Lift up your heads, O gates,
And be lifted up, O ancient doors,
That the King of Glory may come in !
Lift up your heads, O gates,
And be lifted up, O ancient doors,
That the King of Glory may come in !
Highly Recommended Books
The books reviewed to date are listed. To read one of them, click the bulleted title to insert the review into this page.
The Holy Spirit is mentioned frequently in the New Testament, and every Christian today has a basic understanding of his work. It is the Holy Spirit who convicts us of sin, regenerates us, and seals us in order that we may partake of everlasting life. The Apostle Paul exhorts us to be "filled with the Spirit" that we might conduct ourselves in a way pleasing to God. The sanctifying work of the Spirit of God prepares us for glory, and it is a great comfort to know that he abides in us and will never forsake us.
What about the work of the Holy Spirit in the Old Testament? Did it differ from that which we read of in the New? Leon Wood gives great insight into this question in his book The Holy Spirit in the Old Testament. He looks at all the significant references where the Spirit of God is mentioned. Many texts are similar and grouped together, so the book is not at all lengthy. In fact, it is only 150 pages. Those passages that create the most controversy receive the most attention, such as those dealing with the Spirit coming upon Saul and leaving him. Dr. Wood closes his book with a chapter called "Summary Statements," which was most helpful.
What was the Holy Spirit's role in creation? Were the patriarchs permanently indwelt by the Holy Spirit? When the Spirit departed from Saul, did this mean he had been saved and was now lost? What does the term "ecstatic" mean? Who was empowered by the Spirit and for what reason? Dr. Wood gives insightful answers to all these questions and concludes that Old Testament believers did experience regeneration, indwelling, sealing, and filling by the Holy Spirit.
This book is fast reading, mainly because Dr. Wood is such a great writer. Sentences rarely, if at all, require a second reading, even though there is much depth to the content. One is never confused by convoluted sentence structure and an array of modifying phrases; everything is clear and concise.
I highly recommend this book to anyone who wants to learn more about the third person of the Trinity, the Holy Spirit.
Carol Morgan
Each of us enjoys reading the New Testament, especially the Gospels. Perhaps one of the reasons is that the love of God revealed to us in the Lord Jesus Christ is always so relevant for everyday life. But is not God's justice also relevant for us today?
Our age is one of immorality, widespread corruption, and oppression. Anything even approaching holiness is ridiculed and scorned by unbelievers. For the majority of Christians, a serious study of the inerrant Word of God is all too often replaced with a shallow smorgasbord of Christian "fluff." It is a day ripe for God's judgment.
The world we live in is not unlike that in which Isaiah, Micah, Joel and other Old Testament prophets lived. When Israel of old strayed from the Lord and engaged in heinous national sin, God sent his prophets to warn them of coming judgment, calling on them to "return to the Lord your God!"
Therefore, a study of the Old Testament prophets is one of the most practical and helpful studies for Christians today. These books also cover a most fascinating and exciting period in the history of Israel.
Hobart Freeman's Introduction to the Old Testament Prophets is an excellent place to start. It is divided into two parts: an introduction to the nature of Old Testament prophecy and an introduction to each of the prophetical books.
Part I addresses a number of important questions. Who was the first prophet? How did prophets of God receive their messages? Were the very words of the prophets inspired? In what way was King Saul a prophet? How did an Israelite determine whether or not a man was a true prophet of God?
Part II gives the historical background of the time when each prophet wrote, the date of his ministry, and a summary of his message. There is a chapter on each of the sixteen prophets. Also included is a summary of the major problems that secular critics have proposed and an answer to them.
Dr. Freeman's book is not only well organized and easy to read, but it is interesting and enlightening. For myself, I found it worked best to read through Part II one chapter at a time with my Bible open to that prophet. I had my pen handy for making notes, and I made a lot of them! Then I read the prophetic book itself. With Dr. Freeman's words fresh in my mind, I was pleasantly surprised how much I learned. But most of all, I was astounded how very much our world today is like that of the 8th and 7th centuries B.C. We are living in evil times not unlike the days of Judah, Israel, Assyria, and Edom. Unless we turn to God in repentance, judgment will as surely fall on us as it did on them.
