J's Pages

by Timothy E. Saleska

In the first paragraph of this volume of the Concordia Commentary, Dr. Saleska tells us that the word the Greeks use for "maker" is the same one they use for "poet". So with the idea set that God is the "poet of Heaven and Earth" (if we may so translate the creeds) he delves into a look at poetry: Why we write it, why is it in the Bible, how do we read it. Stuff like that. He then gets to digging into the Psalms. He formats his commentary into two sections. First he looks at the psalm from it's original perspective. Then he touches on how Christians might understand the text in light of Jesus and his life, death, and resurrection. What I found most notable, however, is the way Dr. Saleska translates the text. He doesn't necessarily follow the standard translations, but opts for a rougher, more literal translation. He reasons that the poetry of the Psalms is more emotional and that the broken sentences and standalone phrases you get with a more literal translations better expresses those gut wrenching feelings which fill the psalter.

It's one for my shelf.
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by Jeffrey A. Gibbs

This one finishes up the three-volume commentary on the book of Matthew. It covers the climax of the story--Jesus' passion, death, and resurrection. Dr. Gibbs shows how the events not only fulfill Jesus' overt predictions, but also how they echo ideas and phrases from earlier chapters. All along Matthew was pointing to the cross and the empty tomb. This and the other two books are definitely some of my favorite volumes in the series.

 Of course it's on my shelf!
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by Jeffrey A. Gibbs

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by Jeffrey A. Gibbs

This one's the first of a three volume commentary on the book of Matthew. (One benefit of being quarantined is that I have more time to read these.) I found it to be a very readable book, with good, thought provoking teaching. In comparison to other Concordia Commentaries, it seems like Dr. Gibbs focuses more on the thematic structure of the book than the nuances of the language. Of course, the last few commentaries that I've read have been covering the Hebrew scriptures, so perhaps that makes all the difference. Whatever the reason, I'm eagerly diving into volume 2.

It's on my shelf!
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by R. Reed Lessing

Another good volume in the Concordia Commentary series. The book of Amos is one of judgment, condemning the ancient kingdom of Israel for their injustice and calling out their hypocrisy. There are a few calls to repentance in there, but in the end God says He'll bring down the judgment. Dr. Lessing walks the reader through the text, showing the literary methods Amos used to communicate the message and--this is a Concordia Commentary after all--showing how the book points toward Christ and the working of forgiveness and justice through the cross.

Check it out!
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by Andrew Steinmann

Technically, Dr. Steinmann's commentary on 2nd Samuel is a standalone book. Practically, it's really a the second volume of a set. The introduction and all of the scholarly background information of the books of 1st and 2nd Samuel is contained in Dr. Steinmann's previous book, 1 Samuel. This one simply jumps right in to the text. Once again Dr. Steinmann offers his relatively brief comments on the text, examining the events and people of the stories and how they reflect and relate to us today. The connector, of course, is Christ, as is brought out on just about every page. (Well, not the index and bibliography...)

Of course it's on my shelf!
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by Andrew E. Steinmann

This is the latest volume of the Concordia Commentary Series that I've finished reading. Compared to my experience with The Song of Songs, this was a breeze. Granted, the narratives in the book of First Samuel are easier to read and understand than the poetry of Song of Songs. But Dr. Steinmann's text is also quite succinct and readable. He clearly lays out the nuances of the original texts (as far as a monolingual, novice scholar such as myself can determine, anyway) and then serves up a relatively brief commentary on each pericope. If only it had been published back when I helped lead that Bible class on the life of David! Ah, well, it'll be on my shelf should I need it again.

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by Christopher W. Mitchell

It's been a while since I've been content to do my daily Bible reading and call it good. Instead I also have to read books about the Bible, books on Christian history, and an occasional bit of (good) religious fiction. Not to mention literary forays into the writings of and about other religions as well. I am, I admit, a theology geek. But I've got nothing on the Reverend Doctor Christopher Mitchell. Rev. Mitchell has taken the eight chapters of the Song or Songs (aka Song of Solomon, aka Canticles) and written a 1,289 page, monster commentary on the book. It seems like he pulls apart each verse (not just the sexy ones), examining them for knowledge, wisdom, and, of course, Christ. I can honestly say that I both want this book on my shelf and hope to never have to read the entire volume again. If you're looking for insight on the Song of Songs, definitely snag a copy of this commentary.

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by James Bollhagen

Sheesh! It really does take me a year to finish these things!

Dr. Bollhagen takes us on a journey through the Biblical book of Ecclesiastes. Like the other Concordia Commentaries, it's deep and scholarly and Christological. And way over my head, of course. Still it was well worth reading, even if I read it in small doses.

