The Year's Best Books for Preachers...Continued from page 1

Worthy reference books in biblical studies are always important to note, and this is the case with Dictionary of the Old Testament Historical Books, edited by Bill T. Arnold and H. G. M. Williamson (InterVarsity Press). The book is massive (over one thousand pages) and includes detailed articles that will be of inestimable value to those preaching through these strategic books of the Bible. The authors of the articles appear, however, to represent a variety of approaches and conceptions of biblical authority and the treatment of biblical history. Nevertheless, the book offers a wide view into the state of Old Testament scholarship in these areas.

Many years ago, when I first began my ministry, an older pastor advised spending most of my library budget on biblical commentaries. That was and still is very good advice. Good, substantial, worthy, commentaries stand the test of time and will never grow out of date on the preacher’s bookshelf.

Notable new commentaries released in the past year include Exodus in the “The New American Commentary” series (B & H Publishing Group) by Douglas K. Stuart, who teaches at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary. Commentaries on wisdom literature are often few and far between. Therefore, preachers will welcome the publication of Proverbs by Tremper Longman III (Baker Academic). Longman, who teaches at Westmont College, sets the record straight, arguing that the book of Proverbs is indeed a book about theology as well as prudential wisdom. “Proverbs is not readily understood if it is taken as a book of practical advice with and occasional nod to Yahweh,” Longman insists. “The book is thoroughly and pervasively theological.” In the same series, John Goldingay of Fuller Theological Seminary has released the first volume of Psalms (Baker Academic). Both volumes are released in the “Baker Commentary on the Old Testament Wisdom and Psalms” series.

Iain M. Duguid, Professor of Old Testament at Westminster Theological Seminary in California, has written two important commentaries based in Old Testament books. Numbers: God’s Presence in the Wilderness (Crossway) is released in the “Preaching the Word” series edited by R. Kent Hughes. Duguid, who also understands the Old Testament to point to Christ, suggests that the book of Numbers should be both the substance of convictional Christian preaching and a source of genuine encouragement to the church. As he argues, “It should stir us up to present faith in Christ and thanksgiving to His name, along with a hunger for the end of the wilderness and the beginning of our final rest.”

Duguid has also released Esther & Ruth (P & R Publishing) in the “Reformed Expository Commentary” series. Once again, Duguid helps to set the record straight concerning the meaning of oft-neglected Old Testament books. “The Books of Esther and Ruth are not really stories about their respective ‘heroines.’ Rather, they are part of the Bible’s larger story about God and his dealings with his people, and with the world. This is true even though the Book of Esther does not so much as mention the name of God. As in everyday life, God’s intervention is everywhere visible in the Book of Esther, even though his presence is concealed.”