Suggestion: Preaching the Word Commentary Upgrade Additions

Currently the Preaching the Word Commentary sells 19 volumes

There is a 2 volume upgrade under development adding these titles:
- Philippians
- 1,2 Peter & Jude

This leaves three volumes currently on bookshelves neither in the PtW Commentary bundle or the 2 Vol. Upgrade. These are:
- 1 Samuel
- Leviticus
- Ecclesiastes

I suggest the addition of these three volumes to the upgrade OR in the interest of business an additional upgrade containing the three mentioned unrepresented volumes

I am currently reading through the Isaiah commentary and thoroughly enjoy its evangelistic and encouraging approach to pastors and teachers of the Word

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Comments

Paul N

Are there others who have puchased the available commentary set and can you give me your thoughts on the current series?

Praiser

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/161608#Comment_161608

Are there others who have puchased the available commentary set and can you give me your thoughts on the current series?

I have the series in another software, but not in Logos. I personally find that I don't use them as much as I thought I might, and really wish I would have done a bit more research before purchasing them. But I have to say that I like more technical or background type commentaries than commentaries with lots of stories in them.

I have not read through all of them, but it is not a series that I find myself going to very often (it has been months since I have visited it), but just did again so I could refresh my memory. They are more of a pastoral type commentary with lots of "stories" scattered in. I don't enjoy reading so many stories when I am trying to study the Word. I don't think there is a chapter that I have read that doesn't have a story told in it. If you like to read other people stories, they may appeal to you though.

Some reviews follow:

"The vols. blend survey exposition with frequent illustrations that will help pastors, students, and lay people who use the treatments as catalysts for growth. The writing is stimulating, and shows messages preached through Bible books." Rosscup, Jim. Commentaries for Biblical Expositors: An Annotated Bibliography of Selected Works. The Woodlands, TX: Kress Christian Publications, 2004. http://www.logos.com/ebooks/details/COM4EXPROSSCUP

"Preaching the Word is the title of a series of expository works, edited by R. Kent Hughes, designed to cover every book of the Bible. Because these expositions go right through the biblical book being covered, each volume can be pretty substantial. Strictly speaking, these books are not commentaries, but because they belong to the vision of exposition that systematically works through texts, they do comment on the thrust of each passage, and sometimes on the details, while providing models of how to expound Scripture within this homiletical tradition. The English Bible used is either the NIV or the ESV. They should not be any preacher’s first recourse, but it is highly salutary for preachers to learn how fellow preachers have handled the same text—provided, of course, that such material does not become an excuse for plagiarism. For comparative purposes, it is sometimes worth using the indexes at sermoncentral.com." Carson, D. A. New Testament Commentary Survey. 6th ed. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 2007. http://www.logos.com/ebooks/details/NTCOMMSURV

I personally think Carson's review above is being very generous toward this series.

Both of these books that I have taken reviews from are available in Logos and I would encourage everyone to pick them both up. You can pick up both of them in Logos for $35. and they will probably save you that much by helping you to research commentaries.

Also http://www.bestcommentaries.com/ is a good site for a general overview of opinions on various commentaries.

My closing opinion is that I think your dollars would be best spent on another series or saved up toward NICOT/NICNT if you do not already have it. Or even upgrading your Logos package to the next level (which should give you several more commentaries)!

Rich DeRuiter

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/162151#Comment_162151

I have the series in another software, but not in Logos. I personally find that I don't use them as much as I thought I might, and really wish I would have done a bit more research before purchasing them. But I have to say that I like more technical or background type commentaries than commentaries with lots of stories in them

That's a valid assessment. It's not a technical commentary.

But these are expository-type sermons based on the Scriptures. As such, they are aids for preaching or teaching. I find them invaluable - in their place as homiletical commentaries, and think Carson describes my experience with them well. As a homiletical commentary I have found it more helpful than the Pulpit Commentary - though that series has its moments too.

That being said, there are those that would find neither this series, nor NICOT/NT helpful to them. This is because people look for different things as they read and study Scripture. As a preacher, I encourage other preachers to look at how other preachers have preached the same passage we're looking at preaching (did you follow all that?!). But I also know that we preachers often work differently. So, focus on what helps you the most.

