Stories with Intent: A Comprehensive Guide to the Parables of Jesus, Klyne R. Snodgrass (Eerdmans, 2008)
This book is a must-have for any preacher who plans to tackle Jesus' parables. Snodgrass covers 30 different parables from the Synoptic Gospels, which makes this volume a nearly exhaustive survey of the parables. The thorough analysis of each parable includes numerous cross-references, as well as relevant historical and cultural information. The author offers judicious interpretations of the parables, shying away from allegory. Snodgrass tends to emphasize the moral imperatives of the parables, and rightfully so. The book is weaker, however, as a guide to understanding the gospel in Jesus' teaching. The Reformed preacher or teacher will find this volume to be a useful reference tool for background information on the parables, but Christ-centered theological insights will need to be garnered elsewhere.
1 Samuel: Looking for a Leader, Preaching the Word, John Woodhouse (Crossway, 2008)
A compilation of 49 sermons, this thick commentary provides an abundance of homiletical aid. Woodhouse, principal of the Moore Theological College in Australia, is especially strong in the area of biblical theology, which means that this commentary will help you to see Christ in the Old Testament narratives. Since the life of David is particularly important for psalm-singers, Reformed Presbyterian pastors should make every effort to include the Book of Samuel in their preaching schedules, and they should utilize the insights of this book in their preparation for such sermons.
1& 2 Peter and Jude: Sharing Christ's Sufferings, Preaching the Word, David R. Helm (Crossway, 2008)
As part of the same evangelical series as the previous title, Helm's contribution consists of 38 shorter sermons on these catholic epistles. The commentary offers generally sound interpretations and applications. This particular volume contains more personal anecdotes and illustrations, as compared to its First Samuel counterpart. This fact may be viewed as evidence of how preachers must expound NT epistles differently from OT narratives. The OT stories provide the preacher with ready-made anecdotes and illustrations, whereas the more didactic passages of the NT require the preacher to draw illustrations from other places.
Daniel, Reformed Expository Commentary, Iain M. Duguid (P&R, 2008)
In many ways, the Reformed Expository Commentary series by P&R is the NAPARC version of the (generally Calvinistic, but more broadly evangelical) Preaching the Word series of Crossway. Duguid expounds Daniel's twelve chapters in fifteen sermons. As you should expect from a Reformed pastor and professor, Duguid preaches the gospel, and not just the law. He takes us beyond "dare to be a Daniel," to comfort us with the good news of God's faithfulness in the salvation of his people. Daniel and his friends were rescued from ruin, not because of their obedience, but because of the Lord's mercy.
Zechariah, Reformed Expository Commentary, Richard D. Phillips (P&R, 2007)
One of the general editors of this commentary series, Phillips has given the church a very clear presentation of Zechariah's sometimes obscure prophecy. Utilizing the superb, though dense, work of Meredith Kline, Phillips preaches well the gospel of Christ. As a case in point, the doctrine of imputed righteousness is masterfully depicted in his exposition of 3:1-5. Phillips also counters the prevalent dispensationalist interpretations of this prophecy.
Ezra & Nehemiah, Brazos Theological Commentary on the Bible, Matthew Levering (Brazos, 2007)
The fourth volume in the new Brazos series continues in the same vein as its predecessors (which included contributions from Stanley Hauerwas and Peter Leithart), by stimulating preachers with astute theological commentary on the Scriptures. Since Levering is a Roman Catholic, the Reformed preacher will need to be especially careful in using this book. Yet, Levering's keen sensitivity to biblical theology makes this volume a worthwhile read. The author develops his commentary around the twin themes of "Holy Land" and "Holy People." Since resources on Ezra and Nehemiah are not found in abundance today, the thoughtful preacher will be hard-pressed to avoid this useful tool.
Dictionary of Major Biblical Interpreters, Donald K. McKim, ed. (IVP Academic, 2007)
If you have ever been curious to learn more about your favorite biblical commentator, then here is a resource for you. Over 200 interpreters are covered in this 1100-page volume. Each entry includes a brief biography of the interpreter, along with a list of his major works and a summary of his significance. Writers from all eras of church history are covered, and a fair number of Reformed interpreters are included—from Calvin, Beza, and Bucer, to Vos, Young, and Allis. The first hundred pages provide an overview of the history of biblical interpretation.
Praise Seeking Understanding: Reading the Psalms with Augustine, Jason Byassee (Eerdmans, 2007)
This book's title is a bit misleading. Neither the Psalms nor Augustine is really at the heart of this book. Byassee primarily aims to contend for the legitimacy of an allegorical reading of the Scriptures—or, as it might better be called, a "theological reading" of the Bible. Although allegorical exegesis tends to be anathema in our circles, psalm-singers might do well to reconsider it. As Augustine's handling of the Psalter demonstrates, allegorical/theological interpretation may serve to strengthen the arguments for our current distinctives in worship. Go and read, for example, Augustine's treatment of Psalm 98 (freely available online). Consider how he "allegorizes" the musical instruments of that psalm. He applies those verses to new covenant believers quite nicely, doesn't he? What can grammatical-historical exegesis, by itself, do with such passages? We should keep a watchful and hopeful eye on the burgeoning "theological interpretation" school. At least in some cases, it may be our ally.
Revolutions in Worldview: Understanding the Flow of Western Thought, W. Andrew Hoffecker, ed. (P&R, 2007)
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