Bible Reference Works
Book Reviews by
Baker Encyclopedia of the Bible, Walter Elwell, ed. (2 vols., Baker Book House).
Fred G. Zaspel
This is the newest (I think) of Bible dictionaries-encyclopedias, and it is a massive compendium of information about Biblical people, places, themes, events, backgrounds. Possibly your best purchase in this area – so long as you use it, of course!
Concise Bible Atlas by J. Carl Laney
A Geographical Survey of Bible History. This is no doubt the most enjoyable Bible Atlas I have used. Popularly written, concise, helpful information. Good reading and valuable study.
Dictionary of Biblical Imagery, edited by Leland Ryken, James Wilhoit, Tremper Longman III (1998, InterVarsity Press)
Here is a nice contribution to any library -- there is just nothing else like it. The editors have done a very helpful service of gathering articles explaining the various images, symbols, and metaphors of the Bible -- images of Jesus, the Sabbath, judgment, purity, resurrection, creation, redemption, etc. (hundreds of entries spreading over more than a thousand pages). I have to say that many of the articles stretch the accuracy of the book's title a bit, but it is still a good "deepen the well" kind of tool which is always valuable. This is a useful reference tool and in some ways unique. And it is very enjoyable reading.
A Dictionary of Biblical Tradition in English Literature, David Lyle Jeffrey, general editor (Eerdmans)
This massive compendium of information is truly one of a kind. The editor has pooled efforts with more than one hundred and fifty contributors to produce the only substantial source of information on the use of the Bible in English (both American and British) literature. From Aaron and Abaddon to Contrition, David, Day of the Lord, Eden, Living Water, Lily of the Valley, Magi, Millstone, Og of Bashan, Original Sin, Patmos, Plagues of Egypt, and Smitten Rock, to Zacchaeus and Zilpah, the approximately 400 topics are treated, in turn, in their Biblical contexts, exegetical traditions (ancient through later influential interpreters), and English literature, the literature section tracing the most significant strands of use and interpretation of the word / theme by English writers. The nearly nearly 1000 pages provide a unique and invaluable resource for students of literature and a treasure of interpretive and illustrative information for the preacher.
Eerdmans Dictionary of the Bible edited by David Noel Freedman
A massive compendium of modern scholarship. The volume offers a wealth of information, but it is a colossal disappointment in two respects: 1) Many of the contributors are of a clearly non-evangelical persuasion, and this affects their conclusions considerably and at many points. 2) In certain articles much of the information has much more to do with the beliefes of ancient Israel's neighbors than with the beliefs of Israel itself as reflected in the Scripture -- much of which is helpful, but for a "Dictionary of the Bible" it is disappointing. In short, there are better resources available for this type of reference work.
The Expositor's Bible Commentary Volume 1, Frank Gaebelein, general editor.
As you may know, the Expositor's series (12 volumes) is a series of commentaries on the whole Bible. But volume one is an introduction to the Bible par excellence! Whether you buy the rest of the set or not, you'll want this volume which consists of a series of articles by an impressive list of renowned scholars, treating various subjects categorized as General, Old Testament, and New Testament. Specific topics include Biblical inspiration, canon, interpretation, geography, Biblical history, chronology, theology, language, and so on. Really an excellent resource – a virtual seminary education all by itself. Highly recommended.
An Introduction to Christianity by Alister McGrath (Blackwell Publishers, 1997).
What a delightful course of study this would be -- either as teacher or student. This book was a good idea which I intend to follow, and it is exactly what the title says: An Introduction to Christianity. Call it Christian basics 101. The book has four major divisions: Jesus of Nazareth -- the Founder and the Sources (The Bible, The History of Jesus, The Significance of Jesus), The Teachings of Christianity (The Creeds, The Sources, The [major] Christian Teachings), The History of Christianity, and The Christian Way (Christian Life and Forms of worship). As in other books by McGrath, there are a points where I wish he would come across more solidly evangelical; but these points are rather few, and with this reservation I recommend the book heartily. I don't know of another quite like it -- it is a nice contribution and will make for good reading. I hope to teach the course myself.
The Kregel Bible Handbook by William Kerr (Kregel)
"A full color guide to every book of the Bible" -- an introduction and survey of each literary section and each book of the Bible. Clear, concise, current, and helpful. Provides an excellent summary understanding of the Bible for any Christian.
The Kregel Pictorial Guide to the Bible by Tim Dowley (Kregel)
A simple pictorial survey and overview of the Bible. Very helpful for new and untaught believers. Charts, maps, pictures, timelines, calendars, and notes on the more prominent issues touching the Bible -- what it is, the main characters, leading events, the prophets, kings, apostles, daily life, the Jewish festivals, history, etc. Really a very good basic introductory guide. A great review for those who are only casually acquainted with the Bible.
The Kregel Pictorial Guide to Everyday Life in Bible Times by Tim Dowley (Kregel)
Like the previous title, only more focused on issues touching every-day life in Bible times -- home life, clothing, diet, medicine, travel, vocation and employment, weapons and war, religion and festivals, etc. The simplest way to a general understanding of these matters available.
Another helpful tool is Nave's Topical Bible – a most valuable study aid. I don't encourage purely topical preaching, but Nave is still valuable in sermon preparation and for quickly finding related Biblical passages and illustrations. A most helpful tool.
The NIV Study Bible from Zondervan
Perhaps the best of the "study Bibles" available. Good overall notes and lots of general information along the way. Very helpful. The required textbook for my NT course. Now available in NASB also.
Young's Analytical Concordance and Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
More than once I have heard Dr. S. Lewis Johnson say (with tongue firmly in cheek) that he wonders if a person can even be a Christian without a concordance! A bit of an overstatement, granted – but a forgivable one. Get a good concordance! For English readers I recommend Young's first and Strong's next. Whichever you choose, do get one, and learn how to use it to much profit.
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