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Dedicated To The Memory Of Reverdy Lewin Orrell, Jr. (1920 - 2006) |
Here's another bible commentary that I own in both hardback and software.
Hatthew Poole's Commentary of the Bible - 3 volumes is another very popular bible commentary.
Here's the blurb:
Perhaps the only true rival to Matthew Henry! Charles Spurgeon said, "If I must have only one commentary, and had read Matthew Henry as I have, I do not know but what I should choose Poole. He is a very prudent and judicious commentator . . . not so pithy and witty by far as Matthew Henry, but he is perhaps more accurate, less a commentator, and more an expositor." 3104 pages total, three hardcovers from Hendrickson.
Currently, the 3 volume hardback versions sells for about $60 at ChristianBook.com; however, I'm sure I didn't pay that amount. I'm thinking I picked it up for sale for about $40.
Every now and then ChristianBook.com deeply discounts some items. Watching their ads is very worthwhile as you can get some outstanding books at a small cost.
William Hendriksen & Simon J. Kistemaker's New Testament Commentary, 12 Volumes is an indepth bible commentary of the New Testament.
You're not dealing with a lightweight collection of a commentary glossing over a few verses. At 12 volumes they go in depth in their commentary of the New Testatment.
Also, while you are sometimes able to pick up multi-volume collections at very low prices at ChristianBooks.com, this one doesn't quite fall into that range. At $100, it's not cheaps; however considering the fact this 14 volume collection, it contains thousands of pages of commentary.
Here's the blurb:
This set is ideal for pastors and serious Bible students of the Reformed tradition. It is the only complete commentary on the New Testament written solely from a Reformed perspective. The award-winning twelve-volume hardcover set features verse-by-verse exegesis and applications, critical notes on the Greek text, chapter summaries, and extensive bibliographies and indexes of authors, Scripture, and other ancient writings enhance the usefulness of each volume.
Begun by William Hendriksen, Baker's New Testament Commentary has earned the acclaim and respect of Reformed and evangelical scholars and pastors. Since Hendriksen's death in 1982, the series has been continued by Simon J. Kistemaker. Four of the volumes compiled by Kistemaker earned the Gold Medallian Award (Hebrews, James and 1-3 John, Acts, and 1 Corinthians). The series was completed in 2001 with the publication of Revelation. Now, for the first time, the entire twelve-volume set may be purchased.
William Hendriksen (Th.D., Princeton Theological Seminary) was professor of New Testament literature at Calvin Theological Seminary.
Simon J. Kistemaker (Ph.D., Free University, Amsterdam) is professor emeritus of New Testament at Reformed Theological Seminary in Orlando, Florida.
Actually, the price of $100 certainly isn't bad for 12 books. That comes out to less than $10 per hardback.
John F. Walvoord & Roy B. Zuck's 'The Bible Knowledge Commentary - Old and New Testament (2 vol) collection is another outstanding bible commentary.
Here's the blurb:
Edited by John F. Walvoord and Roy B. Zuck, The Bible Knowledge Commentary features insightful exposition and commentary on the entire Bible from members of the distinguished Dallas Theological Seminary faculty. For commentary from the historical-grammatical and premillennial perspectives, it's hard to beat this commentary, and the commitment to scriptural inerrancy is unmatched. Thoroughly conservative and Evangelical, this commentary showcases what Dallas Theological Seminary has become world famous for, and offers all students of the Bible an insightful and applicable commentary.
This 2 volume hardback set is available through ChristianBook.com for about $40.
I don't own the printed version; however, I do have the collection within my e-Sword software.
This was not free software. I had to pay $20 for the collection.
Ideally, it's nice to have both the printed and electronic versions; however, I'm happy to have this one on software. The great part about the software version is that you can easily copy parts of it, then transfer to your word processor without having to type everything.
Yesterday I mentioned bible commentaries which deal with only one book of the bible.
The collection to the left is one of those commentary sets.
James Montgomery Boice's 4 volume set on the book of Romans is another well known commentary.
Here's the blurb:
The Boice Commentary is now available in paperback. This series combines careful scholarship and clear communication in a verse-by-verse and section by section reading of various biblical texts. James Montgomery Boice, a former pastor, combines thoughtful interpretation with contemporary insight for daily living, and explains the meaning of the text and relates the text's concerns to the church, Christianity, and the world in which we live. This commentary is useful for devotions, sermon preparation, preaching and teaching.
This 4 volume paperback collection is available at ChristianBook.com for about $45.00.
Donald Grey Barnhouse also wrote a 4 volume set on Romans which is available for $39.00.
While recent blog entries have talked about complete bible commentaries, the Expository Thoughts on the Gospels by J.D. Ryle is a little different.
Rather than a complete commentary on the entire bible, Old Testament, or New Testament, J.C. Ryle's commentary centers on the Gospels.
This four volume collection is quiet outstanding and is considered another classic.
I do not own this collection, but at $29.95, I could easily pick it up from ChristianBook.com.
While I certainly like complete bible commentaries, there's certainly something to be said for those commentaries which center on one aspect or part of the bible.
Covering Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, this commentaries certainly centers in on the Life of Christ.
I've even seen some multi-volume commentaries which deal with just one book of the bible. I'll write about one tomorrow.
Here's the blurb:
Observing the need for biblical understanding in his own parish, this classic commentary from one of England's most influential evangelical leaders in the 19th century is rich in devotional applications and exposition, which are as relevant today as when originally penned. As a Pastor and reformed scholar, J.C. Ryle writes to the average Christian in a devotional manner, aiming to help readers know Christ better and his understanding of life and people make this a perfect resource for pastors and laypeople alike. This reprint features 4 hardbound volumes.
I used to have the one volume (condensed) version of this commentary in my collection; however, I gave it away many years ago when I turned from God.
In fact, I once had a very nice collection of bibles, study bibles, bible commentaries, and other religious books. About ten years ago, due to some events in my life, I turned from God and gave everything away.
That was a huge mistake on both fronts. Now I wish I had never turned away from God, having lost a decade of communion with God. Naturally, it has taken about a thousand dollars to get most of these books back.
The Jamieson, Fausset & Brown was one of my favorite commentaries. Robert Jamieson, A.R. Fausset, David Brown did an excellent job on their work.
Here's the blurb:
Long considered one of the best conservative commentaries on the entire Bible, the Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary offers practical insight from a Reformed Evangelical perspective. The comments are an insightful balance between learning and devotion, with an emphasis on allowing the text to speak for itself. Volume one covers Genesis through Esther, volume two covers Job through Malachi, and volume three covers the entire New Testament (Matthew through Revelation). Introductions are offered for the Pentateuch, the Mosaic account of creation, Hebrew poetry, and for each book in the Old Testament, as well as for the gospels, Acts, Romans, and the entire corpus of the epistles.
I'm not sure why I haven't bought the collection for my present collection. I can get the entire 3 hardback collection at ChristianBook.com for a little less than $30.
I do have the collection on software in my e-Sword program.
Albert Barnes Notes on the Old and New Testament - 14 volumes is another commentary that is considered a classic.
While I don't own the printed copies, I do have this collection on software within my e-Sword computer programs.
Here's the blurb:
One of the best-selling commentary sets of all time! James Murphy and Albert Barnes' conservative verse-by-verse explanation of the KJV text is dependable and profitable for sermon preparation, Bible study, and teaching. A thoroughly evangelical resource, it offers pastors and laypeople a fine blend of scholarly insight, non-technical language, and practical application. 14 Hardcovers.
This entire set of 14 books may be purchased from ChristianBook.com for $90.00.
You can't beat the prices at ChristianBook.com
The Zondervan NIV Bible Commentary (2 vols) is a great bible commentary.
Many years ago I purchased it together with the NIV Study Bible.
Volume 1 is the Old Testament and Volume 2 is the New Testament.
The style of the book is a little different now, but the content is the same.
All in all, a very good bible commentary.
I've written about J. Vernon McGee several times on this blog.
I used to enjoy listening to his 'Thru the Bible' radio show every day. He would cover the entire bible, verse by verse, in five years. I've gone to his website and have downloaded many of the shows in mp3 format.
To the left is a collection of his 5 volume set. I've read it, while listening to his mp3s and must say it pretty much is word for word.
He was a great bible teacher.
I've seen five volume and six volume collections. I believe the difference is that the six volume set includes an index.
Here's the blurb:
Based on McGee's popular radio program, this readable commentary features engaging introductions, detailed book outlines, and thorough discussions of significant passages in easy-to-understand, down-to-earth language. The convenient companion index provides quick access to topics and Scripture references to help you easily pull together ideas for a sermon, Bible lesson, or personal study. 4874 pages total, six hardcovers from Nelson.
The six volume set is $65 at ChristianBook.com. I purchased my five volume set for about $49.
I could get the electronic version of the collection for my e-Sword software.
However (and this is strange), it costs more than the printed version. The software package is $79.00.
To the left is another bible commentary I'm very fond of.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on the Whole Bible - Complete and Unabridged is a huge book coming in at a little under 2,500 pages. Unlike the Believer's Study Bible which I wrote about yesterday, the print is rather small for my eyes.
Then again, I'm at the age where, when I need to buy a new bible, only shop for those 12.75 - 14 point fonts!
You can pick this book up at ChristianBook.com for about $25.00.
I also need to point out that I have this entire commentary within my e-Sword software.
Here's the blurb:
Most one-volume editions of Matthew Henry's Commentary have been abridged or rewritten. This edition boasts the entire text of the original multi-volume commentary. Henry's succinct chapter summaries and helpful outlines are included; only the KJV text is omitted to save space. Roman numerals are changed to Arabic, and Greek and Hebrew words are transliterated. This commentary follows a a section-by-section format and is based on the KJV.
Matthew Henry (1662-1714) has been known and loved for three centuries for his devotional commentary on the Bible. He was also a distinguished preacher. He began preaching at twenty-four years old and held pastorates until his death. The greatness of his sermons consists in their scriptural content, lucid presentation, practical application, and Christ-centeredness.
I find bible commentaries are very helpful when studying the bible.
Naturally a good 'study' bible helps, but they're a little bit different. A study bible is basically a bible with footnotes, endnotes, and references.
However a bible commentary generally covers nearly every verse in the bible. They might skip a few verses in spots, but generally they do a good job in covering the entire bible.
Some bible commentaries are one volume; others can be quite a few volumes. There are many 12-14 volume collections available. To a certain degree my Preacher's Outline and Study Bible is a combination bible, study bible, and bible commentary all rolled into one.
To the left is William MacDonald one volume "Believer's Bible Commentary". It is over 2,400 pages with nice crisp text.
Here's a blurb:
Written to give "the average Christian reader a basic knowledge of what the Holy Bible is all about," the Believer's Bible Commentary is a one-volume commentary on the entire Bible based on the New King James Version (NKJV). Author William MacDonald has compiled an insightful and applicable commentary, with introductions, notes, and bibliographies for each book of the Bible. This commentary is both a verse-by-verse exposition (in the New Testament, Psalms, Proverbs, and Ecclesiastes) and a paragraph-by-paragraph exposition (all other Old Testament books). Passages in the Old Testament which point toward Christ are given special attention.
Since I'll be joining the Catholic Church and be starting catechism classes in the fall, I've decided to get a head start. Fr. John Corapi has a great series on DVD and CD on the catechism.
A few months ago I purchased his entire DVD series, along with the Questions and Answers series. In all, there of 6 DVDs for the catechism and 2 DVDs for the Q&A. The catechism series takes about 50 hours to watch. To that you can easily add another 12 hours for the Q&A DVD's.
While the DVDs are nice to watch, I also enjoy just listening to his lectures. I searched the internet and found a free software program that rips out the sound from DVDs and creates mp3s. This is perfect for me as I can rip the DVDs, then put on my Creative Zen iPod.
This is not a quick process, as you must manually start the process for each track on each DVD. There are about 9 tracks on average for each DVD. Thus far I've ripped the first DVD and have copied to my iPod. I'm in the process of doing disk 2. If I do a little each day I should finish the process in about a week. Then I've have the best of both worlds - the full DVD series and all the lectures in mp3 format.
Here's another good Catholic 'How-To' book.
This one is "The How-To Book of Sacramentals" by Ann Ball.
I'm part way through this book and must say I'm getting a lot out of it.
It gives step-by-step guidelines on the various sacraments and supplies the history of the sacraments. I should really say 'sacramentals', as they are different from the sacraments. This book goes into blessings, gestures, things designated for sacred purposes, sacred places, relics, crucifixes and crosses, water, bread, images, medals, clothing and jewelry, scapulars and badges, chaplets, rosaries, etc.
As everyone knows I do quite a bit of reading and buy books - a lot of books.
The How-To Book of the Mass by Michael Dubruiel is one of the best and most useful books I've bought in over a year.
Being new to the Catholic faith and church, I'm sometimes confused about what is happening. I just received this book the other day and haven't gotten too far into the book, but I like what I'm reading. The book could be entitled "The Catholic Mass for Dummies". It explains everything very clearly.
It explains what is happening during the Mass, how it came about, and what you should be doing at that time.
Nora gave me my birthday present a little early this year.
I've been having difficulty keeping track of everything during the Catholic Mass.
She bought me this wonderful large print leather edition of the Daily Roman Missal. I'm still a little confused on how to use it to keep me straight during the Mass. However, I'll get together with her father over the weekend. He'll be able to help me out on this.
This really is a nice present.
Tomorrow - another book I recently bought which will also help.
