"Evangelical Pharisees" (Michael Reeves)

TITLE: Evangelical Pharisees: The Gospel as Cure for the Church's Hypocrisy
AUTHOR: Michael Reeves
PUBLISHER: Wheaton, IL: Crossway Publishers, 2023, (128 pages).

During Jesus' time, some of Jesus' harshest criticisms were leveled at the Pharisees and religious leaders. The key reason: Hypocrisy. Jesus uses words like "blind guides," "fools," "leaven," "vipers," "whitewashed tombs," and "hypocrites." If there is any one word that would sum up how Jesus saw the religious establishment then, it would be the latter: Hypocrites. Author Michael Reeves adds to this pot of nouns with "hidden cancer," and points out the three major theological problems with the Pharisees; namely, their approach to Scripture; their understanding of salvation; and their disregard for regeneration. Reeves then introduces the three Rs to correct these three problems: Revelation, Redemption, and Regeneration. Each chapter is then devoted to unpacking each of these Rs. Embedded within these chapters are frequent comparisons of modern evangelicals with the Pharisees of old as well as warnings not to make the study and interpretation of Scripture become an end in itself. We need to gospel to correct our lens of interpretation. We need to get the salvation message clear that we are saved not by works but by grace alone. Each of these Rs parallels the members of the Triune Godhead. The Revelation of the Bible is to be seen in the light of God the Father who graciously reveals Himself to the world through the Word of God. The Redemption according to the Bible is about Christ coming down to earth to rescue us from our sins. The Regeneration aspect refers to the work of the Holy Spirit to enable us to do the will of God. 

"Revelation Through Old Testament Eyes" (Tremper Longman III)

TITLE: Revelation Through Old Testament Eyes
AUTHOR: Tremper Longman III
PUBLISHER: Grand Rapids, MI: Kregel Academic, 2022, (368 pages).
 

What comes to mind when we think about the book of Revelation? I wouldn't be surprised if the first thing that comes to mind is the letters to the seven churches, the various theological positions about the tribulation, or the frightening events of the Armageddon. That is one reason why many preachers continue to preach on these familiar chapters. Modern readers tend to dwell within these comfort zones. What if we could let the Bible interpret and read Revelation? What if we could see Revelation through the lens of the Old Testament? This is the key reason for this series on "Background and Application Commentary." The four key features include:

• Running commentary
• Interpretation via OT eyes
• Understanding the structure
• Deeper into application and implications for modern living

Longman starts his commentary with further observations about the general level of hesitancy in studying Revelation. He makes a case that if readers could be equipped with basic knowledge of the book's background and symbolism, they will be able to study the book more confidently. Interpretation requires authorial background, date approximation; genre awareness; and cross-references from other parts of the Bible. This book aims to supply us with more of the latter, especially from the Old Testament.

"Blessed" (Nancy Guthrie)

TITLE: Blessed
AUTHOR: Nancy Guthrie
PUBLISHER: Wheaton, IL: Crossway Publishers, 2022, (272 pages).
 

The book of Revelation is one of the most mysterious and some say difficult books to understand. With the many numeric signs, images, symbols, visions of wars, and destruction, people tend to be intimidated into avoiding the study of the book altogether. Author and popular Bible teacher Nancy Guthrie know it personally. This is especially when she was called to teach a class on Revelation at her church. After pushing aside initial reservations, she was struck by the way the apocalyptic text begins: "Blessed." That sparked her interest and laid the foundation for this Bible Study guide on Revelation. From this inspiration, she aims to help others in overcoming their fears about this letter. She deals with fears of not understanding it enough; concern about controversial interpretations; misguided views about the letter merely about the future without existential relevance; and other uncomfortable reasons for not studying the text at all. She then goes on to describe the reasons why we should be studying Revelation. Using one of the most popular words to hook our interest, she chooses the lens of Blessing to uncover 12 promises in Revelation. 

"This Hallelujah Banquet" (Eugene H. Peterson)

TITLE: This Hallelujah Banquet: How the End of What We Were Reveals Who We Can Be
AUTHOR: Eugene H. Peterson
PUBLISHER: New York, NY: Waterbrook Press, 2021, (208 pages).
 

