"Hebrews Through Revelation" (Andreas J. Köstenberger)

TITLE: Handbook on Hebrews through Revelation (Handbooks on the New Testament)
AUTHOR: Andreas J. Köstenberger
PUBLISHER: Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 2020, (304 pages).

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There are many commentaries that are either too brief or too dense with information. Finding something that is just right can be hard and this handbook aims to help us with that task. Why not have a handbook that gives us a good summary without becoming bogged down with details, and yet sufficient background for us to appreciate and understand key themes in the books to be studied? This is the purpose of these series of Baker Academic handbooks that are aimed at students, pastors, lay persons, professors, and so on. This particular handbook focuses on the non-Pauline epistles, the eight general epistles, right through to Revelation. One interesting observation is how the ancient manuscript traditions placed the letters of James, Peter, John, and Jude immediately after Acts. That was probably because these disciples were much closer and more prominent to the witness of the Church chronologically and historically. Paul came relatively later. 

After the introductory statements, readers would be thrilled to see how the author gives concise summaries about the themes of each letter. Starting with Hebrews, Köstenberger makes a strong case why the anonymous nature of the letter should not trouble us in our understanding of the main messages. This is helpful for those of us who might be troubled by the lack of information on who wrote it. He answers each question he posed quickly and directly. He expands on major themes and breezes through other themes without sacrificing continuity. Like good handbooks, he includes a respectable list of commentaries and literature for advanced reading. 

"Don't Give Up" (Kyle Idleman)

TITLE: Don't Give Up: Faith That Gives You the Confidence to Keep Believing and the Courage to Keep Going
AUTHOR: Kyle Idleman
PUBLISHER: Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books, 2019, (240 pages).

How do we encourage someone? Do we use the soft gentle approach like Mr Rogers? That might tempt one toward self-pity or worse, a sense of depression. Or do we use the William Wallace approach to usher in courage? That might move us beyond our comfort zones. In this book by bestselling author and senior pastor of one of the largest mega churches in America, we are told not only to never give up but to press on with the exhortation from the Bible book of Hebrews 12:1-3. After showing us the powerful examples of faith in the long list of people in Hebrews 11, we receive a “battle cry” to press ahead to finish the race of faith. There is a time for sympathy and a time to spring into action. Idleman’s key thesis has to deal with the latter. His three-part strategy is based on the Hebrews 12:1-3 text, especially verse 1.

1. Listen to the Crowd
2. Throw off the Weight
3. Run Your Race

"Exegetical Gems from Biblical Hebrew" (H. H. Hardy II)

TITLE: Exegetical Gems from Biblical Hebrew: A Refreshing Guide to Grammar and Interpretation
AUTHOR: H. H. Hardy II
PUBLISHER: Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 2019, (224 pages).

The inspiration for studying Hebrew could be summed up in the words of the author's professor of Hebrew: "One cannot have good theology without good morphology!" Some seminaries and Bible schools to their detriment are doing away with language studies. This book reminds us once again that the original languages are biblical treasures that we could constantly discover. Faith comes by the Word of God. Fruitful spiritual growth comes from an earnest study of the Bible. As one goes further into the book, one could easily feel the conviction of the author rising out of the pages. Using a basic second-year Hebrew syntax syllabus structure, we get a chapter by chapter treatment of nouns, verbs, pronouns, adjectives, prepositions, particles, and so on. The format is similar.

1. Introduction
2. Overview
3. Interpretation
4. Further Reading

At the beginning of each chapter, there is a Hebrew verse (without transliteration) taken from the Old Testament. As the author introduces the chapter, he shows us a couple of English translations to set the pace. Phrases are underlined to help us see the different renditions in the translations. It shows us how even the English translation is an interpretation in itself. The overview sections explains some basic exegetical tools to be used in the chapter. This is then followed by Interpretation which is probably the most technical part of each chapter. As I read the resources section, it is clear that the author wants readers to go further to use the example verse as a springboard to more exegesis work on our own. We learn about the "five-step method" of word studies. We are reminded of the differences in the way adjectives are understood between English and Hebrew. We have quick primers of verb conjugations, stems, prepositions, and many other grammatical structures.