Here's the blurb for the missal
Includes:
• Sunday and Weekday Masses (Proper of Seasons, Proper of Saints, Common Masses, Ritual Masses, Masses for Various Needs and Occasions, Votive Masses, Masses for the Dead). All complete with Revised New American Bible readings for each Mass – no need to flip pages!
• Order of Mass in Latin (Editio typical 3a) and English, with responses in Latin and English
• Excerpts from the Catechism of the Catholic Church before each Sunday cycle of Readings
• 300 pages of Prayers and Devotions
• How to Be a Better Catholic
• Basic Prayers
• Midday and Evening Prayers
• Preparation for Mass
• Prayers for Before and After Mass
• Eucharistic Adoration
• Guide for a Good Confession
• Devotions to the Blessed Trinity, Our Lord Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit, the Blessed Virgin Mary, and St. Joseph
• Meal Prayers
• Prayers at the Time of Death
• Blessings
Includes:
• Large, easy-to-read 12-point type
• Gilded edges
• Six place holder ribbons
• 200 black and white and two-color illustrations.
As stated yesterday, I've started reading Joan Carroll Cruz's book on the Eucharist. I liked it so much I ordered two more of her books. Yesterday I wrote about 'The Incorruptables'.
The second book I ordered is 'Relics'.
Here is a blog about the book:
Since the early days of the Church, the remains of a saint or holy person were called relics (from the Latin Reliquiae, meaning remains).
The Veneration of relics is practiced by Christians and non-Christians alike. It is in no way restricted to the Catholic religion but is, to some extent, a primitive instinct with origins that predate Christianity. It is known that relics of Buddha were distributed soon after his death. The relics of Confucius have been venerated by the people of Asia since the year 195 B.C., and the relics of Mohammed, who died in A.D. 632, are similarly revered. In the Old Testament the relics of the prophet Elisha are mentioned (2 Kings 13:20-21), and the New Testament notes the relics of the Apostle Paul and the wonders the Lord worked through them (Acts 19:11-12).
From early Church history there was no extravagance or abuse in honoring relics and, indeed, the practice was taken for granted by writers such as St. Augustine, St. Ambrose, St. Jerome, St. John Chrysostom and other great doctors of the Church without exception.
In Relics, Joan Carroll Cruz, author of the bestseller The Incorruptibles, describes in vivid detail the stories, history, and theology of Catholic belief surrounding the veneration of many of the major and active relics that are revered by the Catholic ChurchÑthe Shroud of Turin, the True Cross, the Blood of Januarius, the relics of the Blessed Mother, and many more. The role of relics in Catholic life and what the Church teaches about them are revealed and carefully documented in this unique and engrossing account.<br style="clear: both;"/>
A week or two ago I received a book by Joan Carroll Cruz about the Eucharest. I was so pleased with the book (I've just started to read it), that I went out and ordered two of her other books.
Here is a review that I found:
"The Incorruptibles" by Joan Carroll Cruz, Tan Books and Publishers, Rockford, Illinois,
On the very first page of her introduction, Joan Cruz specifies that she understands that she is treating a very special case in the preservation of the bodies of saints. First, she notes that there are three classifications of preserved bodies: (1) deliberately preserved, (2) accidentally preserved and (3) the incorruptibles. Ancient Egyptian mummies are probably the most familiar examples of deliberately preserved bodies; many of us have seen them in various museums. In her introduction, Ms. Cruz presents more details than most of us want to know about the modern techniques of embalming and its impact on the body of the deceased.
(Pages 27 to 32).
Accidentally preserved bodies include the more or less well known cases of bodies found in peat bogs in Denmark, Ireland and Scotland (page 32). Ms. Cruz presents the interesting case of Bremen Cathedral, Germany, where the cellar burial place tends to mummify any body left there. Experiments were run using the bodies of animals or fowls, hung in the open-windowed cellar, and the bodies of these animals became mummified.
The incorruptibles, however, are those bodies which have been preserved only since Christian times and their preservation is ..."even more baffling..." since it "...seems to be neither dependent upon the manner of burial nor on the temperature or place of interment". Joan Cruz makes a case for the intervention of God as a sign of favor to His saints. The mystery is "...further compounded ... (with) ...the observance of blood and clear oils" which flow from these incorruptibles. (Page 27). Her introduction to the book is a clear and pressing statement as to why the 100+ cases she presents are different from mummifying the bodies or from accidental preservation.
After her excellent introduction, Joan Cruz then presents, in chronological order, slightly more than a hundred documented cases of individuals whose bodies had been preserved from corruption after their death. In many of the cases, she provides photographs of the dead bodies, with, perhaps, the most striking and the most beautiful being that of the nun and saint, St. Bernadette Soubirous, (1844-1879), whose body has been preserved intact, "...without embalming or other artificial means", since 1879. This is a wonderful book, which will make anyone think again on his mortality, if the book is read with an open mind.
Here's another book that Nora recently ordered. The Incredible Catholic Mass by Fr. Martin von Cochem provides an explanation of the Mass.
Here is a blurb on the book:
The Incredible Catholic Mass is truly an incredible book about the most incredible reality in our midst--the Catholic Mass! No doubt fewer than ten percent of lay Catholics, before reading this book, would be aware of even ten percent of what it teaches. Written by a learned theologian, who was also a popular writer, The Incredible Catholic Mass is the fruit of a lifetime of study, plus, for this book alone, three years of intensive research in Scripture, the declarations of the Church, the Fathers and Doctors, and famous spiritual writers. The result is a book of tremendous breadth and penetration--one which, though highly theological, is not written in a dry, theological tone, but is aimed directly at the average reader, to show him what the Mass is in its essence and what great advantages and consolation it possesses for him--if he will just offer it with the priest in an informed way and with great devotion. For the Mass is none other than the re-enactment of the actual Sacrifice of Christ on Calvary though in a sacramental and unbloody manner. Thus, in the Mass, we have Our Lord Jesus Christ Himself acting as Chief Priest and Primary Intercessor for us with the Heavenly Father. In other words, we have in the Mass an unfailingly powerful Mediator, who will present us and our petitions in the best possible light to God the Father.
Filled with fabulously interesting true stories about the Mass and many Eucharistic miracles, the book reads extremely fast and easily, keeping the reader's attention riveted on first one absorbing point and then another, all of which are melded into a symphony of insight about the Mass that will leave the reader in absolute awe! Here is a book that is a product of our rich Catholic heritage, one that is destined to instruct both our modern times and the future. Written with the traditional Latin Mass as its paradigm, it is nonetheless not actually about that Mass, but about the essence of the Mass in general--about any Mass, in any rite--and thus it has a universal appeal and is for the whole world.
Here is a book that should be owned personally by every Catholic 15 years of age or older and read until its insights are one's own--and thereafter every three to five years to refresh one's memory. The laity will gain tremendous instruction from this book, and even priests will discover their learning about the Mass renewed and their fervor in saying it increased. Everyone who reads The Incredible Catholic Mass will think of his Mass attendance in terms of before and after this book. For it confirms the understanding that the Mass is incomparably the greatest prayer--that it is offered to God, not just by the officiating priest, but also by Jesus Christ Himself: in homage, in praise, in thanksgiving, in reparation, in petition, for conversions, for the Poor Souls, for health, for the Church, for the country, for society, etc., etc.--in short, for whatever intention a person can have.
Nora recently ordered several books from the Medjugorje website.
Eucharistic Miracles by Joan Carroll Cruz tells of the Eucharistic phenomena in the lives of the Saints. I expect this to be a good book to read, now that I've accepted the Catholic faith.
Here is a blurb about the book:
Joan Carroll Cruz's Eucharistic Miracles recounts 36 major Eucharistic miracles in Church history. She tells of Hosts which have turned to visible flesh, Hosts which have bled, Hosts which have become hard as flint when received by a person in mortal sin, Hosts which have levitated, Hosts which have manifested their hidden presence by mysterious lights, consecrated "wine" which turned into visible blood, etc., as well as many miracles which occurred after sacrilege had been committed against the Holy Eucharist. The events told here cover a wide historical gamut, the first miracle described being that of Lanciano, Italy in the 8th century and the last that of Stich, Bavaria in 1970. The author details the official investigations made into these remarkable events, and in many cases tells where the miraculous Hosts or Blood can still be seen and venerated today. Also described here are many miraculous Eucharistic phenomena in the lives of the Saints: Mrs. Cruz tells of Saints who lived on the Eucharist alone, Saints who had raptures and ecstasies during Holy Communion, Saints who received Communion miraculously, and Saints who experienced levitations, visions, locutions and phenomena of tears, fire and light in relation to their reception of the Eucharist. Plus another section of the book gives the history of Eucharistic devotions, including Benediction, The Feast of Corpus Christi and perpetual adoration. To read accounts related here --- events unexplained and unexplainable by science --- is to realize anew the literal truth of the Church's ancient doctrine of the Real Presence. Eucharist Miracles is destined to be for many people a powerful confirmation of the truth of the Catholic Faith by proving the truth of one of the loftiest mysteries of the Catholic religion --- the Real Presence of Jesus Christ in the Holy Eucharist.
Here's another book I've recently added to my collection.
The Fathers of the Early Church (expanded edition) by Mike Aquilina serves as an introduction to the teachings of the first Christian teachers. I've only read a few pages, but can already tell I'm going to like this book. I've been looking forward to especially reading about Polycarp and Justin Martyr.
Here are some blurbs about this book:
Most Christians have at least a passing acquaintance with St. Augustine, but how many know much about Irenaeus, Cyprian, Origen, Polycarp, or Justin? These are just a few of the famous "Fathers of the Church" whose thoughts and teachings have influenced the entire history of Christianity. Now, in easy-to-read and understand language, Mike Aquilina offers "a first look" at the first Fathers.
Concentrating on the first centuries of the Church, this exciting historical overview of the formation of the Faith concentrates - not on the great movements and insights - but on the characters who gave voice to those ideas. From Clement, who was St. Peter's successor, to John of Damascus, all the greatest names of the first millennium of Church history are present.
A must-read for all who seek to understand the Church's past in order to prepare for her future.
"An ideal introduction to the early history of the Church" - Homiletic and Pastoral Review
"Simply a great read... a clear, compelling, accessible primer that's a gem of readability for a popular audience. I highly reccomend it." - Archbishop Charles Chaput
"Mike Aquilina has made the Fathers accessible, interesting, and - now and then at least - even fun." - Russell Shaw in Lay Witness
"I am sure that the work in question will become a classic." - Archimandrite Joseph Lee
"A very useful and well-written book, and a good addition to any library." - Dave Yap, Greyfriars, Oxford
"A perceptive, well-written, and extremely useful introduction to the Church Fathers. The quotations from the Fathers themselves were chosen with care and will enlighten and inspire all serious Christians." - Thomas Reeves, Professor of History, University of Wisconsin - Parkside, and author of The Empty Church"
While I'm on the subject of Catholic Catechism, I'd thought this would be a good time to introduce everyone to another Catholic classic book.
The Catholic Catechism by John A. Hardon is considered a major work.
Here is what ChristianBook.com says of this book:
This volume is intended to meet a widely felt need for an up-to-date and concise source book on the principal teachings of the Catholic Church. Since the close of the Second Vatican Council, there has been such an accumulation of ecclesiastical constitutions and decrees and so many changes they introduced in Catholic practice that few people have been able to keep up with all that has happened. A parallel purpose of this volume is to offer those who use it a handy guidebook of the Catholic tradition, whether formally documented in ecclesiastical sources or implicitly accepted by the faithful under the aegis of the Church's hierarchial leaders.
While I'm on the subject of Catholic Catechism, I'd thought this would be a good time to introduce everyone to another Catholic classic book.
The Catholic Catechism by John A. Hardon is considered a major work.
Here is what ChristianBook.com says of this book:
This volume is intended to meet a widely felt need for an up-to-date and concise source book on the principal teachings of the Catholic Church. Since the close of the Second Vatican Council, there has been such an accumulation of ecclesiastical constitutions and decrees and so many changes they introduced in Catholic practice that few people have been able to keep up with all that has happened. A parallel purpose of this volume is to offer those who use it a handy guidebook of the Catholic tradition, whether formally documented in ecclesiastical sources or implicitly accepted by the faithful under the aegis of the Church's hierarchial leaders.
I really wanted to get quite a few things accomplished this weekend. Nora leaves on Thursday night to head to West Virginia for a week. My mother and I will join her on Friday night.
I have been able to collect various items that I needed to take on vacation. While the WV home is almost fully stocked with everything, on every vacation there's always a special project I want to work on.
This vacation I want to spend quite a bit of time studying my Liberty Home Bible Institute course and working on the website and blog.
I had a headcold that has really slowed me down to a crawl. I really started feeling bad on Friday afternoon and it has stayed with me for the last three days. I stayed in all day yesterday and will stay in today. Today is the first Sunday in over two months that I've missed church.
I'm struggling getting into setting up a study pattern for the Liberty Home Bible Institute, although I've received some good study hints from Clarence Ratliff. I do intend to really start concentrating on the course this week (before vacation).
When I purchased the course I had the option of getting the lectures on cassettes, CDs, or pre-loaded onto an mp3 player. Already having an mp3 player, I didn't need another. Cassettes are outdated. Therefore CDs seemed the logical choice. However, having the lectures on mp3s is a fantastic way to go, as I enjoy listening to my mp3 player. The solution is to take all 120 CDs and rip every track into a mp3 format.
