Great conservative (reformed?) commentary sets

Hello Pilgrim Friends,

I am looking to build up my library with one more solid commentary set. I currently have Wrights "for everyone" series, the WBC, some of the Pillar NT commentaries, IVP, and a few others scattered here or there. I also have the Preachers Homelitic set in Pre-pub.

I'd like to have one more consistently solid set I can turn to reliably. I am coming from a Reformed Baptist perspective, so something conservative and preferrably Reformed would be excellent.

Anyone have any recommendations?

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Comments

Mitchell

There's always Calvin's commentaries.

papa_gowgow

I agree, Calvin's commentaries would be my suggestion. Something to consider though: I have a couple of commentaries with which I totally disagree, I find their theology to be alien to me, but I regularly go back to them to see what other perspectives might be out there. I find the challenge of stepping out of my comfort zone to be very stimulating, and it reaffirms my personal beliefs rather than threatens them.

Rich DeRuiter

Hello Pilgrim Friends,

I am looking to build up my library with one more solid commentary set. I currently have Wrights "for everyone" series, the WBC, some of the Pillar NT commentaries, IVP, and a few others scattered here or there. I also have the Preachers Homelitic set in Pre-pub.

I'd like to have one more consistently solid set I can turn to reliably. I am coming from a Reformed Baptist perspective, so something conservative and preferrably Reformed would be excellent.

Anyone have any recommendations?

Coming from a tradition that would consider a Reformed Baptist to be an oxymoron [;)], I'd suggest Calvin (if you don't have him). He doesn't cover everything, but he's a model exegete and, though dated and imperfect, his commentaries are still very, very good. I'd also recommend the Baker New Testament Commentary series (Kistemaker and Hendriksen). It's not perfect either, but it's usually worth looking at - obviously for NT studies). I've probably overlooked something.

There are other Reformed theologians who contribute to other sets, but few that are exclusively Reformed.

Most Logos commentary sets come from a generally conservative theological background, but the term 'conservative' is a bit of a moving target (depending on one's shibboleths). But the Baker Exegetical commentary (incomplete) is pretty good. I have found that the NICOT and NICNT are usually quite good and generally conservative as well. I have often also found that the New American and the Pillar series are quite good and also generally conservative.

From a Christian Reformed (crcna.org) pastor. [:)]

DMB

No offense, papa-gowgow, but I'm just the opposite (and so MJ's logical dog nipping at me). I suppose if I was a pastor, etc maybe I'd want to read the bad boys 'just one more time'. But I'm not.

If I've already concluded commentaries/authors are incapable of logical reasoning, it's into the 'Hidden Resources' they go (until the last days of course). Since I haven't accidentally purchased any problem commentaries, only 1 is presently 'hidden'. I don't know where it came from.

But before someone kills me (it's happened before), though I theologically sit to the far right of the OP, most of my commentaries are to the far left. The reason is 'data'. I'm a big believer that the more data goes on the table, the more one can confidently espouse the validity of 'the ancient writing'. Most of my arguments with 'doubters of the word' involve simply pointing out 'data' that anyone can check for themselves. It's far more effective than opinions.

papa_gowgow

No offense, papa-gowgow, but I'm just the opposite (and so MJ's logical dog nipping at me). I suppose if I was a pastor, etc maybe I'd want to read the bad boys 'just one more time'. But I'm not.

If I've already concluded commentaries/authors are incapable of logical reasoning, it's into the 'Hidden Resources' they go (until the last days of course). Since I haven't accidentally purchased any problem commentaries, only 1 is presently 'hidden'. I don't know where it came from.

But before someone kills me (it's happened before), though I theologically sit to the far right of the OP, most of my commentaries are to the far left. The reason is 'data'. I'm a big believer that the more data goes on the table, the more one can confidently espouse the validity of 'the ancient writing'. Most of my arguments with 'doubters of the word' involve simply pointing out 'data' that anyone can check for themselves. It's far more effective than opinions.

Fair point, well made.

Ben Hein

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Coming from a tradition that would consider a Reformed Baptist to be an oxymoron ,

Spurgeon would like to pick a bone with you! [:P]

All the Calvin recommendations kind of confirmed where I was already leaning. I also understand having resources from other perspectives, thats what Ryrie is for [H]

Now, some of Calvin's commentaries are on discount. Would it be cheaper for me to get those and then would the larger set be discounted because I have some of the books in my library? Or should I just straight buy the set?

Rich DeRuiter

Spurgeon would like to pick a bone with you!

As long as he sterilizes his bone pick first. [:^)]

Now, some of Calvin's commentaries are on discount. Would it be cheaper for me to get those and then would the larger set be discounted because I have some of the books in my library? Or should I just straight buy the set?

If you have some, it's probable that the full set would be discounted, though you'd have to call or email sales to find out. I'd check out my options with a sales rep. before making a final decision. I do recommend the full set, if your budget can afford it, and you don't stumble too hard over Calvin's theology of baptism. [:O]

Ben Hein

Hah, as someone who grew up in paedo-baptist churches and has now made the "switch to the dark side", and a student at a conservative reformed PCA/OPC leaning seminary, baptism is one area I've learned to navigate through without getting too caught up in it

fgh

Now, some of Calvin's commentaries are on discount. Would it be cheaper for me to get those and then would the larger set be discounted because I have some of the books in my library? Or should I just straight buy the set?

If you do intend to buy Calvin, you should start by looking at http://www.logos.com/upgrade, since his commentaries are included even in Bronze. I don't know what your upgrade price would be (make sure you're logged in!), but it's worth checking out, given how much cheaper books are in base packages.