Carol Morgan
How many of us have resolved, more than once, to read straight through the Bible in one year? We race through Genesis and Exodus with enthusiasm, but as we get into Leviticus our pace soon falters. The exciting history of the patriarchs has now been replaced by what seems to be no more than a great hodgepodge of onerous rules and regulations for a generation long past. The abundance of details encompassed in the many sacrifices and laws seem, at least in my mind, to verge on the ridiculous. How could any Israelite, and the priests in particular, have possibly remembered them all, much less followed them? The thought has often crossed my mind, "They must have spent their whole life doing nothing but offering sacrifices!"
Dr. Wenham's commentary has given me new insight into the sacrificial worship and accompanying laws that were the center of Israelite life. He states, "The enduring presence of God is one of the theological presuppositions running through the whole book...God is present not only in worship, but at all times, even in the mundane duties of life." In our day and age, we seem to have forgotten that acceptable worship is costly; those living in patriarchal days had daily reminders that it was so. "In the overfed West we can easily fail to realize what was involved in offering an unblemished animal in sacrifice. Meat was a rare luxury in OT times for all but the very rich. Yet even we might blanch if we saw a whole lamb or bull go up in smoke as a burnt offering. How much greater pangs must a poor Israelite have felt?"
In his introduction, Dr. Wenham gives some "ground rules" for understanding Leviticus. As soon as I read them, I knew this was the book for me. "Everything that is not holy is common. Common things divide into two groups, the clean and the unclean. Clean things become holy when they are sanctified. But unclean objects cannot be sanctified. Clean things can be made unclean if they are polluted. Finally, holy items may be defiled and become common, even polluted, and therefore unclean...The unclean and the holy are two states which must never come in contact with each other."
That was just an example. What keeps you reading through this commentary is that Dr. Wenham makes everything in Leviticus so clear and interesting. Leviticus comes alive for you. You understand it, learn its applications for today, and come to see the historical importance of the Old Testament sacrifices in the redemptive plan of God.
A set routine is followed for each chapter in the book. Dr. Wenham first gives his own translation of the Hebrew text to be discussed, in most cases an entire chapter. This is followed by a summary structured as follows:
The Structure of Leviticus 1
1-2 Introduction
3-9 Burnt offering of cattle
10-13 Burnt offerings of sheep and goats
14-17 Burnt offerings of birds
A thorough explanation follows, concluding with New Testament applications. All is scholarly, but easily understandable for anyone serious about Bible study.
After finishing this commentary, I could not help thinking how foolish and even arrogant it is when some Christians make the statement that they don't need commentaries or the "words of men"; they need only the "words of God." How utterly ridiculous! Throughout the centuries, God has raised up pastors, scholars, and teachers in the church, men to whom he has given special gifts in linguistics, history, and theology to study the Scriptures and write the results of those studies for the growth and edification of the Church. God gave them the gifts, and the Holy Spirit led them in their work. This process has been going on now for over two thousand years, each new generation building on the work that has gone before. Is it not arrogance to assume that you don't need to study this material? Is it not arrogance to assume that just by reading the Bible on your own, God will give you all the insight that he was been pleased to give to the church over a period of two thousand years through the diligent work of those pastors, scholars, and teachers whom he has called and who have devoted their lives to using the gifts that God has given them?
This commentary by Dr. Wenham will show you the depths of the riches God has for you in his Word--yes, even in the book of Leviticus.
Carol Morgan
When is the last time you picked up a book that you literally couldn't put down? Well, here is one--Dabney's biography of Stonewall Jackson.
Robert Dabney, one of America's most outstanding theologians, has given us an "up close and personal" look into the life and military campaigns of this great Southern General. It should be noted that this biography was not written by a man who lived decades after the War between the States, but by one who lived through it. Not only did Dabney personally know Jackson, but he had possession of the fullest collection of materials relating to his life during that period, including copies of all the important official papers on file at that time in the War Department of the late Confederate Government.
