Pastor Jim at Ex Libris is giving away a copy of this book. See his review post for details:
Archive for the 'Reading' Category
Looks like Crossway has some good stuff coming up (gallery of eight book covers).
They all look good, especially these two for me:
I found a list too if Facebook is a problem:
- Scandalous by D. A. Carson
- Leaders Who Last by Dave Kraft
- Ruth: Under the Wings of God by John Piper
- Liberating Black Theology by Anthony Bradley
- A Sincere and Pure Devotion to Christ by Sam Storms
- Be Still, My Soul by Nancy Guthrie, ED
- Mighty Acts of God by Starr Meade
This new book looks very interesting.
Roots: Let the Old Testament Speak by Alec Motyer
Motyer wrote the commentary on Isaiah that I’ve heard good things about and recently purchased.
This is only about $13 for a 400 page book.
Monergism now has free shipping on orders over $25 and the prices are good.
I haven’t been doing very well this week so posts are sparse. I may stick with quotes for a bit.
I started my first day of reading through the Old Testament using the NLT 24/7 Chronological Bible. I’m really looking forward to it.
I apologize for any repeats in these links.
- Louis at Church Connect has a list of many of the links at Justin Taylor’s blog–Between Two Worlds
- More Bible Reading Resources at Between Two Worlds
- Bible Reading Plans at Best-Bible.org (keep in mind the site is for sale)
- ESV Bible Reading Plans
- Bible Reading Plans at bibleplan.org – My favorite is the plan for reading Proverbs in a month which I thought was pretty humorous until I realized that they send you the Scripture for each day so that you can read it on a hand held device. They give you a choice of many different translations and languages.
- YouVersion has 20+ Bible Reading Plans mainly for hand held devices
- Professor Grant Horner’s Bible Reading System within this post with links to resources
Hold the presses! Be sure to see On Reading the Scriptures, Part I by Esteban Vázquez.
Nobody said you must read the entire Bible in exactly a year. You can read it in two months, which gives you a great overview if you’re able to do it. (I did it once and I’m not sure if I could do it again.) Or you can read it in two years. Justin Taylor points us to other plans in a post titled Bible Reading Plan for Shirkers and Slackers (also mentioned by Louis).
If you haven’t ever read the Bible you may want to start with one of the gospels, like the book of John. You can read three paragraphs a day if you’d like. Then maybe choose a plan that has an Old Testament and a New Testament reading each day. The important thing is to read it. One paragraph a day is infinitely better than nothing.
These are mainly for reading on a hand held type device but it could give you ideas for what’s out there in any case. You can access the plan through their web site, your mobile phone and using RSS.
Reading Plans
It case you’re wondering, as I’ve mentioned before I’ll be using the NLT 24/7 Chronological Bible for the OT next year and then for now plan to read using Professor Horner’s system in 2011.
Have you ever posted the same thing twice and didn’t realize it? In addition to the link above I also posted this on Horner’s reading plan back in August. My brain is pretty amazing.
To encourage a year of reading godly and edifying books, Working out Salvation with Fear and Trembling blog and his favorite publishing company, Crossway Books, have partnered together for the 2010 Book Give-a-Way! Each month he will give one brand new Crossway release to the readers of his blog.
I didn’t read a lot of regular books because I read commentaries of James through Revelation and Mark, Matthew and John. My favorite commentary was Revelation by Keener, which I did a mini review on but I loved reading them all. I also had surgery in January and was kind of out of it (or stupid as I called it) for a while.
My two favorites were A Call to Spiritual Reformation: Priorities from Paul and His Prayers by D.A. Carson which I did quite a few posts on and by far my favorite was In Christ Alone: Living the Gospel Centered Life by Sinclair Ferguson. I definitely plan on reading both of these again someday.
In the future I will be reviewing The Prayer of the Lord by R.C. Sproul and How to Enjoy Your Bible by John Blanchard.
I decided after Black’s beginning grammar book I would move on to his intermediate-intermediate It’s Still Greek to Me and his beginning linguistics book. I have Con Campbell’s verbal aspect book which I won and will read whether I understand it or not. I have Wallace’s intermediate book within Bibleworks so I’ll see at that point if I want to get into that. Sometimes I want to spend all my time on the Greek and other times I want to just read other stuff. I only have so much mental energy and focus time.
