<< 1 >>
Rating: 
Summary: The BEST Bible commentary available.
Review: I can't believe that no one has written an online review of this book yet! The NIB is the best Bible commentary written. If you are serious about scholarly study of the Bible, you need to buy the entire series. It is expensive to buy 12 volumes at $60-70 each, even if you save 30% through amazon.com like I did ;). In that case, check with your church or library. As a fall-back try Harper's or Jerome's for single volume commentaries. If at all possible, buy the NIB. Forget the earlier version of the IB.The NIB is the definitive standard for serious Bible scholarship.
Rating:
Summary: The best of the best
Review: Most people understand that the study of Scripture is an enormous task; and that there is a considerable theological heritage to even the most benign of passages. Unfortunately, it is sometimes difficult to translate that understanding into a willingness to genuinely delve into the vast pool of material out there. In addition, it's hard to know whom to trust.
You can trust the New Interpreter's Bible series. All of the scholars who contributed are the best in their field. In addition, the layout (which includes two complete translations - the NIV and the NRSV) is conducive to both scholarly and spiritual study of the texts.
Each text is broken down into discrete units followed by general commentary on the passage, verse by vers analysis of key issues, and then an overview of study questions. The commentators address issues of authorship, historical setting, translation, theological history, and personal application. In addition, they graciously point to excellent sources for further reading.
Speaking as a pastor, it is my strong opinion that every English-speaking Christian who is serious about Bible study should own the complete set.
Rating:
Summary: The best of the best
Review: Most people understand that the study of Scripture is an enormous task; and that there is a considerable theological heritage to even the most benign of passages. Unfortunately, it is sometimes difficult to translate that understanding into a willingness to genuinely delve into the vast pool of material out there. In addition, it's hard to know who to trust. You can trust the New Interpreter's Bible series. All of the scholars who contributed are the best in their field. In addition, the layout (which includes two complete translations - the NIV and the NRSV) is conducive to both scholarly and spiritual study of the texts. Each text is broken down into discret units (i.e. the Tower of Babel) followed by general commentary on the passage, verse by vers analysis of key issues, and then an overview of study questions. The commentators address issues of authorship, historical setting, translation, theological history, and personal application. In addition, they graciously point to excellent sources for further reading. Speaking as a pastor, it is my strong opinion that every English-speaking Christian who is serious about Bible study should own the complete set.
Rating:
Summary: This is an excellent resource.
Review: My Bible study group is studying The Psalms this year. This book is wonderful. It gives two interpretations of each Psalm, NIV and NRSV. This makes it much more interesting, since you are given two versions of the poetry. The line-by-line commentaries are suitable for in-depth analysis, and the reflections are truly inspiring. I've been very impressed by this book, and I plan to read the other volumes as well.
Rating:
Summary: History and Poetry
Review: The New Interpreter's Bible is a twelve-volume series, updating the popular Interpreter's Bible from a few decades ago. There are several key features common to all of the volumes of this series. First, each includes a two-column, double translation of the Biblical text (NIV - New International Version, and NRSV - New Revised Standard Version) arranged by topical unit or story. Then, they provide commentaries that look at the passages as a whole, as well as verse-by-verse. Third, interesting Reflection pieces that relate the passages to each other, to history, and to current concerns occur at the conclusion of each passage. Fourth, introductory articles for each book are provided that discuss transmission, historical background, cultural setting, literary concerns, and current scholarship. Finally, there are general articles about the Bible, each Testament, and various types of literature (Narrative, Gospel, Wisdom Literature, etc.) are provided to give general placement and knowledge about the text overall. The list