Eugene Peterson passed away on October 22nd, 2018. It seemed all so surreal that one of the most creative and eloquent evangelical voices had left us. Most famous for his work on giving us the paraphrase of the Bible, the MESSAGE, he has also written a number of bestsellers for Christians in general. His writings continue to be a powerful but gentle influence, giving us a fresh perspective on understanding the Bible. Taken from his series of sermons preached during Lent 1984 at Christ Our King Presbyterian Church in Bel Air Maryland, this book is based on the letters to the seven churches in Revelation. Each chapter follows a similar outline: 1) Part of Christ's character; 2) Strengths and weaknesses of the Church; 3) A promise to remember. The title of the book tells us that in spite of the warning messages that spell out judgment and doom, there are reasons for hope leading to the great hallelujah chorus in heaven. A keynote is that while Revelation often excites us about future happenings, we need to take a step back to reflect on the essence of Jesus' words to us. For all the cares and concerns we have about the future, very often the questions we ask are not the ones that truly matter.

"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. 

"Interpreting Apocalyptic Literature" (Richard A. Taylor)

TITLE: Interpreting Apocalyptic Literature: An Exegetical Handbook (Handbooks for Old Testament Exegesis)
AUTHOR: Richard A. Taylor
PUBLISHER: Grand Rapids, MI: Kregel Academic, 2016, (208 pages).

Compared to the Old Testament, more people find it easier to interpret the New Testament. The same is true for apocalyptic literature. Seeing this need for training and equipping, Kregel publishers have prepared a series of handbooks to assist readers on understanding, exegesis, and interpretation of difficult Old Testament topics. There are a total of six volumes covering the six genres of narrative, law, poetry, wisdom, prophecy, and apocalyptic literature. They aim to help us understand the principles of understanding and the methods for communicating and teaching. All the handbooks follow the six chapter structure:

1. The Nature of the Genres
2. Major Themes
3. Preparing for Interpretation
4. Interpretation
5. Proclamation
6. Summarizing the Process from Text to Sermon

"The Heart of Revelation" (J. Scott Duvall)

TITLE: The Heart of Revelation: Understanding the 10 Essential Themes of the Bible's Final Book
AUTHOR: J. Scott Duvall
PUBLISHER: Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books, 2016, (224 pages).

The book of Revelation is the last book of the New Testament. Filled with metaphors, images, and symbols, it is also one of the most challenging books of the Bible to interpret. What is Revelation all about? Why is it in the Bible? Who are the original audiences? What are the circumstances surrounding its writing? These questions continue to be asked through the centuries, even today. In fact, interest in this last book of the Bible remains very high. Many scholars and theologians have written on it. Many pastors and preachers have preached it over the pulpit. Many teachers have debated and shared the various perspectives for eager students. Still, the fascination remains.

• What are the seals of the scrolls?
• How do we understand the 144000 saved?
• The horses, the wars, and the dragons, what do they all mean?

Author and professor, J. Scott Duvall is Professor of New Testament at Ouachita Baptist University. He shows us that there are three ways to reading Revelation. The first way is to read it once and then leave Revelation alone. The second way is to be obsessed by it to the point that one becomes paranoid about all things last days. He recommends the third way, which is to read in context, the understand the themes, and to practice the present with care to avoid the extremes of the two earlier ways. He points out ten themes to understand Revelation.

"Revelation" Teach The Text Commentary (J. Scott Duvall)

TITLE: Revelation (Teach the Text Commentary Series)
AUTHOR: J. Scott Duvall
PUBLISHER: Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books, 2014, (352 pages).

Continuing a very promising series of commentaries aimed at helping preachers of the Word study, expound, and share the biblical texts more vibrantly, Baker Books have engaged some top scholars and theologians in this amazing last book of the Bible: Revelation. The "Teach the Text Commentary Series" are meant to enable teachers to have the best of both worlds: Comprehending ancient contexts/texts and communicating to modern audiences. The table of contents clearly lay out the format of the entire book, with chapters and verses carefully distinguished and a brief title to help prepare the reader to anticipate what is to come. Like a typical commentary, there are no chapter numbers, only a chapter and verses to distinguish one "chapter" from the next. Each chapter maintains a strict format.

• A "Big Idea" to drive home the main purpose
• "Key Themes" to show the main ideas in the passage concerned
• A very readable "Understanding the Text" that makes the mainstay of the commentary, which comprises contextual description, an outline for teaching, historical and cultural uniquenesses, interpretive and theological insights, plus useful tips for preaching
• "Teaching the Text" is a gem for teachers as they find the material ready for emphasis and creative communicating
• "Illustrating the Text" gives preachers and teachers some material to further communicate the biblical principles using stories and illustrations.