This is not a quick process. It takes quite a bit of time to rip each CD. Additionally, there are a few things that slows down the process. Disks 1 - 6 (OT) contains the lectures for the Creation Stage. However Disk 6 also begins the lessons for the Patriarchal Stage. This wouldn't present much of a problem if each track on the CD was properly labeled such as 01Creation.mp3, 01 Creation.mp3, etc. No, that would be too easy. Rather they are just track1.mp3, etc.
That means after ripping to the computer I must go in and relabel each track properly. This is further compounded by the fact that sometimes study sections change midstream during an individual mp3.
I must therefore check each CD carefully where lesson sections change. From there I must make sure I have them properly divided into appropriately named folders on the hard drive. From there I must copy to my mp3 player, then create playlists. This takes a tremendous amount of time. I've been working at ripping everything for about 5 hours now and still only have done about 25% of the entire course. A few weeks ago I was able to rip through the first few course sections of the Old Testament.
I'll be hard pressed to get everything ripped to the hard drive, then transferred to the mp3 player before the end of the week; however, I'm determined to do so. So for the rest of the day, I'll be ripping thru today.
Many years ago I used to subscribe to Christian Computing Magazine. I remember getting the magazine for several years. Then, for some reason, my subscription stopped.
I enjoyed the magazine as it was full of all sorts of bible related software.
Again, this was many years ago, long before computers reached their current state of speed and power.
I have just discovered the Christian Computing Magazine has returned. However this time, the subscription is free and the magazine is totally on line in PDF format.
You can go to http://www.ccmag.com/ to sign up for their newsletter.
Also you can download the back issues directly to your computer.
On Thursday I received my giant print New American Standard Bible.
I had originally ordered it from ChristianBook.com; however, they were out of stock and it was backordered. I found another source for the bible at about the same price.
The style is $1333 and has a black leathertex cover.
I also paid a few dollars and had it engraved.
This is indeed a giant print bible with the text being about 13 point. Also, it is a red letter edition meaning that all the words of Christ are in red.
The NASB is considered a literal word for word translation. The bible also contains over 13,000 end of verse references.
I like the look and feel of the bible. The only thing I would have liked to have seen is a thumb index. The bible I had ordered with ChristianBook.com was supposed to be thumb indexed. The one I received from the other source was not. A thumb index is a nice feature.
I don't think I'm going to add bible tabs on this bible. While it would make my look ups a little quicker, I don't want to ruin the look and feel of the bible.
The NASB is currently a very popular translation. It is the translation that is used at my Baptist church.
With the recent addition of several books to my bible library, I've updated my online excel spreadsheet.
You can go here for the spreadsheet: http://www.rebnora.com/BibleBooks.xls
You must either have Microsoft Excel or the Excel viewer on your local computer to view the document.
I've recently added The Complete Sermons of Martin Luther (7 Volumes), Expository Thoughts on the Gospels (4 Volumes), The Westminster Pulpit (5 Volumes) and Spurgeon's Sermons (5 Volumes).
Can you believe that these 21 hardback books only cost $128, plus about $12 shipping? Even counting shipping the average cost per book was under $7.00.
You just can't beat the prices at ChristianBook.com.
I've been wanting to get the Expository Thoughts on the Gospels, 4 Volumes by J.C. Ryle for some time, so it was nice to add to my collection.
That will probably be the last 'commentary' purchased for a little bit. Having the Preacher's Outline and Study Bible (both in print and electronic form), plus having several other printed commentaries, and many more electronic commentaries within E-Sword, I pretty much have a wide gambit of commentaries.
If you notice, the other three collections that I purchased were sermons and writings by well known ministers. I wanted to get some of the sermons from the 'classic' preachers in history.
Certainly everyone has heard of Martin Luther.
Charles H. Spurgeon was one of the best known preachers of his time (June 19, 1834 - January 31, 1892) was a British Reformed Baptist preacher who remains highly influential amongst Christians of different denominations.
The Westminster Pulpit sermons of G. Campbell Morgan (1863 - 1945). Ordained a minister of the Congregational Church in 1889, the young man became the leading preacher in England, holding several pastorates. Later he became widely known in the United States and Canada as a Bible conference speaker, lecturer, pastor and teacher before returning to England in 1935 to become the pastor of Westminster Congregational Church in London.
There is one nice feature of the LHBI. Since the course is broken down into three different sections (Old Testament, New Testament, & Doctrine) with various lessons within each, you can jump around from lesson to lesson.
In other words, one method could be to do the first lesson of the Old Testament (Creation Stage), then do the first lesson of the New Testament (Gospels), then do any of the sections of the Doctrine section (since none of the doctrine sections actually build on one another).
I hope to finish up the Creation Stage this weekend. Then I'm thinking about moving on to a doctrine lesson, then go to the Gospel lesson in the New Testament.
I don't want to get bogged down in the Old Testament. Since this is a huge part of the bible, this stage could get rather boring very fast. By mixing it up a bit and going from section to section, it should keep my interest up in the course.
Over the last few days I've written about various collections of sermons of famous preachers.
Certainly, most people know about John Wesley, who is considered the father of the Methodist movement.
ChristianBooks.com has a wonderful 7 volume hardback collection of his works for $48.
This collection is about 7,500 pages!
The most complete collection available of Wesley's works! The writings in these volumes include Wesley's comments on more than 4,000 subjects, hundreds of personal letters, his complete journal, homiletical pointers, scores of addresses, sermon resources, and an extensive subject and Scripture index. Originally published in 14 volumes. 7488 pages total, seven hardcover volumes.
I started my Liberty Home Bible Institute course yesterday and wanted to make a few quick observations.
Thus far I'm rather pleased with the course. It's not going to be easy, but it looks like it is going to be a detailed study of the bible. Not only will it cover the Old and New Testaments in detail, it will also go into the various doctrines of the bible. That's exacatly what I'm looking for.
The course work was packaged nicely. With six plastic cases filled with about 122 CDs, the set fits nicely onto my bookshelf.
Willmington's Guide to the Bible is a huge textbook which clearly explains the bible. It is written in an easy to understand format.
I've noticed that the Dean (H.L. Willmington) lectures fairly closely follow the textbook; however, it is confusing at times as I have to look around on the various pages to find what he is talking about. He doesn't completely follow the text, but jumps from one page to another, then goes back.
The CDs are nicely prepared and the sound quality is acceptable. Yesterday I listened to some of the CDs and tried to follow along in the text.
The one thing I'm slightly disappointed on is that there really isn't a well documented way of taking the course. A nice guide of some sort would have been nice. In other words, it would have been nice to see it written somewhere to 1.) Read a certain section of the bible 2.) Read a certain section of the textbook. 3) Listen to a specific set of lectures on these CDs.
That would really proved useful.
That's what I'm going to do from now on. 1. Read the section of the bible on that particular part of the course. 2. Read the corresponding textbook section. 3. Listen to that specific section of the CDs.
It might sound like a small point, and it probably is; however, I would like a more structured study outline to follow.
I'm not in hurry to rush through the course. There is no time limit. I'll study a section, take the midterm, take the final, then move onto the next section.
I'm going to take a few days off from the course of study between sections. In fact, I might take a week off between sections so that I can read and study other things that interest me.
All in all, I'm rather pleased with the course. For $950, I think I've spent my money wisely.
While I'm on the subject of sermon collections, I would be remiss if I didn't cite the 7 volume set of the complete sermons of Martin Luther.
You get all three volumes of The House Postils---plus a 4-volume collection of 175 more sermons---at an outstanding price. Includes messages preached between 1532 and 1534 that reveal the more personal side of the Reformer and illuminate such topics as false prophets, the disciples' imprisonment, and difficult parables. Approx. 4700 pages total, seven hardcovers from Baker.
You just can't imagine the huge collect of about 4,700 pages.
ChristianBook.com sells this complete set of seven hardback books for $35.99.
That's about $5 per hardback. That is truly an unbelievable price.
Yesterday I mentioned The Westminster Pulpit collection. In the entry I wrote that the preacher (G. Campbell Morgan) is ranked right up there with Rev. Charles H. Spurgeon.
ChristianBooks.com has a 5 volume collection of Spurgeon's sermons for the low price of $32.99.
The sermons of Charles Haddon Spurgeon were the pinnacle of preaching in mid-nineteenth-century England. They are still powerful and widely influential today. This five-volume hardcover set is a compilation of Spurgeon's best sermons. Featuring over 250 of Spurgeon's finest sermons, this comprehensive collection covers topics from Israel in Egypt and confession of sin to justification by grace and Paul's first prayer. This set also includes indexes of texts and subjects, so you can easily find what Spurgeon had to say on a particular verse or topic.
Charles Haddon Spurgeon served for thirty years as preacher and pastor of London's six-thousand-seat Metropolitan Tabernacle, which his growing congregation opened in 1861. His writings, including thousands of sermons, are still popular with pastors and devotional readers.
Note: This set was originally published in ten volumes in 1883, this collection was printed in five volumes by Baker Publishing in 1996 and is now back in print.
I'm about ready to turn in for the day and really want to get a good night's sleep.
This week I received my course material for the Liberty Home Bible Institute.
I must say I'm very impressed.
The total cost of the course is $950.00
When I was finishing up ordering everything last week, the representative asked me if Nora might want to take the course too. I asked her what the additional cost would be to add her.
I was surprised to find out there is no additional cost to sign a spouse up for the course. They will send a second complete set of notebooks, workbooks, and exam books for Nora and no charge me anything for her to take the course.
I still only got one textbook (Willmington's Guide to the Bible) and 'The King is Coming'.
However, this works out fine. I was very familiar with Willmington's Guide to the Bible and already owned a hardback copy of this book. I was able to give the second book to Nora for her to use.
All of the material is nicely presented and packaged. I have six large plastic containers in which all of the CDs are housed. Currently I'm burning the discs to my computer in an mp3 format. From there I'm transferring to my iPod. I therefore can either listen to the CD or listen via an mp3 player.
The institute also sent along a portable CD player and headphones.
I must admit I like what I see (and hear!) so far. I've listened to nearly all of the first CD.
It's time to hit the hay. I want to spend most of tomorrow working on my assignments. I'm curious how many lessons I can get through in about 6 hours of work.
I buy most of my bible study books from ChristianBooks.com. Having signed up for their email list, I generally receive an email every Friday regarding the various special deals they have.
Today I recieved an email which contained a special deal on the Westminster Pulpit (5 hardback volumes) which is the collection of nearly 300 of G. Campbell Morgan's sermons. The 5 volume set comprises about 3,500 pages.
Want to guess the price on these 5 hardback books? The regular cost is $200, but ChristianBooks.com usually sells the set for $45. Today the cost is $29.99 a savings of about $170. Sometimes it pays to read your emails.
Morgan is described as "one of the most powerful witnesses for Christ since the Reformation." Here are nearly 300 of his sermons as they were preached at London's Westminster Chapel at the height of his career. The collection is scholarly and diverse, suitable for both sermon help and devotional reading. This attractive reprint edition is beautifully bound in five hardcovers.
One reviewer wrote that sermons by Morgan ranks second only to Charles Spurgeons sermons. You can't get much better than that.
I'll let you guess as to whether I ordered the books.
Yesterday, I highlighted the latest book in my collection. Today I'll mention another book which has also been ordered. It is related to the same subject as yesterday's book.
Here is the blub from ChristianBook.com:
This book presents a bold and beautiful picture of the character and spiritual life of a pastor. Originally written by Derek Prime as Pastors and Teachers (1989), Alistair Begg’s contribution serves as an incredible enhancement to the book. Both authors of this revised, expanded edition of Prime’s work are seasoned pastors. And their wisdom is strewn throughout every page.
While it is a rich treat to be able to walk beside these men as they wander through what the Bible says a pastor is to be and do, it is an added privilege to be let in on the relationship that these men have with each other. At times, this reviewer felt as though he were transported into a living room with a warmly lit fire, listening to these old friends chat about the task that God had called them to give their lives over to.
While the book moves through the biblical descriptions of a pastor, it is laden with entire pages where it is either Prime or Begg writing, commenting on what has already been said, making current application of the principles in each of their own lives. In these special parts of the book (which occur throughout), it is the seasoned wisdom of godly pastors that readers are able to observe. Moreover, they speak as men who have lived out the principles they are writing about. It is not theoretical pastoral musings, these men are authentic shepherds who know their calling and want to discharge their duty to the best of their abilities, by grace. Most often when the writers interject their personal thoughts and comments, Prime is followed by Begg. The comments made in this order marvelously show forth a symphonic order, granting glimpses into the authors’ relationship, showing Begg like a student, carefully learning from his former pastor and mentor. Begg was Prime’s ministry assistant while the latter was pastoring at Charlotte Chapel in Edinburgh, Scotland. The book shows how that early relationship made such an enormous impact on Begg’s subsequent life and ministry.
This book is not a manual about the nuts and bolts of pastoral ministry. It is about the biblical principles that separate a godly pastor from a mere professional minister, while offering practical tips throughout. Therefore, I would highly recommend this work to any pastor who is seeking to grow spiritually in his role as a shepherd, or any seminary student on his way to becoming a pastor. – Jason Sexton, Christian Book Previews.com
This book is currently on back order; however, I should receive it within a few weeks.
Is It I, Lord?: Discerning God's Call to Be a Pastor by James O. Chatham (Westminster / John Knox / 2003 / Paperback) is the latest book in my collection.
