine love in the face of human sin and failure. He highlights how Israel had been drawn away from the true God by material wealth and pagan idols. Judgement is inevitable unless the people repent. He also provides a wealth of background information about the historical setting, composition and style.
The author then proceeds to provide a verse by verse commentary which includes his own translation of the text. The meaning of key Hebrew words is explained before the passage is applied. He brings out the richness of the Hebrew prose and poetry. Every few pages Mr. Mackay pauses and gives some helpful points of reflection.
Although an academic book it is not written in a dry academic way. Instead, this commentary breathes spiritual warmth and light. We find an author who has been personally gripped by the compelling story we find in Hosea. Preachers and teachers who love God’s word will love this book.

Review by Alan Hill (04/05/12)

Hardback
Price: £19.99
Publisher: Mentor, imprint of Christian Focus
Published: March 2011
ISBN: 978-1-845-50634-6

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A Commentary on Acts

by Yon Gyong Kwon

Yon Gyong Kwon’s is certainly a detailed discussion of what is a very important book. It is clear and well presented. The reader is taken verse by verse through the text, the whole being subdivided into study length sections with additional ‘interpretation’ and ‘study suggestion’ summaries. There is also a series of four ‘theological essays’ exploring Acts themes.
Some measure of explanation with cross-references is offered for each verse and this will be immensely useful to the more literal reader. However Acts is one of the most difficult books of the New Testament to evaluate. Unlike the Gospels where we have four versions to compare, here we only have one. It is therefore important to use whatever sources are available to help us sift the text. This is largely missing from the discussion so that the book gives a very monochromatic view. Having said that, there is much here to stimulate further reading.

Review by Paul Scott (30/04/12)

Paperback
Price: £12.99
Publisher: SPCK (Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge)
Published: March 2012
ISBN: 978-0-281-06409-0

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The Paul of Surprises

- His Vision of the Christian Life

by Geoffrey Turner

The repackaging of St Paul goes on apace. This is not an adventurous text and therefore Geoffrey Turner’s ‘surprises’ are less than earth-shattering. However he has produced a useful book that explores the character of the man and his approach to the gospel. The short introduction sets Paul’s writing in an historical perspective that is brief but adequate.
Each of the ten subsequent chapters takes a different aspect, for instance ‘humility’ or ‘holiness’; ‘slavery’ or ‘life in Christ’. It therefore illustrates, in a packaged form, the complexity of the man Paul, and that some of the commonly held perceptions of him are at least inadequate. This is not a Paul who is wedded slavishly to the Law but is more concerned with what makes a person tick. It would be a useful book for a preacher needing to refresh his ideas, or for any student who needed a good concise but stimulating text that could even make the two of you friends.

Review by Paul Scott (24/04/12)

Paperback
Price: £14.99
Publisher: DLT (Darton, Longman and Todd Ltd)
Published: January 2012
ISBN: 978-0-232-52892-3

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Major Points From the Minor Prophets

by John Blanchard

The bible is as relevant as the morning newspaper. Apologetics, evangelisation and teaching fuse well here in a scholarly and accessible way over those most avoided parts of scripture:- the twelve minor prophets. This would have benefited from greater length and detail, due to the quality of writing. There is a fresh writing style, cultural insights and great appreciation of the incomparable redemptive purposes of God! Lean, truth-telling here powerfully restates the beauty of God’s goodness in life, albeit in conservative theology. A very helpful Bible and faith tool.

Review by Johnny Douglas (14/04/12)

Paperback
Price: £9.99
Publisher: EP (Evangelical Press)
Published: Spring 2012
ISBN: 978-0-852-34782-9

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Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Whole Bible

by Matthew Henry

From Genesis to Revelation, Matthew Henry successfully combines practical application, devotional insight, and scholarship on the entire Bible. Henry has profound insights on the content, message and nature of God's divine revelation. It is perfect for all readers of the Bible who want a comprehensive commentary. This edition includes the entire text of Matthew Henry's original multivolume commentary in modern, easy-to-read type, and now includes a premium CD-ROM with the complete text in multiple electronic formats: The PDF format is supported by both Windows[registered] and Macintosh[registered]; The Lightning Study Bible format is for Windows PCs; and the PDA format is for handheld devices. Each of the formats allows the user to do full-text searches across volumes and to add notes, and integrates the Matthew Henry text with the other bonus titles included on the CD.