I’m still trying to spend less time on the internet which is a struggle. There’s a lot of good stuff that I’ve learn from but a lot of things to learn which are useless and a lot of useless arguing and people who don’t fear God that really add unnecessary stress. Sometimes I admire the old coots who don’t even get on the internet.
The Gospel of Luke (The New International Commentary on the New Testament) by Joel Green
Acts (Baker Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament) – by Darrell Bock
I now have and will have read next year one commentary on each book of the New Testament. I wish I could afford to have three in addition to one for each OT book but there’s always the library if I’m going to study something in-depth. I do plan on getting a couple more commentaries on Colossians someday.
The Prophecy of Isaiah: An Introduction & Commentary by J. A. Motyer
How Long, O Lord?: Reflections on Suffering and Evil by D.A. Carson
The UBS Greek New Testament: A Reader’s Edition – I may have been a little hasty in buying this but hopefully I will be able to make use of it by later next year. I appreciated Nick’s review.
Now is a time when people think about Bible reading and devotional reading for the next year.
Although I’ll be reading through the Old Testament using NLT’s 24/7, I’m extremely interested in Professor Grant Horner’s Bible Reading System which Nathan W. Bingham wrote about. I’d like to use that system in 2011. There is a link on Nathan’s site to a Scribd document of the system. However I found him on Facebook and found this link to a PDF file which you can download. Nathan’s site has bookmark images in Photoshop format if you want to use those for any reason.
Does anyone use this system?
For devotionals, there are a lot of hokey ones out there that aren’t much worth reading, especially if you want to learn something specifically about Scripture each day. Tim Challies has a Daily Devotional Roundup which includes a lot of good ones.
Do you have anything to gauge where you’re at spiritually? I’m talking about how willing your are to give it all up to God and how aligned you are to doing God’s will on a time line of a few weeks to a few months.
For me it’s reading Tozer’s The Pursuit of God. When I first read this short but challenging book, I just couldn’t get with the program. He’s talking about following hard after God, contentment–even with nothing, listening to and obeying God, humility etc. The second time I read it I had gone through a lot in my life and was so beaten down I was willing to give it all up. Since then I’ve wavered slightly, then got back with it, then realized I hadn’t given it up as much as I thought, found a lot more sin and had to go further to ‘get with the program’ again.
Trusting God by Jerry Bridges was a good help for me when I was afraid and needed to go farther.
On a daily basis I have indicators for if I’m angry, depressed, anxious etc. which affect my relationship with God but I’m interested to see if you have longer term indicators.
I have the prayers from the book printed out and go over those now and then which remind me of what’s written in the book. They are at the end of each chapter. I copied and pasted them from this site and printed them out.
After reading Esteban’s post I thought I should mention that I’m an Amazon Associate. This means that if you use the search box in the right column or click on most of the links to book on this site, there is code within the link so that Amazon knows that you came from this site. Then when someone buys a book I get a very small commission. There is no change in the price of the books bought this way.
As mentioned before, one way to help us bloggers out is to buy books by clicking on a book link or using the search box or buying through a person’s virtual store if they have one. Wherever you go from there throughout the site, Amazon will remember you. This doesn’t mean that Amazon tracks your every move that you make from then on, just for that visit to their site. If you see any black helicopters or people looking in your windows at night, I can assure you they’re not people from Amazon.
So that’s my disclosure and a reminder that when you buy your books from Amazon, please do it through your favorite blogger to help them support their habit site.
The untitled blog written by Kevin is giving away Jesus and “This Generation” by E. Lovestam. This book was published in 2004 and belongs to the Coniectanea Biblica New Testament Series.
Rules of the giveaway are simple:
Link to this post on your blog and you will be entered. Also, please just make a quick comment on this post just to be sure that I know you have entered. (I don’t want to accidentally miss out someone who did link to this post)
Shipping to USA addresses only.
The giveaway will be drawn on Friday September 18th.
The cover art looks spectacular.
Bitsy at Jack Of All Trades is giving away Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount and His Confrontation with the World: An Exposition of Matthew 5-10 by D.A. Carson.
Drawing rules:
- Shipping to USA addresses only. (My sincere apologies to my overseas friends, but postage is what it is!)
- Post here and on your blog for two entries. (either/or will get you one.)
The Sermon on the Mount is one of my favorite parts of the Bible and this book has been on my list already.
