The Word of God

(Updated 05/05/06)

The Canon of Scripture
F.F. Bruce
After nearly nineteen centuries the canon of Scripture still remains an issue of debate for Christians and scholars: How did these books come to be recognized as Holy Scripture? Who decided what the canon should include? By whay criteria were the suggested books judged? Why do Roman Catholic Bibles include the Apocrypha? In this significant study, F.F. Bruce brings the wisdom of a lifetime of reflection and biblical interpretation to bear in answering the questions and clearing away the confusion surrounding the Christian canon of Scripture.

The Canon of the New Testament : Its Origin, Development, and Significance
Bruce Metzger

The Inspiration and Authority of Scripture
B.B. Warfield
This volume should serve in no small degree to make more conspicuous the falsity of the belief that only the ignorant and unlearned still hold to the plenary verbal inspiration of the Bible.

Nothing But The Truth
The Inspiration, Authority and History of the Bible Explained
Brian H. Edwards
One of the many effects of the Reformation was to put the Bible into the hands of the common Christian. Today the battle rages not over availability of the Scriptures but over the inerrancy and authority of the Scriptures. Edwards wrote Nothing but the Truth in order to give the ordinary Christian an understanding of the evangelical doctrine of biblical inerrancy. He covers a wide range of vital issues including: Who are the critics of the Bible and what are they saying? What does the Bible say about itself? Where did the many translations come from? Where does archaeology reveal Bible accuracy? What about those supposed errors and contradictions?

Sola Scriptura!: The Protestant Position on the Bible
Godfrey, Robert and others. 
Sola Scriptura, the formal principle of the Reformation, is essential to genuine Christianity. Yet this doctrine is under attack like never before. Christians who want to defend their faith must have a basic understanding of this doctrine, know how to support it with Scripture proofs, and be able to discern the enemy's attacks against it. This book assembles the most helpful information on the doctrine of Sola Scriptura I've ever seen in one package. - John MacArthur.

Sufficiency of Scripture
Noel Weeks

Accuracy of Translation : The Primary Criterion in Evaluating Bible Versions With Special Reference to the New International Version
Robert P. Martin
Does it really matter which translation of the Scriptures we use in private or in church services? Dr. Martin believes that Holy Scripture is God's inspired Word and that how we translate it is of tremendous importance. He gives his reader an uncomplicated explanation of the principles of translation and then carefully analyzes the New International Version (NIV) New Testament to see whether it provides a translation which is acceptable for widespread use in the church today.

The King James Only Controversy : Can You Trust the Modern Translations?
James R. White
Answering those who claim that only the King James Version is the Word of God, The King James Only Controversy examines allegations that modern translators conspired to corrupt Scripture and lead believers away from true Christian faith.

In a readable and responsible style, author James White traces the development of Bible translations old and new and investigates the differences between new versions and the Authorized Version of 1611.

The King James Version Debate : A Plea for Realism
D. A. Carson
D. A. Carson's primary purpose in writing The King James Debate: A Plea for Realism is to refute those who advocate the superiority of the Greek textual tradition behind the King James Version of the Bible. As a consequence, his effort has produced a wonderful primer on textual criticism. The book is divided into two parts: Textual Question and Nontextual Questions. Carson makes every effort to treat the position of his opponents with respect although it is quite evident their position frustrates and even angers him.

Inclusive Language Debate: A Plea for Realism
D. A. Carson
What sparked the inclusive-language debate in contemporary Bible translation? To what degree have cultural norms influenced the discussion? Evangelical scholar Carson offers fresh insight into this continuing controversy, arguing that the core of the debate lies not with gender roles, but with the difficulty in establishing translation principles. A thought-provoking evaluation for everybody who loves the Bible.

Knowing Scripture
R.C. Sproul  
R.C. Sproul helps us dig out the meaning of Scripture for ourselves. He lays the groundwork by discussing why we should study the Bible and how our own personal study relates to interpretation. Then he presents in simple, basic terms the science of interpretation and gives practical guidelines for applying this science.

Protestant Biblical Interpretation: A textbook of Hermeneutics
Bernard Ramm

Exegetical Fallacies
D.A. Carson
This second edition of Carson's Exegetical Fallacies is updated and corrected. The author knocks holes in favorite Bible interpretation methods based on improper use of the text.

The Theology of Fulfillment
Fred Zaspel
How are the Old and New Testaments related? This booklet gives special attention to how the Bible itself characterizes this age and the present realization of the Old Testament hope. By surveying several major promise-themes, the author shows that the believer in this age enjoys unique and distinctive privileges inaugurated by Christ at His first advent. HTML format.

Principles of Biblical Interpretation
Louis Berkof

God Centered Biblical Interpretation
Vern Poythress
The study of biblical hermeneutics shows how the trinitarian character of God bears on communication, revelation, and biblical interpretation. Vern S. Polythress emphasizes both spiritual dynamics and sound linguistic principles for understanding Scripture and exposes the idols that lead interpretation astray.