Here the blurb:
In this small yet immensely helpful book, experienced pastor Jim Chatham offers an invaluable resource for those seeking to answer the question "Is God calling me to be a pastor?" By identifying related questions such as "What is the life of a pastor like?", "What does a call look, sound, and feel like?", and "What are the major benefits and drawbacks of being a pastor?", Chatham guides his readers through the difficult process of discernment.
Here is another blurb I've found:
"Everyone who has ever entertained the notion of becoming a minister or church professional ought to read this book." -John M. Buchanan, Pastor, Fourth Presbyterian Church, Chicago, Illinois In this small yet immensely helpful book, experienced pastor Jim Chatham offers an invaluable resource for those seeking to answer the question "Is God calling me to be a pastor?" By identifying related questions such as "What is the life of a pastor like?", "What does a call look, sound, and feel like?", and "What are the major benefits and drawbacks of being a pastor?", Chatham guides his readers through the difficult process of discernment. As Chatham writes, "The path of answering God's call is not easy. God does not build straight highways through the desert to guarantee us safe passage. . . . This book will serve as a companion to all who are on that journey, listening for that voice." James O. Chatham is Pastor Emeritus of Highland Presbyterian Church in Louisville, Kentucky. He is the author of Enacting the Word: Using Drama in Preaching
Like the website mentioned yesterday, here's another one you can get lost (or found) for hours in.
It's called the Christian Classic Ethereal Library and is at this location: http://www.ccel.org/
Pay them a visit. There is a tremendous amount of matieral on their website. Once you register you can download hundreds (or maybe thousands) of outstanding bible resourses.
One interesting item is that you can download many items in either Adobe or Microsoft Word format.
Going Back To The Basics
Isn't it amazing that now 27 years after becoming born again, I have returned to the basics?
I used to watch Rev. Jerry Falwell's "Old Time Gospel Hour" on TV when I first became saved. I always enjoyed his programs and his style of preaching. I'm not sure when the Liberty Home Bible Institute was formed, but I think it was sometime in the mid 1980's.
I can remember getting literature from them from time to time. I used to help underwrite a college schlorship for a student at Liberty University. It was much, but I think I contributed about $15 a month for a year or so. In return, Falwell sent me several items including a wonderful study bible and Willmington's Guide to the Bible.
I considered signing up for the bible course several times over those years. Back then, before CDs and DVD, all lectures were sent on cassettes. Now you have the option of either getting the lectures on cassettes, CDs, or on a preload iPod.
If I remember correctly the course was about the same cost back then. The course currently costs $1,250. You get 240 lectures on 138 CDs, plus some books. Also, if you pay the course upfront they knock $300 off the price.
Below is some advertixing material I found about the program:
240 lectures on 138 high-quality CD's, textbooks, and the professors own study notes.
Willmington's Guide to the Bible is your textbook. The most comprehensive Bible guide anywhere. It contains more than 1,000 pages that take you chronologically through the Bible from Genesis to Revelation and the 12 major Bible doctrines
Comprehensive mid-term and final exams to test your progress
6 (optional) Electives to expand your knowledge
PLUS... an all-new 12-lecture course, THE LIFE & TEACHINGS OF JESUS CHRIST on either DVD or VHS
Upon graduation, a beautiful Diploma in Biblical Studies from Liberty University, suitable for framing
Curriculum -Complete Chronological Study
Old Testament
• • Creation Stage
• • Patriarchal Stage
• • Exodus Stage
• • Conquest Stage
• • Judges Stage
• • United Kingdom Stage
• • Chaotic Kingdom Stage
• • Captivity Stage
• • Return Stage
New Testament
• • Gospel Stage
• • Early Church Stage
• • The Epistles
• • Paul’s Latter Epistles
• • General Epistles
• • Final N.T. Epistles
Complete Bible Doctrine Study
• • Doctrine of Prophecy
• • Doctrine of The Holy Spirit
• • Doctrine of The Bible
• • Doctrine of Satan
• • Doctrine of The Trinity
• • Doctrine of The Son
• • Doctrine of Man
• • Doctrine of Angels
• • Doctrine of Salvation
• • Doctrine of Sin
• • Doctrine of The Church
• • Doctrine of The Father
The Life and Teachings of Jesus Christ
• • His Pre-existence and Old Testament Ministry
• • The Incarnation of Christ - Part I
• • The Twelve Reasons for the Incarnation of Christ - Part 2
• • The Names, Titles and Humanity of Christ
• • The Deity of Christ
• • The Humility and Character of Christ
• • The Kenosis (Divine Emptying) and Offices of Christ
• • The Death of Christ - Part 1
• • The Death of Christ - Part 2
• • The Resurrection of Christ - Part 1
• • The Resurrection of Christ - Part 2
• • The Ascension, Present Ministry and Future Return of Christ
I'm looking forward to the arrival of the material.
I've just come across a great bible reference library source.
It's called David Cox's Online Religious Library and is located at:
http://www.davidcox.com.mx/library/library.htm
Be sure to pay this site a visit. There is a ton of PDF files you can download which would be especially useful when doing studies on the various books or themes of the bible.
I became acquainted with Liberty Home Bible Institute many years ago. In fact, I almost enrolled several times over the last two decades.
This is a free-study program with no set time limits. In fact, the representative informed me they still have people who enrolled twenty years ago mailing in their exams. I think a self paced program like this is the best way for me to go. I can study at my leisure, when and where I want. I'm not on a calendar or clock. I really feel, that at my stage in life, this would work best for me.
I know one thing for sure - it will be a solid bible based program from beginning to end.
They have different types of course materials available. In fact, they even have one package where all of your lessons come preloaded onto an iPod. You can also get the lessons on CDs or on audio cassettes. I decided to go with the CD package. This way I can listen to them in my car or on a CD player. Also, I'll be able to 'rip' the CDs into an mp3 format and download on my personal iPod.
Upon completion I'll receive a Diploma in Biblical Studies from Liberty University. That's certainly not a M. Div, but it will be good bible based study. That's all I really care about.
I've spent the last few weeks considering various options with bible study. I had wanted to entered Southern Baptist Theological Seminary to obtain a Masters in Divinity. This is an intense program involving class in Columbia, Maryland, every Friday night from 7 - 9:30 PM and every Saturday from 8:30 AM - 2:30 PM.
In the end I decided not to apply for the M. Div. program. The cost, as most graduate level classes, is rather high. Also, this would tie up every weekend for the next several years.
Still working, this presents a problem in that I must carry a beeper and be on call every few weeks. I'm not about to pay over a thousand dollar a semester, then run chance of being beeped and having to leave class. This is something I have no control over. As long as I'm working it is difficult to find a way around this. One day this will not be an issue. However, now it is.
Another reason for not attending is that I do not feel I'm properly equipped to go directly into their Master's program. I've never had any formal bible training. Wishful thinking does not count in graduate school and I'd be well behind the other students.
The final reason I've decided not to attend SBTS is that we are going to keep the house in West Virginia. If I attend school on Friday nights and all day Saturdays, I'd be wasting my money keeping the house.
Therefore I decided to look at other options. I did locate several universities that offered the M. Div. online. However, again, costs were very high in most institutions. One under consideration was Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary and Graduate School. Again, this was rather costly.
I decided on another avenue with a different online university. I signed up and received part of my first course. I quickly knew this wasn't for me. I didn't feel 'warm and fuzzy' about what they were saying. I won't mention their name. There program might be OK for some people, but I wasn't at all impress with the first course on the way to the M. Div.
At this point, I've decided that it is not important what level or type of 'degree' I obtain. Let's face it, at my age I'm never going to be ordained a preacher. I don't even know that's something I really want, but it is a nice thought.
What I really want is to learn and study the bible in some sort of organized program. The amount or type of accreditation does not really mean anything to me. I only want to learn in a fashion that I can understand, respect, and work with.
The next blog entry will reveal what I've decided to do.
The other day I did an entry about the Confraternity of Precious Blood. In it I cited some of the books they've put out.
Below is a little sample from one of their books. The chapter is about compuction of the heart.
Christ:
My child, how can any man abandon himself to the pleasures of this earthly life? Such people do not appreciate the miserable condition of their souls, nor the rapid passiing away of this brief experience. They do not stop to think and to look beneath the surface of their daily activities. They laugh when they have many reasons to weep. Happy is he who can overcome the distractions which hinder him from straight thinking.
As for you, strive to develop within yourself a genuine compunction of heart. Compunction is a deep and lasting sorrow for your sins. It is not a gloomy nor depressing sorrow, but an intelligent admission of your sins and sincere determination to do something about them. Since compunction comes from a realization of how you have failed so good a God, it brings with it a readiness to accept anything from My Hand.
Compunction opens the way to many blessing and precious graces. When compunction fills your soul, the world will lose its magic attraction and will become more distasteful to you. Compunction will help you realize how quickly earthly joys pass away, while eternity goes on forever. You will see clearly that your sins have offended Me. One who has genuine compunction, is honest enough to admit his sins, and is truly sorry for them. His sorrow is proved by his sincere efforts to be rid of his faults.
Think:
Compunction is a great grace by which God helps me to face the truth about my sins. It also helps me to face the truth about my sins. It also helps me to prove my sorrow for my faults. By compunction a man begins to attack his faults and to practice the oppositve virtues. I can be sure of my sincere sorrow only when I have begun to do something about my faults. Compunction is a lasting sorrow because it is not an emotion, but rather an intelligent admission of facts. It shows me my faults, God's goodness, and my own need to change for the better. Then it helps me undertake the daily task of adandoning my faults and acquiring the opposite virtues.
Pray:
Lord, I want to live a cheerful life, but I do not want the kind of cheerfulness which refuses to admit the truth. I can admit my sins and still be cheerful, as long as I am doing my best to overcome and make up for those sins. I do not want any gift or talent which might make me proud, or worse in any way. Not everything that is high is holy; nor is every pleasant thing good. Good desires are not always unselfish. You, my Lord, are not always pleased with the things that we prize. It is far better to have compunction than to be able to talk about it. Grant me genuine compunction, so that I may hate my sins and daily fight against them. Amem.
As you can see, a short chapter like this can be read in a few minutes. I try to do one in the morning and another at night from one of the books.
I've recently come across some small, inexpensive books (abt. $8 each), put out by the Confraternity of the Precious Blood.
I've purchased the first three books listed below. These are rather small in size. They're made to be read a few pages at a time, no more than that. They give you a little lesson, then something to think about, then a prayer.
My Daily Bread by Anthony Paone SJ
My Meditation on the Gospel by John Sullivan
My Way of Life by The Confraternity of the Precious Blood
My Imitation of Christ by Thomas A. Kempis
Liturgy & Laity by Peter Chiara
My Daily Life by Anthony Paone SJ
My Meditations on St. Paul by James Sullivan
My Daily Psalm Book by Fr. Peter Frey (editor)
Since I'm starting to get on a roll with books from my library, here's another one worth mentioning.
It's called "All the Messianic Prophecies of the Bible" by Herbert Lockyer.
Here is the product description:
In this remarkable volume, Dr. Herbert Lockyer examines all the prophecies in Scripture concerning the promised Messiah, his ministry, and his message. From the mundane to the mystifying, you'll get a close look at how different prophecies portrayed with stunning accuracy the coming Christ: his ancestry, his birth, his character, his death and resurrection, and more. This is a compendium of all the prophecies in Scripture concerning the promised Messiah. Dr. Lockyer's discussion is divided into two sections, Specific Messianic Prophecies and Symbolic Messianic Prophecies.
Yesterday I mentioned two books containing charts and lists that I've found very helpful.
There's another book which is also in my library which I should have mentioned.
It is called "Charts of the Gospels and the Life of Christ" by Robert Thomas.
Here's the product description:
Jesus Christ was both the unique Son of God--the Messiah foretold in Scripture--and a man of his time and culture. Charts of the Gospels and the Life of Christ helps you to know him better by clearly organizing the facts that surrounded his life.
Whether you're a student, pastor, teacher, or simply someone who wants to take your study of the Bible deeper, this book helps you to see Jesus from a variety of perspectives. Divided into four sections, it gives you:
Every now and then I find myself pulling out two very handy bible reference books.
The first is Nelson's Complete Book of Bible Maps & Charts, Revised and Updated and the second is Holman Book of Biblical Charts, Maps, and Reconstructions.
Nelson is advertised as:
All the visual Bible study aids you need are in this key resource. Whether you are leading a Bible study group, teaching a Sunday school class or just curious about biblical times, this book has the visual aids to help you and others gain a deeper understanding of the Bible. With the help of reproducible maps and charts you can provide others with the opportunity to accurately visualize the events, places and people in the Old and New Testaments. Add to that the numerous easy to understand tables and surveys inside and you have a visual overview of the whole Bible at your fingertips.
Holman is advertised as:
Pastors, Bible teachers, students, families---anybody who wants to deepen their understanding of the biblical people, places, and events that shaped world history---will treasure this comprehensive reference! Inside you'll find detailed color maps, charts, and timelines; artistic renderings of biblical cities and artifacts; cross-references to the Holman Bible Handbook and Dictionary; and more! 176 pages, spiralbound hardcover.
I find both of these books very useful; especially when I'm looking for some sort of chart.
Currently, I'm trying to put together a chart for the Harmony of the Gospels. Both books have such a chart and both are a little different from each other. By combining the two and coming up with my own type format, I'll be able to have a nice finished product. More on the Harmony of the Gospel project later.