Do you get many sales through your Amazon Associates account via a bookstore that you have set up? I think I could have a very comprehensive list of books on suffering. I didn’t think that would be a popular subject but then saw how popular Piper’s book on suffering is on Amazon, even though it’s a free Kindle book (and a couple of days ago a book about learning Greek was #100). I think I could put together some other stuff too. But it would be a lot of work.
I don’t get many sales through book links here or the search box.
Would it be worth it?
I’m not familiar with this system. I’m passing along the links to the explanation of the system and a two part interview with a couple of guys named Tom and Rick who are friends of a guy named Brett. Even if you aren’t serious about using the plan, the posts are very interesting.
- Professor Horner’s Bible Reading Plan
- Professor Horner’s Bible Reading System: Interview with Tom Shelton and Rick Doctor, pt. 1
- Professor Horner’s Bible Reading System: Interview with Tom Shelton and Rick Doctor, pt. 2
HT: Cal.vini.st
I’m going through France’s commentary on Matthew. There is a very truncated introduction because the commentary is already 1200 pages long and he wrote a previous book called Matthew: Evangelist and Teacher which he expects you to read. So I checked out An Introduction to the New Testament: Contexts, Methods and Ministry Formation by David A. deSilva from the library for the second or third time. Since I had book money I decided to finally just buy it. My little library is sorely lacking in reference materials. This came highly recommended by Mike Aubrey and others and since I was able to take a look at it I knew I would like it. It was “A 2005 Gold Medallion finalist!” One of the things I really like about it is it “integrate[s] instruction in exegetical and interpretive strategies with their customary considerations of authorship, dating, audience and message”. (added emphasis)
Our group Bible study is going to be studying Ecclesiastes, which was my suggestion so I’m very glad about that. I already had Eaton’s Ecclesiastes and decided to spend another whole $6 and by Kidner’s (used) just to get another look. I may do a brief comparison at some point. I found that I like the NLT Study Bible’s treatment of Ecclesiastes better than the ESVSB mainly because the NLTSB is more thorough with more quantity of helpful information. I love Ecclesiastes and love it even more now.
I’ve been “learning” Greek using Croy’s beginning grammar book. I had been thinking it might be nice to get Black’s and/or Mounce’s just to get a well rounded treatment and possibly help me learn some things better by having them explained differently. I’m a NetGalley reviewer and requested Black’s Learn to Read New Testament Greek. After I requested it I saw that it’s only for teachers. But they sent it to me anyway. And not a galley but the book with the workbook! So I thought in order to do a good review of it, I might as well get Mounce’s Basics of Biblical Greek Grammar to do a good comparison of all three. In reading some of the Amazon reviews of the Mounce I see that it’s good for people who are self teaching. I did not know that as Johnny Carson would say. So I’m looking forward to all of this. I’ll say that the Black book is beautiful. You’ll see a review of that in the future.
After Matthew I’ll be going through John with the help of Carson’s The Gospel According to John: An Introduction and Commentary (Pillar New Testament Commentary).
I think that brings my slowly growing library to well over a hunderd (sic) books. I bet you’re jealous. My library is smaller than yours and I’m content (Phil 4:11-13).
In Revelation we read over and over again about how those in heaven fall down and worship God. When I was reading Revelation I was sarcastically thinking, “Couldn’t they do something useful? (See the recent post on doing and serving.)
Doing and serving is important. TC talks about actions in a legitimate way. Knowing TC, he’s not talking about this as the main thing without putting the utmost importance on knowing God through Bible reading and prayer.
To know that God gave us the Bible and to say that doctrine and theology aren’t important is the height of arrogance.
I have a collection of quotes on the importance of doctrine, theology, Bible reading, prayer and the benefits of spending time with God. Some of them may be repeats.
The growth of ignorance in the Church is the logical and inevitable result of the false notion that Christianity is a life and not also a doctrine; if Christianity is not a doctrine then of course teaching is not necessary to Christianity.
–Gresham Machen, Christianity and Liberalism
THIS BOOK contains the mind of God, the state of man, the way of salvation, the doom of sinners and the happiness of believers. Its doctrines are holy, its precepts are binding, its histories are true, and its decisions are immutable. Read it to be wise, believe it to be safe and practice it to be holy. It contains light to direct you, food to support you and comfort to cheer you. It is the traveller’s map, the pilgrim’s staff, the pilot’s compass, the soldier’s sword and the Christian’s charter. Here paradise is restored, heaven opened and the gates of hell disclosed. Christ is its grand object, our good is its design and the glory of God its end. It should fill the memory, rule the heart, and guide the feet. Read it slowly, frequently, and prayerfully. It is a mine of wealth, a paradise of glory, and a river of pleasure. It is given you in life, will be opened in the judgement, and will be remembered forever. It involves the highest responsibility, will reward the greatest labour, and will condemn all who trifle with its sacred contents.