Ben Hein

Now, some of Calvin's commentaries are on discount. Would it be cheaper for me to get those and then would the larger set be discounted because I have some of the books in my library? Or should I just straight buy the set?

If you do intend to buy Calvin, you should start by looking at http://www.logos.com/upgrade, since his commentaries are included even in Bronze. I don't know what your upgrade price would be (make sure you're logged in!), but it's worth checking out, given how much cheaper books are in base packages.

I have the old Logos 4 Scholars Silver (I also upgraded to the basic logos 5 w/ new datasets), thats interesting that Calvin is indeed part of the Bronze upgrade now. It would be an extra 70$ to get the upgrade, which I guess would only be worth it if either of these two were worth it:

The New American Commentary Series (NAC) (40 vols.)

The Pulpit Commentary (77 vols.)

Thoughts?

Bill Coley

I suppose if I was a pastor, etc maybe I'd want to read the bad boys 'just one more time'. But I'm not.

though I theologically sit to the far right of the OP, most of my commentaries are to the far left.

DMB,

I am curious, so, with all respect, I ask: If you consider your theology "far to the right of the OP," but most of your commentaries "to the far left," then which are "the bad boys" you apparently choose not to read? A casual reading of your post could lead a person to decide you refuse to read most of your own commentaries! [:P]

Be blessed,

Bill

Doc B

I am coming from a Reformed Baptist perspective, so something conservative and preferrably Reformed would be excellent.

Anyone have any recommendations?

Ben,

Same perspective.

Here is a list of what I have in Logos that fits these criteria-

MacArthur's commentaries
anything by Dale Ralph Davis
Boice's commentaries
Mentor commentaries
Focus on the Bible commentaries
Baker Exegetical commentaries
Book of Isaiah (3 vols) by Young
anything by AW Pink
RC Sproul Exposition collection
some of the NAC series
Pillar NTC
Preaching the Word series
Treasury of David (Spurgeon)

There are a few reformed commentaries sprinkled in many of the other sets as well...one just needs to dig.

HTH.

Mark Barnes

I am coming from a Reformed Baptist perspective, so something conservative and preferrably Reformed would be excellent.

Anyone have any recommendations?

My theology is also Reformed Baptist. I note that you're not looking for Reformed Baptist commentaries, but commentaries that will be useful to a reformed baptist. Everything I'm going to recommend is conservative, most of it is reformed.

At the academic level, there's NICOT/NICNT, Baker Exegetical, NIGTC and Pillar. All three are excellent.

In addition to Calvin, at the intermediate level you have the New American Commentary series, and also the Tyndale Commentary series and Hendrikson/Kistemaker. The NAC is more baptist but less reformed than Tyndale. Hendrikson is more reformed than both, but stodgier too. With slightly more application, but of a similar vein you have Bible Speaks Today and Focus on the Bible. You might consider Expositor's - some superb volumes, others not so good.

At the level of applied commentaries you have Preaching the Word (which is just superb), Boice, Wiersbe and Welwyn. There's also MacArthur but you may find him leaning too far to dispensationalism for your tastes.

The advice you've had about looking at upgrading your package is good advice. You can see if a commentary series is in a base package by looking at right-hand column of it's product page. If it's in a base package, they'll be a 'Recommendations' section in that column, and the package will be listed there.

There are others, of course (e.g. Lenski, Leupold, Preacher's, Pulpit). Generally, I find them much less helpful than those I've listed. For value for money, it's hard to beat Bible Speaks Today.

Ben Hein

I am coming from a Reformed Baptist perspective, so something conservative and preferrably Reformed would be excellent.

Anyone have any recommendations?

My theology is also Reformed Baptist. I note that you're not looking for Reformed Baptist commentaries, but commentaries that will be useful to a reformed baptist. Everything I'm going to recommend is conservative, most of it is reformed.

At the academic level, there's NICOT/NICNT, Baker Exegetical, NIGTC and Pillar. All three are excellent.

In addition to Calvin, at the intermediate level you have the New American Commentary series, and also the Tyndale Commentary series and Hendrikson/Kistemaker. The NAC is more baptist but less reformed than Tyndale. Hendrikson is more reformed than both, but stodgier too. With slightly more application, but of a similar vein you have Bible Speaks Today and Focus on the Bible. You might consider Expositor's - some superb volumes, others not so good.

At the level of applied commentaries you have Preaching the Word (which is just superb), Boice, Wiersbe and Welwyn. There's also MacArthur but you may find him leaning too far to dispensationalism for your tastes.

The advice you've had about looking at upgrading your package is good advice. You can see if a commentary series is in a base package by looking at right-hand column of it's product page. If it's in a base package, they'll be a 'Recommendations' section in that column, and the package will be listed there.

There are others, of course (e.g. Lenski, Leupold, Preacher's, Pulpit). Generally, I find them much less helpful than those I've listed. For value for money, it's hard to beat Bible Speaks Today.

This is fantastic information. Thank you for the detailed breakdown too. How I wish I had the funds for one of those expensive sets now! I'll probably just end up getting Calvin's for now, and wait until one of my classes requires one of the books in the larger set - thereby justifying the expensive purchase :-p

That's what I did for WBC, anyways

Evan Boardman

The NAC is more baptist but less reformed than Tyndale. Hendrikson is more reformed than both, but stodgier too. With slightly more application, but of a similar vein you have Bible Speaks Today and Focus on the Bible

Focus on the Bible looks good, I'll have to put that on my wish list.

abondservant

I'm a big fan of reading the Bible text literally. I'm not convinced writers write figuratively (else how would their readers/listeners know what they were talking about). I read the text as if it's presented hours after the ink dried.

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