Here is the next passage of Philip Yancy's book "Prayer" that I wanted to share:
I once heard a theologian remark that in the Gospels people approached Jesus with a question 183 times whereas he replied with a direct answer only three times. Instead, he responded with a different question, a story, or some other indirection. Evidently Jesus wants us to work out answers on our own, using the principles that he taught and live.Prayer, I find, often operates the same way. In the difficult and sometimes frustrating act of pursuing God, changes occur in me that equip me to serve God. Maybe what I sense as abandonment is actually a form of empowerment.
Here is the next passage of Philip Yancy's book "Prayer" that I wanted to share:
Today life conspires against a regular, satisfying prayer time. Reading the classic devotional literature, I am struck by how much of it came from the pens of people who living in communities organized for that purpose (such as convents and monasteries) or from those who had servants to handle the time-consuming chores (they say nothing of the servants' prayer lives). I find scant advice on prayer written by a mother of three teenagers or an excustive who puts in seventy-hour weeks at the office.Add to modern hindrance the barrage of 'noise' in an information society - chat rooms, mobile phones, television, text messagings, iPods, BlackBerry Internet devices - and prayer simply gets drowned out.
Here is the next passage of Philip Yancy's book "Prayer" that I wanted to share:
Don Postema says, "I used to write in my daily calendar '7 - 7:30 a.m.: Prayer.' But many times I passed that up. It was one more thing to pass by that day. Now I write '7 - 7:30 a.m.: God' Somehow that's a little harder to neglect.' I have found that my reluctance to pray increases when I regard it as a necessary discipline and decrease when I see it as a time to keep company with God.
Here is the next passage of Philip Yancy's book "Prayer" that I wanted to share:
A person prays, sand Augstine, "That he himself may be constructed, not that God my be instructed.
Here is the next passage of Philip Yancy's book "Prayer" that I wanted to share:
Persistent prayer keeps brings God and me together, with several important benefits. As I pour out my sould to God, I get it off my chest, so to speak, unloading some of my burden to One who can handle it better. Little by little, as I get to know God I learn that God has nothing in common with an unjust judge or a stingy neighbor, though at times it may seem so. What I learn from spending time with God then better equips me to discern what God wants to do on earth, as well as my role in that plan.
Here is the next passage of Philip Yancy's book "Prayer" that I wanted to share:
Consider again the act of repentance. Confessing my sins before God communicates something God already knows. Yet somehow the act of confession binds the relationship and allows a closeness that could not otherwise exist.
Here is the next passage of Philip Yancy's book "Prayer" that I wanted to share:
Jesus' prayers, in fact, show a remarkable lack of concern about his own needs. "Take this cup from me" may represent the only time Jesus asked something for himself.
I had never thought about this before. How much time do we spend in prayer asking for things for ourself, rather than for others? Excellent point.
Here is the next passage of Philip Yancy's book "Prayer" that I wanted to share:
I can count on one hand my most intimate friends, those with whom I would share anything ... When we meet, though, we skip the chitchat and go right to the heart of what concerns us most ... Friendship and God encompasses each of these levels of communication.
That's very true. When I see a close friend we don't waste time talking about the weather or engaging in small talk. We open up and talk about what is really happening in our lives and what our most pressing concerns are. That is the type of relationship you should have with God in prayer.
Here is the next passage of Philip Yancy's book "Prayer" that I wanted to share:
Jesus counted on prayer as a source of strength that equipped him to carry out a partnership with God the Father on earth.
Here is the latest publishing schedule for POSB. These are the only books of the bible remaining to be published.
Daniel/Hosea Early 2008
Joel-Nahum Late 2008
Habakkuk-Malachi Early 2009
Job Late 2009
Ecclesiastes/Song of Solomon Early 2010
Proverbs Late 2010
Psalms vol. 1 Early 2011
Psalms vol. 2 Late 2011
OT Master Subject Index Early 2012
The other day I received an advertisement from Leadership Ministries Worldwide, the creators of the Preachers Outline and Sermon Bible.
They are currently offering the POSB on CD for $407.94.
Included is:
King James Version
God's Word Bible
The complete New Testament POSB: Matthew - Revelation Commentary & Outlines
The Old Testament POSB Pentateuch: Genesis - Deuteronomy Commentry & Outlines
The Old Testament POSB History: Joshua - Esther Commentary & Outlines
Practical Word Studies in the New Testament
What the Bible Says to the Minister: The Minister's Personal Handbook
Talking Strong's Greek & Hebrew Dictionary
Plus 11 additional reference tools
Keep in mind this is the CD version and not the printed books in 3 ring loose leaf binders. Currently in KRJ format, 3 ring binder version, I own: The complete NT (Matthew-Revalation) and the Pentateuch (Genesis - Deuteronomy).
I do not own either version of their OT history books (Joshua, Judges, Ruth, 1 Samuel, 2 Samuel, 1 Kings, 2 Kings, 1 Chronicles, 2 Chronicles, Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther)
If I picked up the CD I would gain the last dozen books mentioned. What would it cost to purchase the 3 ring loose leaf versions of these books? Through Scripture Truth the cost would be $260.55. Basically it is $28.95 x 9 volumes. Judges & Ruth are in one book and Ezra, Nehemiah, & Esther are in one book. For about $140 more, I can get everything on CD. Of course, from there I'd have to print out the dozen new books and would have to purchase 3 ring binders for them. However, in doing so, I would have the complete NT, plus Genesis - Esther in both 3 ring printed version and on CD. I should note that is cheaper to buy the printed versions from Scripture Truth rather than from the published. Scripture Truth does sell the CD version(s), but I haven't quite figured out the cost structure.
Having everything on the computer is a huge help. I would then continue to only buy the CD version of the book, then print out and bind a copy into a 3 ring loose leaf binder version.
I also see that POSB has Isaiah (2 vols), Jeremiah & Lamentations (2 vols), and Ezekiah (1 vol) finished in the printed form for $43 each. Therefore the cost would be 5 x $43 for the printed versions of these bible books. The cost for the CD version of Isiah is $58. The cost for the Jeremiah & Lamentation is $58. The cost for Ezekial is $29.
I should point out that the offer I just received doesn't include Isaiah, Jeremiah, Lamentations, or Ezekiah. Therefore I would have to purchase the CD version of these books separately which would probably add $145 to the cost.
I'm going to contact POSB and see if they will design a special price for me to get everything. It would be wonderful to have everything in a 3 ring binder version and on CD.
Here is the next passage of Philip Yancy's book "Prayer" that I wanted to share:
The main purpose of prayer is not to make life easier, nor to gain magical powers, but to know God.
Philip Yancey's book "Prayer - Does It Make Any Difference?" was a good book. Over the next several days, I'll be posting various items from it that I enjoyed and learned from.
Here's the first:
If prayer stands as the place where God and human beings meet, then I must learn about prayer. Most of my struggles in the Christian life circle around the same two themes:why God doesn't act the way we want God to, and why I don't act the way God wants me to. Prayer is the precice point where those themes converge.
Here are a few gems from Rev. E.M. Bound's 11th chapter of his book 'The Essentials of Prayer.' The 11h chapter is called 'Concerted Prayer'. As always, I'm quoting the parts of the chapter that spoke the loudest to me. I did not locate anything in chapter 10 that stood out.
Church discipline, now a lost art in the modern Church, must go hand in hand with prayer, and that the Church which has no disposition to separate wrong doers from the Church, and which has no excommunication spirit for incorrigible offenders against law and order, will have no communication with God. Church purity must precede the Church’s prayers. The unity of discipline in the Church precedes the unity of prayers by the Church.
Let it be noted with emphasis that a Church which is careless of discipline will be careless in praying. A Church which tolerates evil doers in its communion, will cease to pray, will cease to pray with agreement, and will cease to be a Church gathered together in prayer in Christ’s name.
The work of the Church is not alone to seek members but it is to watch over and guard them after they have entered the Church. And if any are overtaken by sin; they must be sought out, and if they cannot be cured of their faults, then excision must take place. This is the doctrine our Lord lays down.
I did not find anything in the last two chapters of this book that stood out.
Here is a gem from Rev. E.M. Bound's 9th chapter of his book 'The Essentials of Prayer.' The 9th chapter is called 'Prayer and a Definite Religious Standard'. As always, I'm quoting the parts of the chapter that spoke the loudest to me.
Commonplace religion is pleasing to flesh and blood. There is no self-denial in it, no cross bearing, no self-crucifixion.
He is referring to what I call 'feel good' religion. It's all over the place in today's world. God's laws are not preached or adhered to in many religions. There are complete religions (not just individual churches) that are 'feel good'. They don't want to step on any toes. They don't talk about 'sin'. Rather, they are a Rodney King type of religion - "Can't we all just get along?"
God gave us, through his word (the bible), our laws to live by. Modern day man does his best to change these so some people don't get their feelings hurt. It's called being politically correct.
I used to have a banner on this blog stating "I'd rather be biblically correct, than politically correct."
The bible isn't politically correct - it's ABSOLUTELY correct.
Here are a few gems from Rev. E.M. Bound's 8th chapter of his book 'The Essentials of Prayer.' The 8th chapter is called 'Prayer & Consecration'. As always, I'm quoting the parts of the chapter that spoke the loudest to me. I found quite a bit of chapters 1-7 to be repetitious; therefore, I'm starting with chapter 8.
Consecration is the voluntary set dedication of one’s self to God, an offering definitely made, and made without any reservation whatever. It is the setting apart of all we are, all we have, and all we expect to have or be, to God first of all. It is not so much the giving of ourselves to the Church, or the mere engaging in some one line of Church work. Almighty God is in view and He is the end of all consecration.
Consecration is not so much the setting one’s self apart from sinful things and wicked ends, but rather it is the separation from worldly, secular and even legitimate things, if they come in conflict with God’s plans, to holy uses. It is the devoting of all we have to God for His own specific use. It is a separation from things questionable, or even legitimate, when the choice is to be made between the things of this life and the claims of God.
A life of prayer naturally leads up to full consecration. It leads nowhere else. In fact, a life of prayer is satisfied with nothing else but an entire dedication of one’s self to God. Consecration recognises fully God’s ownership to us.
As prayer leads up to and brings forth full consecration, so prayer entirely impregnates a consecrated life. The prayer life and the consecrated life are intimate companions. They are Siamese twins, inseparable. Prayer enters into every phase of a consecrated life.
Consecration is really the setting apart of one’s self to a life of prayer. It means not only to pray, but to pray habitually, and to pray more effectually.
Here are a few gems from Rev. E.M. Bound's 14th chapter of his book 'The Necessity of Prayer.' The 14th chapter is called 'Prayer & The House of God '. As always, I'm quoting the parts of the chapter that spoke the loudest to me.
The house of God is a holy place for united worship. The prayer-closet is for individual prayer.
Here are a few gems from Rev. E.M. Bound's 13th chapter of his book 'The Necessity of Prayer.' The 13th chapter is called 'Prayer & The Word of God (cont.)'. As always, I'm quoting the parts of the chapter that spoke the loudest to me.
James recognizes the deep spirituality of the Word, and its inherent saving power, in the following exhortation: “Wherefore, lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls.” And Peter talks along the same line, when describing the saving power of the Word of God:
“Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth forever.”
Prayer invariably begets a love for the Word of God, and sets people to the reading of it. Prayer leads people to obey the Word of God, and puts into the heart which obeys a joy unspeakable. Praying people and Bible-reading people are the same sort of folk. The God of the Bible and the God of prayer are one. God speaks to man in the Bible; man speaks to God in prayer. One reads the Bible to discover God’s will; he prays in order that he may receive power to do that will. Bible-reading and praying are the distinguishing traits of those who strive to know and please God.
Psalm 119 is a directory of God’s Word. With three or four exceptions, each verse contains a word which identifies, or locates, the Word of God. Quite often, the writer breaks out into supplication, several times praying, “Teach me Thy statutes.” So deeply impressed is he with the wonders of God’s Word, and of the need for Divine illumination wherewith to see and understand the wonderful things recorded therein, that he fervently prays:
“Open Thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of Thy law.”From the opening of this wonderful Psalm to its close, prayer and God’s Word are intertwined. Almost every phase of God’s Word is touched upon by this inspired writer. So thoroughly convinced was the Psalmist of the deep spiritual power of the Word of God that he makes this declaration:
“Thy word have I hid in my heart that I might not sin against Thee.”
We find, furthermore, the power of prayer to create a real love for the Scriptures, and to put within men a nature which will take pleasure in the Word.
No man loves the Bible, who does not love to pray. No man loves to pray, who does not delight in the law of the Lord.
Here, let it be said, that no two things are more essential to a spirit-filled life than Bible-reading and secret prayer; no two things more helpful to growth in grace; to getting the largest joy out of a Christian life; toward establishing one in the ways of eternal peace.
Here are a few gems from Rev. E.M. Bound's 12th chapter of his book 'The Necessity of Prayer.' The 12th chapter is called 'Prayer & The Word of God'. As always, I'm quoting the parts of the chapter that spoke the loudest to me.
GOD’S Word is a record of prayer-of praying men and their achievements, of the Divine warrant of prayer and of the encouragement given to those who pray. No one can read the instances, commands, examples, multiform statements which concern themselves with prayer, without realizing that the cause of God, and the success of His work in this world is committed to prayer; that praying men have been God’s vicegerents on earth; that prayerless men have never been used of Him.
