Which Bible background commentary for NT do you use? and which do you recommend?
These are some in logos...
What are you opinions on this set: The Bible Knowledge Background Commentary: New Testament (3 vols.) by Craig Evans?
I use the BKBC and the IVP. The IVP is much more concise, but still informative. Both are included, or used to be, in base packages, so you may want to review pricing accordingly. If you want examples, let me know on what pericope. Of the two i prefer Craig Evan's commentary.
As an aside, William Barclays Daily Study Bible Series has some very good of background information.
Don't forget Logos now has the NIV Cultural Backgrounds Study Bible as well. From what I've seen, this is very close to having both the IVP volumes and it is written by the same authors... I have not compared the two closely but when I do look at them both they are either word-for-word or quite similar.
My preference is the ZIBBC... yes it is expensive but it is a quality title and huge. Unfortunately it is missing the John volume now but they'll replace it eventually
Josh: Which Bible background commentary for NT do you use? and which do you recommend? These are some in logos... https://www.logos.com/product/54357/the-bible-knowledge-background-commentary-new-testament https://www.logos.com/product/18657/ivp-bible-background-commentary-new-testament https://www.logos.com/product/54559/matthew-mark-luke-zondervan-illustrated-bible-backgrounds-commentary-volume-1 (4 volumes in this series) https://www.logos.com/product/5194/new-testament-background-commentary What are you opinions on this set: The Bible Knowledge Background Commentary: New Testament (3 vols.) by Craig Evans?
I have it, and it is good. I personally and professionally don't agree with Evans on a number of major issues in his understanding of First Century Judaism (which I wont go into, it would take too long to explain), but that doesn't detract from the fact that it is an invaluable resource which is well written and structured very nicely. Most importantly, it is not so wrong as to lead people astray and give them a distorted picture of what was going on in the Second Temple Period. And in this world of the proliferation of professional opinions and personal pet theories which do distort things, that's really saying something. Big thumbs up!
Dr David Staveley Professor of New Testament. Specializing in the Pauline Epistles, Apocalyptic Judaism, and the Dead Sea Scrolls.