"Charts on the Book of Hebrews" (Herbert Bateman IV)

TITLE: Charts on the Book of Hebrews (Kregel Charts of the Bible and Theology)
AUTHOR: Herbet Bateman IV
PUBLISHER: Grand Rapids, MI: Kregel Academic, 2012, (272 pages).

This book brings together a host of scholarship material and sources in the form of visual charts. Easily accessible and clear, Bateman distills into a small book what many researchers, pastors, teachers, scholars, and theologians will need hours and large resources to discover. Written in four parts, Bateman brings together a wide variety of scholarship through history to bring us an easy and convenient reference rolled into one volume. Part One considers the introductory information surrounding Hebrews. There are lots of information with regards to the sources and authorship of the ancient book of Hebrews. There is a historical spread from the ancient Church fathers, theologians, scholars, and leaders through the centuries, to modern critical scholarship. In just a few pages, readers are treated to a breathtaking view of perspectives through the centuries. Just on authorship alone, the many viewpoints on who wrote the book of Hebrews provide a glimpse into the complexities and difficulties of determining with any scientific accuracy the originators of the book. Some say Paul while others say Barnabas, or another of Jesus' disciples. Some even mention Mary and Clement of Syria as possible authors! Even modern commentators are not in agreement about it. This is why many modern Bible commentaries on Hebrews will indicate "unknown" as a better way to answer the authorship question. The genre and structure of Hebrews are highlighted with ample references and explanation of the different viewpoints. Of lesser dispute is the destination of Hebrews where most of the scholarship agree that it is Rome. That said, the other possible destinations are Colossae, Antioch, or simply unknown. Generally, it is agreed that Jewish Christians are the primary audience of the book of Hebrews.

Part Two goes deeper into the content of Hebrews, providing helpful references to Old Testament allusions, Jewish cultic practices and rituals, priesthood, and many Messianic figures mentioned in Hebrews.  There are dating considerations. This section is important, espcially for non-Jewish readers because the book of Hebrews can be better appreciated if one understands the Jewish practices of old first.

Part Three highlights the differente views of the theologies in Hebrews. It focuses on the Person of Jesus, suggests how Hebrews paint the portraits of God, each with biblical references. It points out the different characteristics of Jesus and how the Triune Godhead works together to sustain creation, radiate God's glory, how God guides, and many more. There are constant parallels between Hebrews and the Old Testament to cement the tight relationship between the testaments. Jesus is wisdom. The Word of God is wisdom. God is wisdom. Of particular interest is how Hebrews refers to Jesus through many different titles, royal, priestly, and messianic.  There are also non-regal as well as divine titles.

Part Four will be of particular interest to students of exegesis and word study interest. Reading like a concordance in many ways, the various biblical texts and translations are carefully compared and contrasted.  It does to Hebrews what Burton Throckmorton has done to the synoptic gospels. While Throckmorton has compared the synoptic gospels side by side, Bateman compares the Hebrew text side by side with the Septuagint and the relevant Old and New Testament texts. However, there is a slight difference. Bateman leaves the reader to do most of the reading and interpretation. In fact, the book is basically there to highlight the nuances of the text, as well as the different perspectives through the ages. The reader needs to do the interpretation, and the application of the text. The figures of speech tables show us how important it is to understand the symbolic nature of much of the language in Hebrews. Addressing this step well is key to applying the text.

Hebrews is not an easy book to study, let alone understand the plain reading of it. There are lots of background information that the modern layperson or the casual reader will miss out. This book is an exegetical swiss knife to understand the background, the symbols, the history, the theology, and many aspects of Hebrews. It lists down ready references for students to use as a primer in Hebrew studies. It is also a quick reference for pastors and teachers to use in their powerpoint slides or preaching outlines. What I appreciate most is how Bateman has concisely put complex information into simple tables and charts for ease of reading and appreciation of the complexity when studying the book of Hebrews. With this book, no one should be afraid to study Hebrews. In fact, this book will empower any interested reader to learn more and to appreciate Hebrews even more.

If you are a pastor, professor, scholar, researcher, or Bible teacher, this book is certainly a must have as part of your biblical resource.

Rating: 5 stars of 5.

conrade

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This book is provided to me free by Kregel Academic without any obligation for a positive review. All opinions offered above are mine unless otherwise stated or implied.