As God’s house is called “the house of prayer,” because prayer is the most important of its holy offices; so by the same token, the Bible may be called the Book of Prayer. Prayer is the great theme and content of its message to mankind.
When we consult God’s Word, we find that no duty is more binding, more exacting, than that of prayer.
To know God’s will in prayer, we must be filled with God’s Spirit, who maketh intercession for the saints, and in the saints, according to the will of God. To be filled with God’s Spirit, to be filled with God’s Word, is to know God’s will. It is to be put in such a frame of mind, to be found in such a state of heart, as will enable us to read and interpret aright the purposes of the Infinite. Such filling of the heart, with the Word and the Spirit, gives us an insight into the will of the Father, and enables us to rightly discern His will, and puts within us, a disposition of mind and heart to make it the guide and compass of our lives.
Here are a few gems from Rev. E.M. Bound's 11th chapter of his book 'The Necessity of Prayer.' The 11th chapter is called 'Prayer & Vigilance'. As always, I'm quoting the parts of the chapter that spoke the loudest to me.
It cannot be stated too frequently that the life of a Christian is a warfare, an intense conflict, a lifelong contest. It is a battle, moreover, waged against invisible foes, who are ever alert, and ever seeking to entrap, deceive, and ruin the souls of men.
From E.M. Bounds - Book 1 - The Necessity of Prayer - Chapter 9 & 10 - Prayer & Obedience
But can we keep all of God's commandments? Can a man receive moral ability such as enable him to obey every one of them? Certainly he can. By every token, man can, through prayer, obtain ability to do this very thing.
Does God give commandments which men cannot obey? Is he so arbitrary, so sever, so unloving, as to issue commandments which cannot be obeyed? The answer is that in all of the annals of Holy Scripture, not a single instance is recorded of God having commanded any man to do a thing, which was beyond his power.
Far be it from our heavenly Father, to demand impossibilites of his children.
It is really much easier to please him than to please men. Moreover, we may know when we please Him. This is the witness of the Spirit - the inward divine assurance, given to all the children of God that they are doing their Father's will, and that their ways are well-pleasing in his sight.
God's commandments are righteous and founded in justice and wisdom. God's commendments, then, can be obeyed by all who seek supplies of grace which enable them to obey. These commandments must be obeyed.
An obedient life helps prayer. It speeds prayer to the throne. God cannot help hearing the prayer of an obedient child.
If you have an earnest desire to pray well, you must learn how to obey well. If you have a desire to learn to pray, then you must have an earnest desire to learn how to do God's will. If you desire to pray to God, you must first have a consuming desire to obey him.
He who would pray, must obey. He who would get anything out of his prayers, must be in perfect harmony with God.
An obedient life is a great help to prayer.
Our Lord Jesus Christ, 'holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners,' had full liberty of approach and ready access to God in prayer. And he had this free and full access because of his unquestioning obedience to his Father.
Loving obedience puts us where we can 'ask anything in his name,' with the assurance, that 'He will do it.'
This obedience which not only qualifes but foreruns prayer, must be lving, constant, always doing the Father's will, and cheerfully following the path of God's commands.
A righteous man is an obedient man, and he it is, who can pray effectually, who can accomplish great things when he betakes himself to his knees.
Prayer is not a mere form of words, it is not just calling upon a name. Prayer is obedience.
If the will of God does not master the life, the praying will be nothing but sickly sentiment. If prayer does not inspire, sanctify and direct our work, then self-will enters, to ruin both work and worker.
Whee the spirit of obedience fully impregnates the soul; where the will is perfectly surrended to God; where there is a fixed, unalterable purpose to obey God, faither almost believes itself. The difficulity in prayer is not with faither, but with obedience, which is faith's foundation.
The lack of obedience in our lives breaks down our praying.
The will must be surrendered to God as a primary condition of all successful praying.
From E.M. Bounds - Book 1 - The Necessity of Prayer - Chapters 8- Prayer and Character and Conduct
Below are the sentences that jumped off the page at me:
Prayer helps to establish character and fashion conduct, and both for their successful continuance depend on prayer.
The more we pray, the better we are, the purer and better our lives.
In Christ's teachings, it is not simply works of charity and deeds of mercy upon which he insists, but inward spiritual character.
The Christian religion deals with men who are devoid of spiritual character, and unholy in life, and aims so to change them, that they become holy in heart and righteous in life. It aims to change bad men into good men; it deals with inward badness, and works to change it into inward goodness. And it is just here where prayer enters and demonstrates its wonderful power and fruit. In fact, without prayer, no such supernatural change in moral character, can ever be effected.
Prayer and sinning cannot keep company with each other. One or the other must of necessity stop. Get men to pray, and they will quit sinning, because prayer creates a distate for sinning, and so works upon the heart, that evil-doing becomes repugnant, and the entire nature is lifted to a reverent contemplation of high and holy things.
Bad living means bad parying and, in the end, no praying at all.
Feebleness of living reflects its debility and languor in the praying hours. We simply cannot talk to God, strongly, intimately, and confidently unless we are living for him, faithfully, and truly.
The most effecting preaching, is not that which is heard from the pulpit, but that which is proclaimed quietly, humbly, and consistently; which exhibits its excellencies in the home, and in the community. Examples preaches a far more effective sermon than precept. The best preaching, even in the pulpit, is that which is fortified by godly living, in the preacher himself.
Praying, which does not result in right thinking and right living, is a farce.
Cold, formal praying may exist side by side, with bad conduct, but such praying, in the estimation of God, is no praying at all.
Praying must come out of a clensed heart and be presented and urged with the 'lifting up of holy hands'. It must be fortified by a life aiming, unceasingly, to obey God, to attain conformity to the divine law, and to come into submission to the divine will.
Prayer promotes righteous living, and is the one great aid to uprightness of heart and life. The fruit of real praying is right living.
The following spoke to me the most:
The most effecting preaching, is not that which is heard from the pulpit, but that which is proclaimed quietly, humbly, and consistently; which exhibits its excellencies in the home, and in the community. Examples preaches a far more effective sermon than precept. The best preaching, even in the pulpit, is that which is fortified by godly living, in the preacher himself.
I never thought of my father as a preacher, but, in a way he was just that. Dad never gave a sermon, but probably did more good by living a good, clean life. In my eulogy I said my father was a classic example of 'actions speak louder than words.'
That is exactly what I thought when reading this passage. This chapter about Prayer and Conduct and Character really spoke to me.
From E.M. Bounds - Book 1 - The Necessity of Prayer - Chapters 6 & 7- Prayer & Importunity
Below are the sentences that jumped off the page at me:
Importunate prayer is a mightly movement of the soul towards God. It is a stirring of the deepest forces of the soul, toward the throne of heavenly grace.
Virtually, it is the intercession of the Spirit of God, in us; it is moreover, 'the effectual, fervent prayer, which availeth much.' The diving Spirit informing every element within us, with the energy of his own striving, is the essence of the importunity which urges our praying at the mercy seat, to continue until the fire falls and the blessing descends.
Nothing distinguishes the children of God so clearly and strongly as prayer. It is the one infallible mark and test of being a Christian. Christian people are prayerful, the worldly-minded, prayerless. But even the Christian had need to cultivate continual prayer. Prayer must be habitual, but much more than a habit. It is duty, yet one which rises far above, and goes beyound the ordinary implications of the term.
It has everything to do with bringing the soul into complete communion with God. That man cannot possibly be called a Christian, who does not pray. By no possible pretext can he claim any right to the term, nor its implied significance. If he does not pray, he is a sinner, pure and simple, for prayer is the only way in which the sould of man can enter into fellowship and communion with the source of all Christlike spirit and energy. Hence, if he prays not, he is not of the household of the faithful.
Many night during his earthly life did the blessed Savior spend in prayer. In Gethsemane he presented the same petition, three times, with unabated, urgent,yet submissive importunity, which involved every element of his soul and issued in tears and bloody sweat. His life crises were distinctly marked, his life victories all won, in hours of importunate prayer. And the servant is not greater than his Lord.
The tenor of Christ's teachings, is to declare that men are to pray earnestly - to pray with an earnestness that cannot be denied. Energy, courage, and persistent perseverance must back the prayers which heaven respects, and God hears.
Laxity, faintheartedness, impatience, timidity will be fatal to our prayers.
Importunate praying is the earnest, inward movement of the heart toward God. It is the throwing of the entire force of the spiritual man into the exercise of prayer.
Forcelss prayers have no power to overcome difficulties, no power to win marked results, or to gain complete victories. We must win God, ere we can win our plea.
Importunate praying has patience to wait and strength to continue. It never prepares itself to quite praying, and declines to rise from its knees until an answer is received.
"Ask, and ye shall receive. Seek, and ye shall find. Knock, and it shall be opened unto you." These are the ringing challenges of our Lord in regard to prayer, and his intimation that true praying must stay, and advance in effort and urgency, till prayer is answered, and the blessing sought, received. In the three words ask, seek, knock, in the order in which he places them, Jesus urges the necessity of importunity in prayer. Asking, seeking, knocking, are ascending rounds in the ladder of successful prayer.
We have need, too, to give thought to that mysterious fact of prayer - the certainly that there will be delays, denials, and seeming failures, in connection with its exercise. We are to prepare for these, to brook these, and cease not in our urgent praying.
Here are a few gems from Rev. E.M. Bound's fifth chapter of his book 'The Necessity of Prayer.' The first chapter is called 'Prayer & Fervency'. As always, I'm quoting the parts of the chapter that spoke the loudest to me.
God wants warmhearted servants. The Holy Spirit comes as a fire, to dwell in us; we are to be baptized, with the Holy Spirit and with Fire. Fervency is warmth of soul. If our religion does not set us on fire, it is because we have frozen hearts. God dwells in a flame; the Holy Spirit descends in fire. To be absorbed in God's will, to be so greatly in earnest about doing it that our whole being takes fire, is the qualifying condition of the man who would engage in effectual prayer.
Here are a few passages from Rev. E.M. Bound's fourth chapter in his book 'The Necessity of Prayer.'
The fourth chapter is called 'Prayer & Desire'.
Nothing short of being red hot for God, can keep the glow of heaven in our hearts, these chilly days. The early Methodists had no heating apparatus in their churches. They declared that the flame in the pew and the fire in the pulpit must siffice to keep them warm.
Ardent desire is the basis of unceasing prayer.
God draws mightily near to the praying soul. To see God, to know God, and to live for God - these form the objective of all true praying. Thus praying is, after all, inspired to seek after God.
I've just finished Dutch Sheets' book "Intercessory Prayer". This book was highly recommended by various Christian website.
I'm not trying to knock the book, but it didn't do much for me. I read part of it a few years ago and picked it up the other day. I always highlight in yellow, those areas I want to go back and look at again. As I thumbed through the book, I realized I had almost nothing highlighted.
Picking up where I left off I continued to read and found I just wasn't highlighting much. While others might find a wealth of information in the pages, I honestly didn't.
Here is what I highlighted:
We don't wait well. We're into microwaving; God, on the other hand, is usually into marinating.
I did find that part very interesting and enlightening. In our modern age, we expect things faster.
Years ago you would send a letter, then wait a few weeks for an answer. Then the telegraph came along with the ability to contact people faster. The phone was next. Then fax machines.
Now we have email, cell phones, and even instant messaging with the ability to contact anyone regardless of where they are. In doing so, we expect immediate conversation immediate reaction, and immediate results.
God does not work like that.
Here are a few gems from Rev. E.M. Bound's third chapter of his book 'The Necessity of Prayer.' The third chapter is called 'Prayer & Trust'. As always, I'm quoting the parts of the chapter that spoke the loudest to me.
“Have faith in God,” “Trust in the Lord” form the keynote and foundation of prayer. Primarily, it is not trust in the Word of God, but rather trust in the Person of God. For trust in the Person of God must precede trust in the Word of God. “Ye believe in God, believe also in Me,” is the demand our Lord makes on the personal trust of His disciples.
Trust is not a belief that God can bless, that He will bless, but that He does bless, here and now. Trust always operates in the present tense. Hope looks toward the future. Trust looks to the present. Hope expects. Trust possesses.
Here are a few gems from Rev. E.M. Bound's second chapter of his book 'The Necessity of Prayer.' The second chapter is called 'Prayer & Faith (cont.)'. As always, I'm quoting the parts of the chapter that spoke the loudest to me.
Faith is not believing just anything; it is believing God, resting in Him, trusting His Word.
Faith grows by reading and meditating upon the Word of God. Most, and best of all, faith thrives in an atmosphere of prayer.
The work of the ministry is to change unbelieving sinners into praying and believing saints.
“By grace are ye saved, through faith.” Thus, when we contemplate the great importance of prayer, we find faith standing immediately by its side.
Here are a few gems from Rev. E.M. Bound's first chapter of his book 'The Necessity of Prayer.' The first chapter is called 'Prayer & Faith'. As always, I'm quoting the parts of the chapter that spoke the loudest to me.
Prayer projects faith on God, and God on the world. Only God can move mountains, but faith and prayer move God.
At this point in our study, we turn to a saying of our Lord, which there is need to emphasize, since it is the very keystone of the arch of faith and prayer. “Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.”
Faith does not grow disheartened because prayer is not immediately honoured; it takes God at His Word, and lets Him take what time He chooses in fulfilling His purposes, and in carrying on His work.