Praiser

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/161608#Comment_161608

I thought I would post a quote from the beginning of Rom 1:8-17 so you could possible understand what I was saying about stories:

"When my family visited Park Street Church recently, I made it a point to look for a bronze plaque bearing the inscription, "Joseph S. Olzewski S.K. 2/c U.S.C. Lost February 3, 1943 North Atlantic." I did this because of a remarkable personal experience that Allan Emery relates in his book A Turtle on a Fencepost. The day after Pearl Harbor, Emery, like thousands of others, enlisted—his choice being the Coast Guard. He was immediately put to work in his hometown, Boston, as a quartermaster, and he was given the Friday night duty of guarding one of the wharfs. On one particular Friday he had wisely decided to get some sleep before duty and was in his bunk resting when one of his new acquaintances, Joseph Olzewski, came by in immaculate dress blues—his hat squared, piping on his snow-white cuffs, his shoes spit-shined. He gave his biggest smile and asked Emery how he looked. Emery replied that he looked great and asked what the big event was. Joe excitedly explained that at the USO the previous night a wealthy girl had invited him to spend the weekend at her apartment on Beacon Hill. She was going to take him to the opera that night and had plenty of records and alcohol. He didn't have to be back until 0700 Monday morning. He ended the story by saying, "This is going to be the greatest time of my life." Emery replied that he would be praying for him. His friend walked out but immediately reentered asking, "What did you say?"
"I said I'd be praying for you," replied Emery.
"Why will you be praying for me when I'm going to have the first great weekend in my life?"
"Because, Joe, Monday morning you'll be back aboard ship and you will not be the same person you are tonight. Sin leaves its mark."
Joe swore at Emery and went out into the night.
Emery prayed for Joe as he prepared for guard duty. And he was startled when an unsmiling and agitated Joe suddenly reappeared in the guard post floodlights.
"How can you have a good time when someone's praying for you?" he said. "You've ruined my weekend. I stood up my date, and I've been waiting until you came on duty. Now tell me how to find God."
That night Joseph S. Olzewski heard for the very first time in his life the promises of God—and he believed. The change was immediate. He joined Park Street Church, spent his free time on the Common inviting other servicemen to services, prayed with his buddies at St. Paul's Cathedral which was always open, and grew in his knowledge of the Scriptures under Dr. Harold Ockenga. Then on February 1, 1943 he volunteered for sea duty on a mine sweeper headed for Iceland, and just a few days out of New York a torpedo found its mark.
Stories like this motivate me! They have a way of clearing the fog away and allowing those things which are truly important to appear. My feelings are something like Snoopy in a Peanuts cartoon. Linus had just thrown a stick for Snoopy to retrieve. His first instinct was to chase the stick. But he paused..."

Preaching the Word - Preaching the Word – Romans: Righteousness from Heaven.

Rich DeRuiter

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/162190#Comment_162190

I thought I would post a quote from the beginning of Rom 1:8-17 so you could possible understand what I was saying about stories:

Yes. These are sermons, reworked a bit for a written format, but still sermons. It's not uncommon for sermons to begin with an illustration. To be fair, this introduction to his message is not representative of most of what follows. In fact you stopped short of quoting the entire introduction. Here it is, starting with the Snoopy story you started above, but didn't finish:

"Stories like this motivate me! They have a way of clearing the fog away and allowing those things which are truly important to appear. My feelings are something like Snoopy in a Peanuts cartoon. Linus had just thrown a stick for Snoopy to retrieve. His first instinct was to chase the stick. But he paused a few moments and decided against it. “I want people to have more to say about me after I’m gone than ‘He was a nice guy … he chased sticks.’” When I am reminded of the gospel’s power to change lives, I am motivated to stop “chasing sticks” and get back to what is really important.

"That is how the concluding verses (8–17) of Paul’s introduction to the book of Romans affect me, because in them he describes what is behind his own burning motivation to minister at Rome. They encourage us to “go for it.”

