Hey everyone! I've got a decision to make by the end of this week. Would appreciate and welcome your thoughts on which of these sets are worth getting (and which ones should be on the top of my shopping list, i.e. must-have).
If you had to choose one of these sets, which would you choose?
SET A
SET B
SET C
SET D
SET E
For what purpose? Are you in school? Preaching? Personal devotion?
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Set B any day of the week.
SET C (UBC) is complete Old Testament and New Testament and it’s fairly recent. Plus, you can snatch it for $99.99.
DAL
BKBC you should get no matter the others. I see it more as a 'reference work', quickly fits into regular study or your mobile. The others 'add' for devotional, sermon prep, or study.
Set A is a classic commentary set, so you would need to enjoy reading earlier commentaries to purchase this one. It is available in many base packages. Personally, I would not chose this set.
Set B is homiletic and would be beneficial if you are preaching or teaching. NT Wright is Anglican and his works are available in most Anglican Base Packages.
Set C is a great value right now for an intermediate exegetical commentary. I own several volumes of this set and they are a good intermediate commentary set on the entire bible.
Set D is a good commentary, but not sure it covers the entire Bible. Probably comparable with Set C.
Set E I have it and it is not worth the $$ if you have other commentaries that cover background.
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I use and like both sets C and D of your list the most. Set E I may use as a quick check on something.
Joseph F. Sollenberger, Jr.
Set C
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In regards to set B, you can find 2 of the 3 in the Anglican Starter set and all 3 in the Anglican Bronze set. I am not familiar with them though. My go to's are usually the MacArthur NT Commentary, Bible Knowledge Commentary and NAC
Joseph Turner: For what purpose? Are you in school? Preaching? Personal devotion?
This. I have them all and it really depends on your use case. For exegetical or academic work I'd choose either C or D depending upon what my needs are currently. Preaching would be B hands down for me.
Set A: I would recommend you forget about the Pulpit Commentary. Dated, hard to use, and not that helpful. (Rating: F)
Set B: BST is a very good expository series. Very solid (Rating: A). The NT for Everyone is a bit more of a exegetical commentary than BST but leans toward exposition. (Rating: B) I don't own the OT for Everyone. (Unrated).
Set C: Understanding the Bible is pretty good as an entry-level commentary. It covers the whole Bible and is at a ridiculously good price for what it is. (Rating: B)
Set D: I don't have much positive to say about The Cornerstone Biblical Commentary. It is brief and uneven. I have not found the few volumes I have to be helpful, and therefore I won't buy any more of them. (Rating: C-)
Set E: I don't have The Bible Knowledge Background Commentary but generally background commentaries supplement regular commentaries, they don't take their place. (Unrated)
Conclusion:
Set B or Set C. Set B is more expository. Set C is more exegetical.
Pastor, North Park Baptist Church
Bridgeport, CT USA
Thanks to all for your suggestions! (esp. to those who've shared your experience with these resources).
@Joseph - Mostly for personal study and - to a limited extent - for preparing materials for small groups. I use Pillar and NAC most often; I suppose an evangelical commentary with solid application points would be of great help.
Joshua.
Givenyou have Pillar and NAC, from your list of options I'd go for set B. However, you might consider buying Boice on sale at present. It doesn't cover the whole Bible, but is a great price and meets your criteria. Don't forget you can also use the $10 coupon for orders over $50 until 16th December.
I'd also consider the Exalting Jesus volumes in Vyrso and the Reformed Expository Commentaries in Logos. Maybe add these individually as needed.
Joshua Tan: I suppose an evangelical commentary with solid application points would be of great help.
I suppose an evangelical commentary with solid application points would be of great help.
Have you considered the NIVAC? I find them to be quite valuable. This is the link for the entire bundle, but you can buy them individually as well. Also, they typically go on sale a few times a year so you may want to hold off on your purchase if funds are tight right now.