It might be thought, especially by women, that reading the intricacies of a military campaign would be especially dull. But not so! I found them quite exciting, even if I couldn't follow every single detail. The battles in which Stonewall Jackson led his men came alive in a way I did not expect.
Dabney's main purpose, however, in writing this biography was not to give merely an exciting recount of battles. It was "to portray and vindicate" Stonewall Jackson's Christian character, "that his countrymen may possess it as a precious example, and may honor that God in it whom he so delighted to honor." This he has done. It was impossible to leave the book without seeing General Jackson as a man totally dedicated to serving God, and also not to be ashamed at my own lack of true devotion.
Do not expect to speed-read through this book. Dabney wrote during the time of the War, and prose in the nineteenth century was more formal than it is now. Sentences were long, and if you do not school yourself to read slowly, many will require a second reading. But all the effort will be more than compensated, I assure you.
When speaking of the War between the States, Stonewall Jackson's name will be forever remembered as a hero of the Confederacy. To understand his passion and resolve for the cause of the South, one must know the facts behind it, and Dabney therefore devotes one chapter to the political situation that led to secession.
Clearly Dabney is giving the biography of a man he greatly admires. From beginning to end, his love and respect for Stonewall Jackson cannot be hidden. But we should not impute a prejudice to his account for this reason. Stonewall Jackson was a servant of God who not only spoke openly of his love for the Savior, but lived a life that demonstrated it in every respect.
Carol Morgan
The late Dr. Leon Wood was professor of Old Testament Studies and dean of the faculty at the Grand Rapids Baptist Bible Seminary.
Dr. Wood's book Distressing Days of the Judges can truly be described as "fascinating reading." It is, as are all his works, well-written and scholarly. Yet at the same time it never fails to hold one's undivided attention. I hope this short review will prompt you to buy this book for yourself. I read it in less than a week and never for a single moment found it dull or boring.
Dr. Wood carefully outlines the background and preparation for the time when Israel would be settled in the promised land. Included in the preparation was the giving of the law on Mt. Sinai. This law was to be the basis for the theocratic government under which the Israelites would live, a theocratic government under the leadership of the Levites with Yahweh as Israel's God. Yahweh also blessed Israel with great military victories as they pursued their conquest of the promised land and drove out the Canaanites. These mighty victories exalted Yahweh's name among the heathen and should have given Israel great courage and confidence to finish the task of possessing the land God had given them. But Israel failed, and the heathen Canaanites remained in the land to harass and oppress Israel.
When the oppression of foreigners became too much, the Israelites called upon Yahweh to deliver them. A judge was raised up, not only for the purpose of delivering the people from their enemy, but in order to give the theocratic government another chance to work. Dr. Wood thoroughly describes each of the oppressing nations, gives a chronology of the time when they were active, and describes with much detail the men whom Yahweh raised up.
Why did some of these judges lead an army while others did not? Why are there only verses to describe some while there are chapters to describe others? Did any of these men judge at the same time? Were they all godly men, chosen because of their faith in Yahweh? Where do chapters 17-21 fall in the chronology? Leon Wood gives answers to all these questions, and much more.
Carol Morgan
Dr. Fruchtenbaum is a Messianic believer and founder of Ariel Ministries, a California-based organization dedicated to the evangelism and discipleship of Jewish people.
This book review is not written by a "Bible scholar" (as much as I would like to be one!), but by one who has a desire to know all that God has revealed in his word. Does the Bible have anything definite to say about the millennium? Then I want to know what that is. The flip attitude of the "pan-millennialist" ("I don't care, it will all pan out in the end") should shame any Christian who sports it. Let each of us have more reverence for the Scriptures than that.