"In verses 8–10 Paul writes that he had heard of the Romans’ faith and its widespread fame. This prompted him to make unceasing requests to visit the Christians in Rome. In verses 11–17 he gets down to the specifics of his motivation. First (in verses 11–13), there is the motivation which springs from the prospect of mutual encouragement. Second, in verses 14 and 15 there is the motivation which comes from a sense of obligation. Third (vv. 16, 17), there is the motivation which grows from his confidence in the power of the gospel. As we examine these, we will see that they intensify so that the final motivation (his confidence in the gospel’s power) is by far the supreme driving force behind his ministry. As we examine this text, we need to keep in the back of our minds that everyone can enlarge his or her spiritual vision by internalizing the elements of Paul’s motivation to minister to Rome."

R. Kent Hughes, Romans : Righteousness from Heaven, Preaching the Word (Wheaton, Ill.: Crossway Books, 1991), 24-25.

It looks & smells like preaching, but the series is called Preaching the Word. The description of the series on the Logos web site describes this well:

"The Preaching the Word Series is
a set of 19 commentaries on the Old and New Testaments written or
edited by R. Kent Hughes of College Church, Wheaton Illinois. Each book
is designed to help the preacher better understand and communicate the
scriptures.

"The Series is noted especially for its unqualified commitment to
Biblical authority, clear exposition of Scripture, readability, and
practical application. In each volume, Dr. Hughes demonstrates an
exceptional ability to communicate God's Word in a way that has a deep
and lasting impact on our daily walk with God. As such the Series is an
ideal resource for pastors, teachers, and for personal Bible study."

I couldn't agree more.

Yes, you will find stories, attention grabbers, application, personal anecdotes and other rhetorical devices. But that's not all you'll find. You'll also find excellent examples of expository preaching, based on solid exegesis and thoughtful reflection of what it means for us today. I've been both taught and inspired by this series, and my preaching has been positively effected by it (IMHO, of course).

After I've done my exegesis (including consulting NICOT/NT, WBC, Calvin, etc.), often my first homiletical commentary will be this series (along with The Preachers Commentary series, The Pulpit Commentary, Horae Homileticae, and often Spurgeon, Piper, and perhaps a few others).

Praiser

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/162355#Comment_162355

It looks & smells like preaching, but the series is called Preaching the Word.

That is the wonderful value of Logos...they have so many resources for every taste and pursuit in the Word.

The Original Poster asked for opinions of this series and that is what I gave -- my own personal opinion. It is obvious that I do not happen to rank it as highly as you do. Had someone else posted an opinion (it had been two days since the poster had asked), I probably would have stayed silent.

As I pointed out in my first post ...I personally don't care for so many extraneous stories in my Bible research reading/prep or listening to stories being told from the pulpit (this is my personal taste and opinion), and that is probably why I have a hard time reading the ones included in Hughes commentaries. The volumes written by others within the series do not have nearly as many stories and I have to say I like them better. That said, I believe that anyone should be able to glean something from any commentary they pick-up, but we only have so many hours to study and my time is best spent elsewhere.

For me I have too many other commentaries that I consider much more to my liking, and if someone asks me if they should spend $360 for the 19 volumes, I have to say that I think there are lots of other resources that I personally would recommend before I would recommend the "Preaching the Word" series.
To me, what it really boils down to is limited resource dollars (and time) and how to best spend them.

All of this is just my opinion, as you have stated yours, neither of us will likely ever change our opinions, and that's okay.

Blessings.

Rich DeRuiter

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/162660#Comment_162660

All of this is just my opinion, as you have stated yours, neither of us will likely ever change our opinions, and that's okay.

I agree (at least on this point) [;)]

Hopefully our difference of opinion, aired out in this way, is of some help to the original poster.

Paul N

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/162661#Comment_162661

Thank you Logos for putting together the new three volume upgrade to this series!

on pre-pub:

http://www.logos.com/product/8209/preaching-the-word-upgrade-2

Scott Wright

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/205418#Comment_205418

Dear Logos,

Please finish out the series asap: Philippians and Mark- vol. 2. Thank you.

Paul N

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/216948#Comment_216948

Scott, you can find the Phillipians volume in this upgrade released in 2010. Both Mark volumes are combined into one volume. Notice both volumes in the resource's table of contents. After the next pre-pub ships this series should be current.

EDIT:

looks like the 1 & 2 Thessalonians volume releases in paper at the end of May '11

Scott Wright

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/220444#Comment_220444

thanks Paul, I did see these and ordered the upgrades-current and pre-pub