True prayers are born of present trials and present needs. Bread, for today, is bread enough. Bread given for today is the strongest sort of pledge that there will be bread tomorrow. Victory today, is the assurance of victory tomorrow. Our prayers need to be focused upon the present, We must trust God today, and leave the morrow entirely with Him. The present is ours; the future belongs to God. Prayer is the task and duty of each recurring day-daily prayer for daily needs.
As every day demands its bread, so every day demands its prayer. No amount of praying, done today, will suffice for tomorrow’s praying.
This is the faith which God seeks to inspire. So leave tomorrow, with its cares, its needs, its troubles, in God’s hands.
Jim Bishop wrote "The Day Christ Was Born" and "The Day Christ Died".
I read both of them about 25 years ago. I've just ordered both of them for Nora to read.
Mr. Bishop also wrote "The Day Lincoln Was Shot" and "The Day Kennedy Was Shot". I'm pretty sure I read the Kennedy book.
I've been in touch with the staff at POSB this past week on a few different issues.
It appears that Psalms & Proverbs will be the final two sections of the bible that will be completed.
While there is no real timeline at present, the estimate from POSB is four to five years.
It looks like the Preachers Outline & Sermon Bible has added a few more books of the bible since I last visited their website earlier in the year.
While the photo pictured shows their Classic Set, which is their most elegant best value. I like the individual 3 ring binder volumes. Pictures is the 3 vol New Testament set which is quite lovely. I just like the idea of the binder method even though it takes up quite a bit more space.
After all, you're not going to be carrying the 3 vol NT set around with you. It's going to sit in one place.
As mentioned before, I have the 14 vol NT 3 ring binder set, plus the first 5 books of the Old Testament (which is another 7 binders). Their still working their way through the Old Testament, so let's take a look at where they are. After the first 5 books they've completed:
Joshua
Judges - Ruth (in one volume)
1 Samuel
2 Samuel
1 Kings
2 Kings
1 Chronicles
2 Chronicles
Ezra - Nehemiah - Ester (in one volume)
Isaiah (2 volumes)
Jerimiah (2 volumes)
Ezekiel
Daniel (coming soon)
Hosea (coming soon)
As you can see they've jumped around a little bit. While it doesn't say it, I'll assume that Daniel will be two volumes like some of the other books.
Looks like we're still waiting on Job, Psalms, & Proverbs. Also, Ecclesiates and Song of Solomon (which might be combined into 1 volume). Then there is Lamentations, plus all of the books after Hosea (Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Jonah, Micah, Nahum, Hababkkuk, Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah, & Malachi.)
I'm looking forward to Psalms and Proverbs, two of my favorite books. Its possible there will be more than one volume for Psalms and possibly for Proverbs. I'll get them as they are released.
Each volume is $42.99 from the publisher, Outline Bible Resources Of course, they are available at a discounted rate from Scripture Truth for $28.95 each.
I paid a total of $607.95 for the 21 volumes I now own. The was the entire NT (14 loose leaf binders) + the Pentateuch (first 5 books of the OT in 7 volumes).
Proverbs is one of my favorite books of the bible. While there is mention of Solomon's name in Proverbs 1:1, this does not mean that Solomon was the author. King Solomon was considered a very wise man. It could be that while he didn't write the book, most of the proverbs could be attributed to him.
Proverbs is not a long book, especially when you break it down into its 31 chapters. It is interesting that many months contain 31 days.
Therefore many people read a chapter of proverbs every day. You just look at the calendar to see what chapter you read on any given day.
Since the chapters aren't that long, on months with only 28, 29, or 30 days, you just read the extra chapters at the end of the book.
I prefer to read the King James Version of the bible, when reading Psalms and Proverbs. While some of the other translations are easier to read; the King James has a beauty that really stands out in Psalms and Proverbs.
This is a followup to this previous posting.
I just heard back from the Scripture Truth Book Company. They advise that it is the King James Version that is being offered at that price.
This is the lowest price by far, that I have seen advertised for the Preacher's Outline & Sermon Bible.
Prayer - Does It Make Any Difference by Phillip Yancy, has been on my 'wish list' for some time. I've just ordered it from ChristianBooks.com.
I am building a nice collection of Christian books including various study bibles, bible commentaries, books on various books of the bible (i.e. Matthew), and a few other books. I have a few books on prayer, with Rev. E.M. Bounds collected works at the top of this list.
Here is what the publisher says about this book:
In his most powerful book since What's So Amazing about Grace? and The Jesus I Never Knew, Yancey probes the most fundamental, challenging, perplexing, and deeply rewarding aspect - the very heartbeat - of your relationship with God: prayer. In theory, prayer is the essential human act, a priceless point of contact between you and the God of the universe. In practice however, prayer is often frustrating, confusing, and fraught with mystery. Prayer: Does It Make Any Difference? explores the mysterious intersection where you and God meet and relate. Writing as a fellow pilgrim, Yancey explores the questions surrounding prayer that you may wonder about but not know how to express. Above all, Yancey shows you how to pray to a God who sees what lies ahead of you, knows what lies within you, and who invites you into an eternal partnership with Him - through prayer.
I'll review this book after I read it.
All three customer reviews give it 5 stars out of 5 stars.
The one customer writes:
Yancey here departs from an instructional approach to prayer common to many authors, and focuses instead on a conversational approach with the reader. He begins by identifying our longing to interact with God, and then proceeds to tackle a few of the nagging questions on prayer. Why should I pray? Does it make any difference? Does prayer change God? After sharing his own struggles with these issues, he moves to describing the language of prayer. Again he is not instructional here but conversational, sharing insights he has learned with the reader. His next section addresses the deep heart-rending dilemmas of prayer, such as unanswered prayers in general, and unanswered prayers for healing in particular. He finishes by focusing on the daily habits of prayer in the life of a disciple of Jesus Christ. I am a Yancey fan, and this title doesn't disappoint. For anyone wanting to walk alongside a great author as he shares his heart on prayer, I highly recommend this volume.
I keep going back to my father's death. I go for a few days and feel stronger than before, then I have a bad day.
Around the first of this year I felt, that I had returned to my old form. The bad days were getting fewer and far between. I assumed I was doing much better. I had returned to bible study and was feeling much better. I was starting to cope with my father's death.
It was about the first of this year (about 3 weeks ago), that I started posting on my other blog. I began posting about political and social items and began my usual satire, attacking pieces.
Until that point, I was studying the bible nearly every day; many days I got up between 3:30 - 4:30 AM and spent a good hour on bible study before getting ready for work. I remember feeling calmer then. I've lost that calmness.
The fact that it's been 3 full weeks since the last posting on my bible study blog shows that I've failed in many respects.
The other night, I sat down at the computer and looked at my personal blog again. Then I looked at the photo of my father next to my computer. I kept going back and forth. While my father read all of the pieces I wrote, I'm sure he was certainly embarrased by some of things I said and items I posted.
As a writer of satire, it is your job to take 'true' items to the extreme. You don't just mention something that might not be proper, you enhance it, mock it, embellish it, and take it to the extreme and to the point of nonsense. That's satire writing, which most people don't understand. People who are not students of satire, don't really understand what you are doing. They think you are a nut case, an advocate of revolution, a racist, a sexist, or any number of other negative descriptions. In their eyes you are just that, even if, in your heart, you really don't believe everything you've written. Satire is a different type of writing; I suppose I'm not that good at it.
A few examples - I've always gone after Bill & Hillary Clinton, Ted Kennedy, Jesse Jackson, and Al Sharpton. With satire writing you carry everything to the extreme. Bill's extramaritial affairs, Hillary's just plain meanness, Ted Kennedy situation with Mary Jo, Jesse & Al's not receiving religious degree (but proclaiming themselve ministers), their constant grabbing of a microphone and self promotion, their leaning on corporate America. In satire writing, the writer carries everything to the 'n'th degree. You don't let anything slide. Whenever Kennedy does anything you tie in the Mary Jo incident. Whenever Jesse does anything you bring up the fact that he never graduated from a bible college and bring up his illegitimate daughter. That's what satire writing is. I'm though with it.
Do I truly believe that the above mentioned people are really 'bad'? Certainly not. While I disagree with many of the things they've done and said, they are not bad people. Bill Clinton did much for this country as President. Hillary and Kennedy truly care about the people of this land. They might have a different perspective on how to achieve things than I do, but they are not bad people.
Jesse & Al care about people and their souls. While I've been quick to judge them in my satirical writtings, I've never written about how many people they've brought to God. I don't know the figure, but I do more than it's more than I have. From a religious point of view, they've certainly done more than I. I commend them on that.
Jimmy Carter is another example. I've always felt he's cared more about people than any other president I've seen. I stand by my opinion that he should not have used Coretta King's funeral as a bully pulpit to bash the current President. That was wrong. He should have only talked about how Mrs. King was so much a lady, a real inspiration to everyone in this country. He should have only talked about the accomplishments of her husband, a man whom I've always admired. Dr. King was a great speaker and made you think. Jimmy Carter will have to account for what he did, and I'll have to account for what I've done in my life. We all have to account for everything when we die.
I've decided to return to bible study and to genealogy. They will be my outlets. I need to worry about myself, my life, my actions, my thoughts, my speech, my relationship with God. My time is better spent working on improving myself, not pointing out what I perceive as shortcomings of others through the writing of satire. That really shouldn't be my place. Life should be about improving yourself, not attacking or going after those things you see wrong in others. It is not our place to judge others, even though everyone does this all the time.
We've all made mistakes and I'm included in that list. The big question after making mistakes is what do we do to correct them? For me it's a return to bible study and the removal of the personal blog. Time on this planet is short. I should be doing something more constructive. I should be building things up, not tearing others down.
I kept thinking about my telling my father that I wanted to be more like him. While for the first 2 1/2 months after his death, I was making efforts to be like him; I realized that suddenly I had abandoned that goal. I was ashamed of that fact.
Therefore, I have removed my old personal blog and have put this bible study blog in it's place. This blog has been in existance for a few months now, in another location on the website. I've just transferred it over as my main blog. I'll be slowly changing this blog around to include some personal and other items. It won't remain strictly a bible study blog. I could have kept this blog in its original place and have just reworked the personal blog, but I decided not to. I wanted nothing to do with the old blog. I didn't even want to rework it.
I didn't stay true to the promise I made my father, falling short over the last few weeks. I'm sorry Dad.
Time spent blogging can be better spent that what I've done recently. I can be reading and studying the bible, working hard to apply everything to my personal life. I can be posting bible study items that can help everyone. This can come in the form of a verse I've read in the bible, a passage from a book, or part of a sermon or teaching I've heard. I can be doing genealogy research and writing in that area. I can be helping others and helping myself.
That's what I'm going to do. I've picked up my book 'E.M. Bounds On Prayer' and will start reading it again, applying the lessons within to my heart. I intend to spend time listening to Harold Camping's 'Open Forum' radio show. I also intend to spend time listening to several lectures from Mark Moore.
Rush Limbaugh, Mark Levin, and Michael Savage radio shows are being replaced by the AllWorship.com radio stream for Praise & Worship. Fox News & CNN will be replaced by other programming. The Conservative Chronicle will be replaced by the bible.
Scouring the internet for articles about something that the Clintons, Kennedy, or the others have done will be replaced by a return to genealogy. I have something to contribute to the genealogy research field, especially in the Orrell and related families. My many articles, books, and CD collections proved to be something worthwhile to help others with their own genealogy research. It has a positive, not negative effect as the personal blog did.
That's what I need to concentrate on - the positive. Concentrate on the bible, it's teachings, and applying it to my personal life is a far better way of spending my time. Becoming a better person is the ultimate goal. Striving to be a better husband, son, father, grandfather, friend, neighbor, co-worker, and citizen should be the only goal in my life. Helping others interested in genealogy research is a positive, not negative pursuit. It is those items that I'm returning to.
This has been a difficult entry to write. Admitting your shortcomings, weaknesses, and flaws on a blog for the world to see, is not easy.
Asking for forgivness is not easy; but I'm doing just that. Asking for others to pray that I continue on a better path is what I'm asking for - a postive path, not a negative path. A path filled with praying for others, praying for forgiveness, and praying for a better world.
Regardless of your individual religion - your God, wants just that.
I have a TV in my office. The news just came on. The same old stuff. I now have the same feeling that I had a few months ago, shortly after my father died. I just can't watch the news shows anymore. They ran down a list of candidates for the 2008 elections. I turned the TV to another channel. I just can't watch that stuff anymore. I don't care what any of the politicians are doing anymore. I've again lost all interest in politics and what's going on in the world.
In many respects this blog entry is like prayer; it's like confession. It is good for the soul and I feel better having written it.
When I stopped my bible study I was in the 15th chapter of Matthew. Isn't it fitting that as I open my bible, back to the point at which I stopped my study, I come upon the verse below?
Matthew: 15:11: 'Not that which goeth into the mouth defileth a man; but that which cometh out of the mouth, this defileth a man."
Pastor Jim Cymbala of the Brooklyn Tabernacle states in his Forward to the Complete Works of E.M. Bounds on Prayer, the following: No write outside of scripture ever said more in short powerful sentences that E.M. Bounds. In our present day of spiritual murkiness and bland sermonizing from the Bible, we need to listen again to the fiery clarity of this prophet of prayer.
He then gives the following example.
Nothing distingushes the children of God so clearly and strongly as prayer. It is the one infalible mark and test of being a Christian. Christian people are prayerful the worldly-minded, prayerless. Christians call on God; wholdlings ignore God, and call not on his name. Prayer is the expression of a relation to God, a yearning for divine communion. It is the outward and upward flow of the inward life toward its original fountain. It is an assertion of the soul's paternity, a claiming of the sonship which links man to be eternal.