of contributors, editors, and consultants on the project is a veritable Who's Who of biblical and theological scholarship, representing all major traditions and schools of thought liberal and conservative. Leander Keck, of the Yale Divinity School, is the primary editor of the series. The volumes were published individually, and can be purchased individually, which is a good thing, given that they are a bit expensive. But for any serious biblical scholar, preacher, student, or enthusiast, they are invaluable. --Volume IV-- The fourth volume of the New Interpreter's Bible finishes a look at the `histories', more precisely termed in the NIB as Narrative Literature, with the apocryphal books I and II Maccabees. Then it turns to looking at the books that form the heart of ancient Hebrew poetry, the books of Job and the Psalms. Adele Berlin of the University of Maryland provides a general article on an Introduction to Hebrew Poetry. One of the first difficulties addressed is the difficulty of determining just what is poetry in the Hebrew Scriptures. Looking at familiar concepts such as meter and rhythm, rhyme and patterns, Berlin also addresses ideas unique or at least more characteristic of Hebrew poetry, such as terseness, certain kinds of parallelism, and context and themes. Finally, Berlin discusses the reason for poetry - to be read and spoken. `Most scholarly analysis of biblical poetry has concentrated on its measurable features, such as formal structuring devices, repetition, parallelism, meter, and the like. Commentaries generally offer line-by-line interpretations focusing on difficult words and constructions or unusual references. Occasionally provided by the exegete, but often left to the reader, has been the actual reading of the poem - the making of sense and beauty from its sounds, words, and structures, the perception that it is a unified entity with a distinctive message.' The apocryphal books of the Maccabees are addressed by Robert Doran of Amherst College. Carol Newsom of Candler School of Theology at Emory provides commentary on the book of Job. J. Clinton McCann Jr. of Eden Theological Seminary looks at the book of Psalms. In looking at the Psalms, McCann states: `The book of Psalms presents nothing short of God's claim upon the whole world and it articulates God's will for justice, righteousness and peace among all peoples and all nations. It is the purpose of this commentary to elucidate that claim and to enable the reader to hear the Word of God as it comes to us in the psalms.' High praise goes to the general editorial staff for working with such strong authors/scholars, that their work fits together well as part of this set while retaining their individual characteristics (much like the writers of the Bible itself!). --Other volumes available-- The following is a list of each volume in this twelve-volume set, and the contents of each. Volume I: General Articles on the Bible; General Articles on the Old Testament; Genesis; Exodus; Leviticus Volume II: Numbers; Deuteronomy; Introduction to Narrative Literature; Joshua; Judges; Ruth; I & II Samuel Volume III: I & II Kings; I & II Chronicles; Ezra, Nehemiah; Esther; Additions to Esther; Tobit; Judith Volume IV: I & II Maccabees; Introduction to Hebrew Poetry; Job; Psalms Volume V: Introduction to Wisdom Literature; Proverbs; Ecclesiastes; Song of Songs; Book of Wisdom; Sirach Volume VI: Introduction to Prophetic Literature; Isaiah; Jeremiah; Baruch; Letter of Jeremiah; Lamentations; Ezekiel Volume VII: Introduction to Apocalyptic Literature; Daniel; Additions to Daniel; Hosea; Joel; Amos; Obadiah; Johan; Micah; Nahum; Habakkuk; Zephaniah; Haggai; Zechariah; Malachi Volume VIII: General Articles on the New Testament; Matthew; Mark Volume IX: Luke; John Volume X: Acts; Introduction to Epistolary Literature; Romans, I Corinthians Volume XI: II Corinthians; Galatians; Ephesians; Philippians; Colossians; I & II Thessalonians; I & II Timothy; Titus; Philemon Volume XII: Hebrews; James; I & II Peter; I, II & III John; Jude; Revelation
Rating:
Summary: History and Poetry
