Favorite Introduction or Survey of Books of the Bible

What is your favorite introduction or survey of books of the Bible?

What I am looking for is a good thing to read at the beginning of my sermon prep each week that would remind me of the circumstances and context of the passage I am working through.

Today's special, The New Unger's Bible Handbook, looks like it might be useful -- what do you think?

I tried the Opening Up series, which is good, but it's a little longer than what I would like.

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Comments

Donovan R. Palmer

These are my favorite:

http://www.logos.com/product/8183/zondervan-old-and-new-testament-introductions#001

http://www.logos.com/product/8183/zondervan-old-and-new-testament-introductions#005

Unfortunately, you can only get them as part of the whole Zondervan bundle. I have the hard copy only. The rest of the material in the bundle looks good, but I haven't used it.

I also have and use this one.

http://www.logos.com/product/2944/an-introduction-to-the-new-testament

Levi Durfey

Thanks for the suggestions, Donovan...the An Introduction To The New Testament looks interesting...I'll have to check it out more.

Anyone else?

Ken McGuire

For true BASICS, I like Knowles' Bible Guide http://www.logos.com/product/2217/the-bible-guide

It is admittedly hardly the most advanced treatment, but sometimes a reminder of what you know is good.

Allen Browne

What is your favorite introduction or survey of books of the Bible?

For a quick overview, I usually find the ISBE article gives a good brief summary of authorship, date, setting, outline, and themes of a bible book.

NT intro/survey:

deSilva, David Arthur. An Introduction to the New Testament: Contexts, Methods and Ministry Formation. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 2004.
Guthrie, Donald. New Testament Introduction. 4th rev. ed. The Master Reference Collection. Downers Grove, IL: Inter-Varsity Press, 1996.

OT intro/survey:

House, Paul R. and Eric Mitchell. Old Testament Survey. 2nd ed. Nashville, TN: B&H Publishing Group, 2007.
La Sor, William Sanford, David Allan Hubbard and Frederic William Bush. Old Testament Survey: The Message, Form, and Background of the Old Testament. 2nd ed. Grand Rapids, MI: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 1996.

The next stage is in intro section of a commentary on the book you are studying.

Brother Mark

I've owned the hardcopy version of Explore the Book by J. Sidlow Baxter for decades, and still love it! (Be sure to read the owner comments at the bottom of the linked page!)

Donovan R. Palmer

Forgot about this one... it's in prepub as it is a new edition and just about to be released:

Exploring the New Testament Collection

Have read it from cover to come in paper form. Probably going to get it on Logos this go round.

Levi Durfey

Thanks for all your replies.

I decided that the best place for me to go for a quick overview of a Bible book before preparing the sermon each week would be the Bible Dictionary route. The articles are a manageable length, and cover the basics, and usually have an outline. I can also switch Bible dictionaries from week to week to get a different perspective.

Mike Childs

For the Old Testament, it is R. K. Harrison's Introduction to the Old Testament. http://www.logos.com/product/7606/introduction-to-the-old-testament

For the New Testament, it is Donald Guthrie's New Testament Introduction. http://www.logos.com/product/595/new-testament-introduction

They are the best that I know and have been of tremendous value to me. Both are available in Logos.