An Introduction to the Old Testament
Raymond Dillard and Tremper Longman III. 
This is my favorite OT introduction.  Dillard and Longman are masters of their subject.  They guide us through the structure of each book (which I have found more insightful than most commentaries) and the genre.  Their historical and theological orientations to each book are superb.  Finally, for each book they have a section in which they explain how the book relates to the NT either by its themes or direct quotes.  Everyone should have this book! - ids.org

An Introduction to the New Testament
Don Carson, Doug Moo, and Leon Morris 
If you've ever worked through any book of the Bible in a systematic fashion, you understand the value of Biblical Introduction. Questions of authorship and date do not affect interpretation at every turn, nor do matters of text and canonicity. But a knowledge of these and the surrounding circumstances (provenance, addressees, etc.) are often invaluable. And of all the works on Introductions which I have been familiar with, this one has been by far the most enjoyable. It is thorough but wonderfully concise and extremely user friendly. Perhaps most attractive are the discussions regarding each book's contents and contributions, which are filled with very helpful and useful information. And the bibliography for each book is extremely valuable as well, although now 6 years out of date. My favorite NT Introduction. Highly recommended. - Fred Zaspel

New Testament Commentary Survey
D. A. Carson
Serious students of the Bible want to know which resources are most valuable to add to their growing libraries. With an abundance of available tools, students often turn to trusted professors for advice. This book provides such advice from D. A. Carson, one of the most highly respected evangelical New Testament scholars. Reviews of previous editions: "Carson's work is most valuable and his perceptive remarks will serve pastors and students well."-David S. Dockery, Review and Expositor

The Gospel According to John
D. A. Carson
Carson, who serves as professor of New Testament at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School (Deerfield, IL) and considered by many to be one of the finest conservative scholars in evangelicalism today, has written a solid, verse-by-verse commentary on John's Gospel (Pillar series). Above all, the author seeks to explain the meaning of the text as well as provide a resource for those who minister the Word of God on a regular basis. Carson believes that the internal evidence supports John the apostle, the son of Zebedee, as its author (pp.68-81), that it was written around A.D. 80-85 (pp.82-85), and understands its purpose to be evangelistic, aimed primarily at evangelizing Jews and Jewish proselytes (p.91). Carson also explains difficult texts well (e.g., Jesus’ enigmatic response to Mary in 2:4, pp.170-173), although his explanation that there were two separate temple cleansings in the ministry of Jesus will probably not convince everyone (pp.177-178). This commentary, overall, is a superb example of how Bible commentaries should be written because of its readability and clear style, reliable exposition, and vigorous defense of Johannine authorship and veracity. The serious student who really wants to understand John's meaning should, by all means, obtain this outstanding commentary. I would rate it on par with Leon Morris’ commentary on John which was written decades earlier.

The Epistle to the Romans
The New International Commentary on the New Testament
Douglas Moo
Writing from essentially a Reformed persuasion, Moo has given us one of the finest exegetical commentaries on Romans in decades, properly ranked with Cranfield, Dunn, Barrett, Morris, Haldane, and others (in some instances, even surpassing them!). Twelve years in the making, Moo's Epistle to the Romans will serve the exegetical scholar and pastor wonderfully. This fine scholar, who currently serves as professor of New Testament and director of the Ph.D. in the Theological Studies Program at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School (Deerfield, IL), possesses a clear writing style, has read widely, and is fair to those with whom he disagrees. Moo is Premillennial in his eschatology (doctrine of last things), distinguishes between Israel and the Church (pp.547-744), and understands Romans 7:13-25 to be describing the unregenerate Jew under the Mosaic Law – a view which is quite convincing to my mind (pp.441-467). Even when one finds himself disagreeing with Moo, it is not because Moo has failed to write clearly or present his conclusions cogently. In my humble opinion, every serious student of the New Testament ought to secure a copy for his personal library and consult it often. Moo should be congratulated for doing his exegetical homework and for giving the Church such a fine resource. Highly recommended.

Paul's Letter to the Philippians
New International Commentary on the New Testament
Gordon Fee
This is the best commentary on Philippians available.  I first read Moises Silva's commentary on Philippians in the Wycliff Exegetical series, but Fee's work is far superior.  He did extensive on the genre of Philippians that is interesting but more than I ever wanted to know about “friendship letters in the Greco- Roman world.”  Fee interacts with a mountain of secondary material in the footnotes.  His work is scholarly but does not miss the practical application and heart of Paul’s letter.  This is book is a gem. - ids.org

Galatians
Word Biblical Commentary Vol. 41
Richard N. Longenecker
An outstanding commentary on Galatians that provides good insight into the theme of promise/fulfillment and the law.

Word Biblical Commentary Volume 50:  Jude, 2 Peter
Richard Bauckham
I really dislike the format of this commentary series.  Nevertheless, Bauckham has produced an extremely useful work on these often neglected books of the New Testament.  As usual Bauckham has done superb work in showing the relationship of these New Testament Scriptures to the Old Testament as well as Jewish Apocolyptic literature.  The down side of this commentary is that it is a tough read if you don’t know Greek.  Even if you do know Greek, you have to really be willing to work through this book. - ids.org