Review: "Kerux Commentaries: Colossians and Philemon"

 

From The Kerux Commentary series: Colossians and Philemon:  A Commentary for Biblical Preaching and Teaching by Adam Copenhaver and Jeffery D. Arthurs – the first being an exegetic author and the second, a homiletics author.

This is the second commentary I have reviewed from this series – and these commentaries are full – making this a useful commentary for preachers, teachers, and seminary students. It can also be well used in Bible-study groups.

Each section begins with the exegetical idea, the theological focus, preaching ideas, and preaching pointers – each of these is given a fuller examination at the end of the commentary section. Then, the authors give the literary structure and themes of the text and then into the commentary proper. Throughout the commentary, there are boxes with questions and explanations about the text and the ideas in the text. Finally, they include a list of discussion questions.

As I said, these commentaries are jam-packed with useful information for preaching and teaching, and this is where I have difficulty with the commentary – not with all of the information given with the commentary, but with the format of the commentary.  I find it confusing. I would appreciate the work that must have gone into this commentary more if all the other information was not interspersed throughout the commentary.  I would rather have separate chapters with the information prior to the actual commentary.

This commentary and the series are certainly useful, though I found it confusing to use.

I received this book for free from Kregel in exchange for an honest review.

[This review appears on my blog, Amazon.com, Kregel.com, and Goodreads.com].

Review: "The Biggest Story Bible Storybook"

 

The Biggest Story Bible Story by Kevin DeYoung and illustrated by Don Clark is what it says it is:  a big book of the major stories of the Bible – with an emphasis on how the Bible is one story.

DeYoung writes the Bible story on an older elementary school level, though younger children can understand it being read to them with some help. The illustrations by Clark are attractive and appropriate to the text.

The pros of this book are both showing that the Bible is, indeed, one story, and putting it on a language level that younger children can understand better than many translations of the Bible.

The caveats about this book – not necessarily cons – are: (For those who believe the Second Commandment forbids pictures of Jesus) there are pictures of Jesus. Second, this would be considered a paraphrase and errors are more likely in paraphrases than in translations. Third, and most importantly, if you use this book, also make sure that you read and introduce children to the actual text of the Bible – reading it to them, explaining it to them, and having them read it as early as possible. You, as the adult, can explain and answer questions about the actual text.

Thus, this can be a useful book – when used carefully.

[This review appears on my blog, Amazon.com, and Goodreads.com].

Review: "Preaching Life-Changing Sermons"

 

Preaching Life-Changing Sermons:  Six Steps to Developing and Delivering Biblical Messages by Jesse L. Nelson was written to help those who don’t have seminary training (as Nelson didn’t when he began preaching at age fourteen), as a text for ministers to discuss, for use in seminaries, etc.  He states that he is writing from and is influences by black preaching tradition.

Nelson’s work is commendable in arguing that a sermon is to be developed through prayer and study, relying on the Holy Spirit, understanding the text in its grammatico-historical context, preaching what the text says, and addressing it with your congregation – its strengths and weakness – in mind.

It is helpful to understand where he is coming from – his influences – and he lists numerous preachers and their works throughout his book.

However, for a number of reasons, I cannot recommend this book:

Nelson argues that there is a lack of illustration and application in sermons – and he often uses stories about himself, his family, and friends. Although he says that the sermon – and applications – must be what the text says, not what the preacher wants it to say – I find todays preachers illustration and application heavy – taking away from the Gospel and the Glory of God.

Nelson conflates preaching though a book with preaching verses or sections of a book and/or a topical series.

And Nelson approvingly cites preachers with questionable doctrinal positions, such as Tony Evans.

For these reasons, it would be best to look to another book on preaching.

I received this book for free from Kregel in exchange for an honest review.

[This review appears on my blog, Amazon.com, Kregel.com, and Goodreads.com].