Review: The New Interpreter's Bible is a twelve-volume series, updating the popular Interpreter's Bible from a few decades ago. There are several key features common to all of the volumes of this series. First, each includes a two-column, double translation of the Biblical text (NIV - New International Version, and NRSV - New Revised Standard Version) arranged by topical unit or story. Then, they provide commentaries that look at the passages as a whole, as well as verse-by-verse. Third, interesting Reflection pieces that relate the passages to each other, to history, and to current concerns occur at the conclusion of each passage. Fourth, introductory articles for each book are provided that discuss transmission, historical background, cultural setting, literary concerns, and current scholarship. Finally, there are general articles about the Bible, each Testament, and various types of literature (Narrative, Gospel, Wisdom Literature, etc.) are provided to give general placement and knowledge about the text overall. The list of contributors, editors, and consultants on the project is a veritable Who's Who of biblical and theological scholarship, representing all major traditions and schools of thought liberal and conservative. Leander Keck, of the Yale Divinity School, is the primary editor of the series. The volumes were published individually, and can be purchased individually, which is a good thing, given that they are a bit expensive. But for any serious biblical scholar, preacher, student, or enthusiast, they are invaluable. --Volume IV-- The fourth volume of the New Interpreter's Bible finishes a look at the 'histories', more precisely termed in the NIB as Narrative Literature, with the apocryphal books I and II Maccabees. Then it turns to looking at the books that form the heart of ancient Hebrew poetry, the books of Job and the Psalms. Adele Berlin of the University of Maryland provides a general article on an Introduction to Hebrew Poetry. One of the first difficulties addressed is the difficulty of determining just what is poetry in the Hebrew Scriptures. Looking at familiar concepts such as meter and rhythm, rhyme and patterns, Berlin also addresses ideas unique or at least more characteristic of Hebrew poetry, such as terseness, certain kinds of parallelism, and context and themes. Finally, Berlin discusses the reason for poetry - to be read and spoken. 'Most scholarly analysis of biblical poetry has concentrated on its measurable features, such as formal structuring devices, repetition, parallelism, meter, and the like. Commentaries generally offer line-by-line interpretations focusing on difficult words and constructions or unusual references. Occasionally provided by the exegete, but often left to the reader, has been the actual reading of the poem - the making of sense and beauty from its sounds, words, and structures, the perception that it is a unified entity with a distinctive message.' The apocryphal books of the Maccabees are addressed by Robert Doran of Amherst College. Carol Newsom of Candler School of Theology at Emory provides commentary on the book of Job. J. Clinton McCann Jr. of Eden Theological Seminary looks at the book of Psalms. In looking at the Psalms, McCann states: 'The book of Psalms presents nothing short of God's claim upon the whole world and it articulates God's will for justice, righteousness and peace among all peoples and all nations. It is the purpose of this commentary to elucidate that claim and to enable the reader to hear the Word of God as it comes to us in the psalms.' High praise goes to the general editorial staff for working with such strong authors/scholars, that their work fits together well as part of this set while retaining their individual characteristics (much like the writers of the Bible itself!). --Other volumes available-- The following is a list of each volume in this twelve-volume set, and the contents of each. Volume I: General Articles on the Bible; General Articles on the Old Testament; Genesis; Exodus; Leviticus Volume II: Numbers; Deuteronomy; Introduction to Narrative Literature; Joshua; Judges; Ruth; I & II Samuel Volume III: I & II Kings; I & II Chronicles; Ezra, Nehemiah; Esther; Additions to Esther; Tobit; Judith Volume IV: I & II Maccabees; Introduction to Hebrew Poetry; Job; Psalms Volume V: Introduction to Wisdom Literature; Proverbs; Ecclesiastes; Song of Songs; Book of Wisdom; Sirach Volume VI: Introduction to Prophetic Literature; Isaiah; Jeremiah; Baruch; Letter of Jeremiah; Lamentations; Ezekiel Volume VII: Introduction to Apocalyptic Literature; Daniel; Additions to Daniel; Hosea; Joel; Amos; Obadiah; Johan; Micah; Nahum; Habakkuk; Zephaniah; Haggai; Zechariah; Malachi Volume VIII: General Articles on the New Testament; Matthew; Mark Volume IX: Luke; John Volume X: Acts; Introduction to Epistolary Literature; Romans, I Corinthians Volume XI: II Corinthians; Galatians; Ephesians; Philippians; Colossians; I & II Thessalonians; I & II Timothy; Titus; Philemon Volume XII: Hebrews; James; I & II Peter; I, II & III John; Jude; Revelation
<< 1 >>
| 