–Anonymous
It was only yesterday, after laying down the Bible, that I wondered what kind of mind I would have had if I had not the Book of God, the Book containing the astounding idea of ‘from everlasting to everlasting,’ the development of all that is worth knowing … One would think, that as I have critically and, I think, devoutly read and examined every verse, every word in the Bible, some a score of times over, I should not require to open the pages of that unspeakable blessed Book. Alas, for the human memory! I read the Bible today with the same feeling I ever did, like the hungry when seeking food, the thirsty when seeking drink, the bewildered when seeking counsel and the mourner when seeking comfort. Don’t you believe all this? For alas, I read it sometimes as a formal thing, though my heart condemns me afterwards … I am yet astonished at my own ignorance of the Bible!
–Robert Moffat
HT: Challies.com
There is something about the Bible that can instill confidence in God in a way that nothing else can. God speaks to our hearts through his Spirit, and we come into closer relation to him.
–G.K. Beale, 1-2 Thessalonians
We can accomplish more by time and strength put into prayer (and bible study) than we can by putting the same amount of time and strength into anything else.
–R.A. Torrey
Make up your mind that you will put some time every day into the study of the Word of God. That is an easy resolution to make, and not a very difficult one to keep; if the one who makes it is in earnest. It is one of the most fruitful resolutions that any Christian ever made. The forming of that resolution and the holding faithfully to it, has been the turning point in many a life. Many a life that has been barren and unsatisfactory has become rich and useful through the introduction into it of regular, persevering, daily study of the Bible. This study may not be very interesting at first, the results may not be very encouraging; but, if one will keep pegging away, it will soon begin to count as nothing else has ever counted in the development of character, and in the enrichment of the whole life. Nothing short of absolute physical inability should be allowed to interfere with this daily study.
–R. A. Torrey, introduction to the New Topical Textbook.
When I really enjoy God, I feel my desires of Him the more insatiable, and my thirstings after holiness the more unquenchable. And the Lord will not allow me to feel as though I were fully supplied and satisfied, but keeps me still reaching forward.
–David Brainerd
If you approach the Scriptures with all humility and with regulated caution, you will perceive that you have been breathed upon by the Holy Will. It will bring about a transformation which is impossible to describe. You will perceive the delights of the Blessed Bridegroom; you will see the riches of Solomon. The hidden treasures of eternal wisdom will be yours. Yet I would caution you. The entrance to this abode of wisdom is narrow. The doorway is low, and there is danger in not stooping when you enter.
–Erasmus, The Handbook of the Militant Christian
Matthew Burgess at confessions of a bible junkie is giving away Bart Ehrman’s The New Testament: A Historical Introduction to the Early Christian Writings (4th ed; Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2008). If you would like to enter all you have to do is write a post on your blog like I have here.
I have to admit I wasn’t sure if I’d want anything by Bart Ehrman but I can use as much NT (or OT) reference material as I can get.
Born Again in the U.S.A.
The Enduring Power of American Evangelicalism
This article is too long for most of you to read but some may find it interesting.
‘God’s partisans in Iran and elsewhere,’ Shah concludes by stating what he sees as ‘the deepest lessons of U.S.-style entrepreneurial religion: let god be God by freeing him from both governmental regulation and government handouts; do not lash him to the mast of a particular government or political party and in so doing make him a hostage to political fortune. God will indeed keep coming back – especially in those places where he has not been turned into a fawning palace courtier or a shackled political prisoner.’
–John Micklethwait and Adrian Wooldridge, God Is Back
HT: WorldMagBlog
By definition I’m an Evangelical. But I don’t care about evangelicalism. I’m not concerned about its history or its future. I’m not interested in determining how I fit in, if I do or if I don’t.
Maybe it’s because it’s such a broad term that it’s rather meaningless. But there are blog posts (Internet Monk has many great ones if you are interested), articles (Goodbye, Evangelicalism at Christianity Today) and still books about it coming out by very important people. Should I care? Serious, not sarcastic inquiry.
Book HT: Baker Book House
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