Review by publisher

Hardback
Price: £16.99
Publisher: Thomas Nelson
Published: January 2001
ISBN: 978-0-785-25047-0

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Ecclesiastes

- The Philippians of the Old Testament

by William D. Barrick

This detailed yet readable commentary breathes years of scholarly study. William Barrick, professor of Old Testament at the Masters Seminary, has provided us with a thorough verse by verse analysis of this neglected book.
Writing from a reformed, evangelical perspective, the author’s thesis is that Ecclesiastes shows the reflective path to wisdom in contrast to the practical path we find in Proverbs. He shows that that the writer’s aim is to convince man of the uselessness of any worldview that does not have God at the centre.
I immediately warmed to this book when Professor Barrick persuasively argues that Solomon must be the author. I also liked how he quotes extensively from other writers and outlines their different opinions before setting out his own view. There is also a fascinating epilogue in which he lists all the allusions to Ecclesiastes in the New Testament.
One aspect not developed is the evangelistic use that can be made of Ecclesiastes. Is there any book in the Bible that so clearly speaks to our modern society that is in practice so atheistic?
Any serious Bible student will find this commentary well worth reading. Not all will agree with his interpretation but its 200 pages are packed with insightful thoughts and edifying information about Ecclesiastes.

Review by Alan Hill (12/04/12)

Paperback
Price: £9.99
Publisher: Christian Focus Publications
Published: Spring 2012
ISBN: 978-1-845-50776-3

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Rocks and Breakers - A Presentation of the Gospel According to St Mark by Richard Ferguson
ISBN: 9-990-00051-4 Price: £9.95	Published: 2008
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The Later New Testament Writers and Scripture by Steve Moyise
ISBN: 978-0-281-06386-4 Price: £15.99	Published: February 2012
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Jesus and His World - The Archaeological Evidence by Craig A. Evans
ISBN: 978-0-281-06097-9 Price: £12.99	Published: January 2012
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Paul Vol 1 – Encountering the Apostle and Missionary: Face to Face by Roger Ellsworth
ISBN: 978-1-846-25294-5 Price: £6.00	Published: January 2012
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Understanding Scripture - An Overview of the Bible’s Origin, Reliability and Meaning Edited by Wayne Grudem, C. John Collins and Thomas R. Schreiner
ISBN: 978-1-844-74564-7 Price: £8.99	Published: 2012
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Presence, Power and Promise - The Role of the Spirit of God in the Old Testament Edited by David G. Firth & Paul D. Wegner
ISBN: 978-1-844-74534-0 Price: £19.99	Published: 17 June 2011
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Daniel - Encountering the Jerusalem Exile Living in a Babylon World: Face to Face by Roger Ellsworth
ISBN: 978-1-846-25223-5 Price: £5.00	Published: 2010
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Judas - Encountering the Betrayer of Jesus: Face to Face by Andrew Wheeler
ISBN: 978-1-846-25192-4 Price: £5.00	Published: 2010
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Listen to The Gospels by Richard Ferguson
ISBN: 978-1-841-04534-4 Price: £12.50	Published: 2011
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Commentary on Galatians - Kregel Classic Reprint Library by Martin Luther, Translated by Erasmus Middleton, edited by John Prince Fallows
ISBN: 978-0-825-43083-1	Published: 10 October 2006
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Ezra - Encountering God’s Revival Man: Face to Face by Chris Hughes
ISBN: 978-1-846-25298-3 Price: £5.00	Published: 2011
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The Wisdom of the Cross - Exploring 1 Corinthians Edited by Brian S. Rosner
ISBN: 978-1-844-74548-7 Price: £14.99	Published: 16 September 2011
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Joseph - Encountering the Man Who Saved His People: Face to Face by Roger Ellsworth
ISBN: 978-1-846-25293-8 Price: £5.00	Published: 2011
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Israel in the New Testament - Revised edition by David Pawson
ISBN: 978-1-901-94969-8 Price: £9.99	Published: 2010
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