On my shelf!
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Another year, another Concordia Commentary read. Man, these things take a long time to read!* Of course, it should be no surprise that this particular volume was a challenge because the book of Proverbs itself challenges the attention span. Dr. Steinmann did a great job of delving into the text and explaining its nuances, and all sorts of scholarly things. And, as should be the case with a Concordia Commentary, he made sure to point out Christ in every chapter. Taken in small chunks, it was a delight to read. My few attempts to push through it, alas, resulted in drowsiness.
___
*DISCLAIMER: I've got a couple other scholarly volumes that I have been concurrently perusing. That's my excuse and I'm sticking with it.

Keeping it on my shelf.
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by Curtis P. Giese

on my shelf
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by Horace D. Hummel

Like I said about the first volume of this commentary, it's a dense, but good book.

Check it out.
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by Horace D. Hummel

This one's a good solid commentary. It's a bit dense, but then so is the book of Ezekiel. I liked how Rev. Dr. Hummel didn't sanitize the vulgar bits, letting the coarse language have its full force. (I'll also have to thank him for adding the phrase "fecal deities" to my vocabulary.)

Check it out.
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by Andrew E. Steinmann

An informative, but dry, commentary on the biblical books of Ezra and Nehemiah.

Check it out.
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by John G. Nordling

The thing I love about a good commentary (or Bible study, for that matter) is that it causes a definite shift in my perception of the original subject matter. In the case of the book of Philemon, I've experienced two shifts. The first, a brief session years ago at a retreat, gave me a better understanding of the story behind the book. Now Dr. Nordling's tome has given me a better handle of the significance of those 25 Biblical verses. Like any good Lutheran commentary, Philemon the commentary connects its subject to Christ. It does it in the first half of the book, where Dr. Nordling gives extensive information on the background of the letter--including an in depth look at slavery in the ancient world. It also does it in the second half, where he analyzes the text itself. Needless to say, I'll be keeping this one on my shelf.

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by R. Reed Lessing

An excellent resource to have on my shelf.
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by Adolph L. Harstad

Ahhh, it's always a pleasure to finish a thick book. With thin books, you might desire more--perhaps a sequel or two--but thick books, ah, thick backs leave you full and eager to read anything but more of the same. But I digress. What is this thick book, that I so eagerly started, lethargically plowed through and then finished with a renewed burst of enthusiasm? Well, Joshua is a commentary on Joshua, the sixth book of the Hebrew scriptures. The Biblical book is a macho book, a tale of battle and conquest, of ideals and duty and mighty miracles. This commentary is likewise a macho book. Like the leader Joshua who lent his name to the book, Professor Harstad boldly marches right into his study, challenging all those scholars who would try to remake the text into one more suited to their own ideals. Which is not to say that Joshua is exciting. Like the other volumes of the Concordia Commentary series, it's a scholarly work written for pastors and other biblical scholars who know a whole lot more than I do. There are plenty of times my eyes glazed over or I ended up skimming to a more comprehensible section. But that's the fault of the reader, not the author. Professor Harstad brings a lot of textual and archeological knowledge into the book. And throughout it all is the clear focus that the book of Joshua points toward the future Joshua--Jesus--who is leading His people into the future Promised Land.

It's on my shelf!
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by Paul E. Deterding

Just another volume of The Concordia Commentary Series--the thinnest one to date. It's a solid work of conservative Lutheran theology, meant for pastors and other folks who can read Greek. But I was able to skip over the language sections and get some tidbits out of it. There was nothing spectacular in the work, or at least nothing that grabbed my attention like the Luke volumes of the series. Still, if you want a commentary on Colossians with some depth to it, you should check it out. 

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by Louis A. Brighton

Some people are just fascinated by the book of Revelation, the last book of the Bible. Myself, I don't care for it. I mean I dutifully read it if it shows up in my daily Bible readings, but left to my own inclination, I would read the first three chapters and then skip to the end when the New Jerusalem descends from heaven and the dwelling of God is with His people and we all live happily ever after. The plagues and the wrath I don't like to think about. It gets even worse when I hear some of the interpretations that Christians have come up with to try to explain it all. (I myself am an amillenialist, and so disagree with a lot of my fellow Christians. At least the vocal ones.) Anyway, this book is a commentary on Revelation put out by Concordia Publishing House, the publishing arm of my own denomination. I got it because I've been buying their commentary series and I am quite obsessive when it comes to book collections. I also had a glimmer of hope that this volume might help me wrap my puny mind around the scripture and better appreciate it. Well, guess what? I still much prefer the book of Acts or I and II Samuel. (I'm hoping the commentaries for those books will come out in my lifetime, but that's a separate gripe.) While Revelation is a fine commentary, it just didn't impress me like Concordia's commentary on Luke. Anyway, if you're unlike me and looking for a commentary on Revelation, check it out. Brighton has his own opinions and interpretation, (like anyone else, I suppose) but he also respects the text and it's Author.

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