Consider the following words of Samuel P. Tregelles from his book, The Hope of Christ's Second Coming:
"It has been painful to hear of earnest and real desire to study the Word of God regarded as being 'occupied with the letter of Scripture.'...Of course, with this feeling all critical study of Scripture is denounced. It is deemed a waste of time. Even the study of the Word of God in the original Hebrew and Greek is spoken of as if it were a secular occupation. The English Bible is thought to be enough for teachers. Exact scholarship is deemed superfluous if the original languages are looked at. How different is this from the real study of God's Word; from using and valuing each portion, however minute, as being from Him; as being that of which He can unfold to us the meaning by the teaching of His Spirit. How different is this from the practical application of the most definite rules of grammar which lead to absolute persuasion that apostles and evangelists wrote nothing at random, but that even as to the most delicate shades of thought they used the right cases, moods, and tenses. All diligent and careful inquiry, all laborious examination of authorities so as to know what were the very words in which the inspired writers gave forth the Scripture is regarded as merely intellectual and secular.
"This is not healthy. Should not those who believe in the Divine authority of Holy Scripture know better than to neglect its critical study? And if it be truly inspired, ought they not to feel it is of some importance to inquire what is its true text, and, as far as existing evidence can show, what were the very words in which the Holy Ghost gave it forth? It is most difficult to arouse Christians in general to a sense of the full importance of critical study of Scripture, especially when dreamy apprehensions are cherished and vague idealism has taken the place of truth, and sentimental asceticism is the substitute of Christian holiness." (This book is on this Web site: see Classic Works).
Arnold Fruchtenbaum's book, Israelology: The Missing Link in Systematic Theology, is a thorough and scholarly work dealing with the millennium and the nation of Israel. The viewpoint of the Covenant Postmillennialist, the Covenant Amillennialist, the Covenant Premillennialist, and the Dispensationalist are given in all their details. For one who has a bare-bones understanding of these four positions, like myself, this book is a dream come true. The author gives precise definitions, he quotes the major scholars for each position, he states all the evidence for their positions, and has his own summaries throughout. I found the summarizing most helpful. The thoroughness of this work means that one reading will not be sufficient to make someone like myself ready to defend one viewpoint over another with any degree of success. For the more advanced Bible student, it may very well do just that.
The book is long, but the type is large enough to make for easy reading. There are numerous quotations, and although those in paragraph form have been indented, they can still be overlooked and read as though the words of the author if one is not careful.
Reading this book has given me a more solid foundation as regards the issue of millennialism. It has also given me a deeper reverence for the Word of God and a greater respect for the men who have devoted their lives to its study. The study of eschatology--millennialism in particular--is not something to be ignored, especially in our day when the nation of Israel is of world-wide interest and focus. It behooves us to know what God has said and to be ready for that day when he shall say, "Well done, good and faithful servant!"
Carol Morgan
I loved this book. In fact, I typed it in its entirety, and it can now be found on this web site at the following link.
What was Sir Anderson's purpose in writing it? Let me quote from the author himself:
"And to not a few this volume may be welcome as affording a clue to pressing difficulties which perplex and distress the thoughtful. Infidelity trades upon the silence of Heaven, the inaction of the Supreme. If there be a God, almighty and all-good, why does He not use His power and give proof of His goodness in the way men choose to expect of Him? The answer usually offered by the Christian apologist fails either to silence the opponent or to satisfy the believer. And rightly so, for it is lacking not only in cogency but in sympathy. The God of the Bible is infinite both in power and in compassion; and in other ages His people had public proof of this. Why, then, is He so silent?"
This book is fast reading, and not because the English is smooth and well-written (which it is), but because the subject itself is so fascinating. I found I couldn't read fast enough! My enthusiasm never wavered throughout, and I can honestly say I learned much.
Sir Robert Anderson gives insightful answers to many questions, such as: What purpose did Christ's miracles serve? What is reconciliation? What is the difference between Christendom and Christianity? Why did Satan tempt Jesus? How does Satan tempt us? What does Paul mean by "my gospel"? Why, when we pray with faith, are our prayers not answered in the way we expect?
This book is well worth your time.
Carol Morgan
© Copyright 2010 Rediscovering the Bible. All Rights Reserved. | Contact Us | Email Webmaster