Pastor Cymbala then goes on to say, "Reading E.M. Bounds is like coming near a blazing fire on a cold winter night - you either stand near to enjoy its warmth or move away because the flame seems too much to bear."
He also pointed out a few other things about E.M. Bounds:
Bounds was a Chaplain in the Confederate Army, comforting and praying with troops under General John Bell Hood. He typically arose at four o'clock every morning to be along with God in prayer, usually praying until seven o'clock. He spent the final nineteen years of his life engaged in intercessory prayer, writing, and revivial ministry. At the time of his death, only two of E.M. Bound's books had been published.
Here are some of the things that Rev. Bounds wrote, that I would like to share.
Faith does not grow disheartened because prayer is not immediately honored; it takes God at his Word, and lets him take what time he chooses in fulfilling his purposes, and in carrying on his work.
True prayers are born of present trials and present needs. Bread, for today, is bread enough. Bread given for today is the strongest sort of pledge that there will be bread tomorrow. Victory today, is the assurance of victory tomorrow. Our prayers need to be focused upon the present. We must trust God today, and leave the morrow entirely with him. The present is ours; the future belongs to God. Prayer is the task and duty of each recurring day - daily prayer for daily needs. As every day demands its bread, so every day demands its prayer. No amount of praying, done today, will suffice for tomorrow's praying. This is the faith which God seeks to inspire. So leave tomorrow, with its cares, its needs, its troubles, in God's hands.
LI>Faith is not believing just anything; it is believing God, resting in him, trusting his Word.
Currently, I'm just beginning the third chapter of E.M. Bound's book number one - The Neccessity of Prayer.
I'll continue to post my favorite parts on subsequent entries.
I've just come across another source for the Preacher's Outline & Sermon Bible. Scripture Truth Book Company has a fantastic price on the loose leaf style version.
You can buy the complete 14 volume New Testament set directly from the publisher's website at a cost of $42.99 each or $514.99 for the set. To this you must add $54.95 in shipping and handling. Total cost for the NT set would be $569.94 from the publisher.
However, at Scripture Truth Book Company, the 14 volume loose leaf set costs $28.95 each, which totals $405.30. The great news is that there is no shipping or handling for orders over $100. Therefore $405.30 is your total price.
That's a savings of $164.64 !
Let's go one step further. If you wanted to order the 14 volume New Testament set, plus the 7 volume Old Testament Pentateuch (Gen-Deut), the cost is $764.98 for the 21 volumes, plus $94.90 shipping, for a total of $859.88 (from the publisher).
However, if you order the same items from the Scripture Truth Book Company, the cost is $28.95 for each loose leaf volume (21 volumes in all) for a total of $607.95. Since no shipping is added to the price, your total cost is $607.95, which is a savings of $163.05.
Another way of looking at it is this - for $607.95 you get (in the loose leaf format) the entire 14 set of the NT, plus the 7 set Pentateuch NT set from Scripture Truth Bible Company.
For $569.94 (only $38.01 less), you would only get the 14 volume New Testament see (loose leaf format) from the publisher.
I am only unsure of one thing. The Preacher's Outline & Sermon Bible comes in either the King James version or the NIV. Both are available from the publisher's website.
I am unable to tell from the Scripture Truth Book Company's website, which translation they are selling.
I'd rather purchase the KJV; however, at the price of $607.95, I'd 'make' myself get by with the NIV.
On another note, Scripture Truth Book Company also has the 3 volume hardbound New Testament set available for $224.99. That is a fantastic price as no shipping and handling would be added. At ChristianBooks.com, you would pay $279.99 for the set, plus $22.40 shipping, for a total of $302.49. That's a $77.50 savings right there. From the publisher, you would pay $339.99 plus $18.95 shipping, for a total of $358.94. That's a difference of $133.95 between the publisher and Scripture Truth Book Company.
Whether you would buy the individual paperback versions, the 3 volume hard bound version, or the loose leaf version, you'd be making a good investment with the collection, regardless of the translation you buy. (NOTE: NIV version is always slightly higher than the KJV).
A 3 volume hardbound set is very convenient. You'd have the entire New Testament collection in a smaller package. It comes in a slipcase for a very nice presentation.
However, there is a lot to be said for the loose leaf version. As you come across other related items, you can just xerox, 3 hole punch the copies, then place directly into the loose leaf. It makes it a little more convenient, from my way of thinking.
I'll advise when I hear back from Scripture Truth Book Company as to the translation they are selling at that price. All prices quote above are for the KJV. If the Scripture Truth Book Company is selling the NIV version at that price, the savings would be even more.
Currently I'm reading E.M. Bounds complete works on prayer. It is a fantastic book. Actually, it is a collection of all of his books including:
Power Through Prayer
The Possibilities of Prayer
The Reality of Prayer
The Weapon of Prayer His full name is Edward McKendree Bounds. Here is a short bio:
Edward McKendree Bounds (1835-1913)
E. M. Bounds was a Methodist Pastor around the time of the American Civil War. At the age of 58, and for the next nineteen years (till he went home to be with the Lord at age 77), he started and continued to write books. The rest of his time was spent in intercessory prayer and in an itinerant revival ministry. It is said that he prayed daily from 4 A.M. to 7 A.M. before he would begin work on his writings.
E. M. Bounds was born in Missouri in 1835. He studied deeply in the scriptures, and was greatly inspired by the writings of John Wesley. At the age of twenty-four he felt called to be a preacher, and became pastor of a small Methodist congregation in Monticello, Missouri.
In 1861 he was arrested by Union troops, and held with other non-combatants in a Federal prison for a year and a half. Released after a year and a half in a prisoner trade, he became a Chaplain with the Confederacy. After the war, he became Associate Editor of the Christian Advocate. This was the official weekly paper for the entire Methodist Episcopal Church.
Thus far, I'm only about 25 pages into his first book. I find that he writes very clearly in short, powerful sentences. His writing is very easy to understand. He has the ability to drive his point home very clearly.
Here is a sample of his writing:
The character of the inner life is a condition of effectual praying. As is the life, so will the praying be. An inconsistent life obstructs praying and neutralizes what little praying we may do. Always, it is "the prayer of the righteous man which availeth much." Indeed, one may go further and assert, that it is only the prayer of the righteous which avails anything at all -- at any time. To have an eye to God's glory; to be possessed by an earnest desire to please Him in all our ways; to possess hands busy in His service; to have feet swift to run in the way of His commandments -- these give weight and influence and power to prayer, and secure an audience with God. The incubus of our lives often breaks the force of our praying, and, not unfrequently, are as doors of brass, in the face of prayer.Praying must come out of a cleansed heart and be presented and urged with the "lifting up of holy hands." It must be fortified by a life aiming, unceasingly, to obey God, to attain conformity to the Divine law, and to come into submission to the Divine will.
Let it not be forgotten, that, while life is a condition of prayer, prayer is also the condition of righteous living. Prayer promotes righteous living, and is the one great aid to uprightness of heart and life. The fruit of real praying is right living. Praying sets him who prays to the great business of "working out his salvation with fear and trembling;" puts him to watching his temper, conversation and conduct; causes him to "walk circumspectly, redeeming the time;" enables him to "walk worthy of the vocation wherewith he is called, with all lowliness and meekness;" gives him a high incentive to pursue his pilgrimage consistently by "shunning every evil way, and walking in the good."
I've spent the past week thinking about what I'm going to do regarding bible study. Bible study is something I do enjoy. Registration at Arlington Bible College starts next week.
I have decided not to enroll this semester for the following reasons:
1. Time restraints - My 'free' time has dwindled since my father's death. I no longer have most Saturdays and Sundays free. In the past I would generally spend both days reading, writing, working on the computer, or researching genealogy. I'd try to go over to see my parents every other week for a few hours. Since my son moved to PA, I wouldn't see him that much.
My father's death and my grandson's birth has changed all of that. I want to spend time with my mother and, of course, I want to go to PA to see my son and family. Sadly, I should have been doing more of this all along. I was not spending enough time with my family. I'm ashamed of that fact as I can never go back and recapture the time that I lost. I was selfish, keeping my free time to only myself. Currently, I'm really enjoying being with my mother more. Nora and I love going to see her and taking her out somewhere. It is a pleasure, not a duty.
2. I have no formal bible study background. I've never attended church on a regular basis for more than a year at a time. I would only engage in a bible study program for a month or so at a time. I'm at a tremendous disadvantage with the other students in this respect. Of course my age doesn't help. I'm exhausted when I come home every night from work. Pushing 58, I lack the motivation to go back out any evening to spend 3 hours in class.
There just isn't any way I'd be able to find the time to put in 5 or 6 hours per week of study. We still have the home in West Virginia and want to spend some time there. While there, we have things we have to do. It's not like I can go there, sit back, and study the bible.
I certainly don't want to spend $300 or $600 on courses, then drop out during the semester.
For now, I will continue to study the bible at my own pace. I still enjoy getting up early during the week and studying the bible. I'll study the bible at night and on weekends when I can; however, my priorities have shifted to my family.
I'm thinking that when I retire and have more time, I'll revisit going to bible college. Also, there still is the possibility of taking a bible study program via another source.
I just learned the Family Radio has their own School of the Bible. Details below:
Associate of Religious Education Degree
The 2-year Associate of Religious Education degree is designed for home study through correspondence courses. Upon successful completion of the 66 unit degree program, with a 'C' average or higher, the student will be awarded the degree. This program is designed to give each student a good understanding of the Old Testament, New Testament, Biblical counseling, theology, and a beginning understanding of Biblical languages.
One of the key components of this program is Biblical counseling through practical theology. This series is very helpful in learning to disciple others.
Old and New Testament survey courses, coupled with surveys of individual books, will give the student a good overview of the purpose and focus of each book of the Bible.
Students will also be introduced to the original Hebrew and Greek languages of the Bible. This is extremely important for illuminating the scriptures through individual word studies.
Curriculum for the Associate of Religious Education Degree - 2 years
Semester 1: 11 units
ENT 112 - The Gospel of Mark, Ch. 1-8, 3 units
ENT 142 - I Corinthians, Ch. 1-8, 3 units
PBT 101 - Practical Biblical Theology: The Christian Character, 3 units
THE 100 - Doctrines of Grace, 2 units
Semester 2: 11 units
ENT 113 - The Gospel of Mark, Ch. 9-16, 3 units
ENT 143 - I Corinthians, Ch. 9-16, 3 units
PBT 102 - Christian Growth, 3 units
THE 101 - Principles of Bible Study, 2 units
Semester 3: 10.5 units
EOT 160 - Hosea, 3 units
ENT 100 - New Testament Survey, 3 units
LS 101a,b - Elementary Greek, 1.5 units
PBT 103 - Christian Conflicts, 3 units
Semester 4: 12.5 units
ENT 101 - New Testament Survey II, 3 units
EOT 100 - Old Testament Survey I, 3 units
LS 101c - Elementary Greek, 1.5 units
PBT 104 - Christian Behavior, 3 units
THE 112 - The Timing of Christ's Coming, 2 units
Semester 5: 10.5 units
ENT 140 - Romans, Ch. 1-11, 3 units
EOT 101 - Old Testament Survey II, 3 units
LS 120a - Elementary Hebrew, 1.5 units
THE 110 - Israel in Prophecy I, 3 units
Semester 6: 10.5 units
ENT 141 - Romans, Ch. 12-23, 3 units
ENT 144 - Galatians, 3 units
LS 120b - Elementary Hebrew, 1.5 units
THE 111 - Israel in Prophecy II, 3 units
Bible Certificate Program
In this program, students can study the Bible with us for one year and receive a Bible certificate upon satisfactory completion of the required curriculum.
Curriculum for the Bible Certificate Program - 1 year
First Year
The Bible Certificate Program includes all associate degree courses excluding Theology (THE) 100 through 112.
Spiritual Enrichment Program
The Spiritual Enrichment Program is designed for those who wish to study the Bible through Family Radio School of the Bible, but whose schedule will not permit them to take a full academic load. Students admitted to the program may take any course and any number of courses offer by the school. A certificate of completion will be issued to the student after the fulfilling all course requirements in a topical series. These completed courses can then be transferred into the A.R.E. degree program of Bible Certificate Program towards class prerequisites.
Curriculum for the Spiritual Enrichment Program
Certificates of Completion:
ENT 148, 149 - A Survey of Romans
EWS 100, 101 - Expository Biblical Word Studies
ENT 142, 143 - I Corinthians
ENT 144 - Galatians
LS 101-104 - Greek
LS 120-122 - Hebrew
EOT 160 - Hosea
ENT 112, 113 - Gospel of Mark
ENT 100, 101 - New Testament Survey
EOT 100, 101 - Old Testament Survey
PBT 101-104 - Practical Biblical Theology
ENT 140, 141 - Practical Theology of Romans
THE 100, 101, 110, 111, 112 - Theology
I've sent a request in for information. At this time I do not know the tuition rates. I do know that some of the classes require that you buy cassette recordings.
Over the last week or so I've listed various books I've purchased on Matthew.
Here is the complete list:
Wilkins, Michael J. NIV Application Commentary: Matthew
Phillips, John Exploring The Gospel of Matthew
Ironside, Matthew - An Ironside Expository Commentary
Barclay, William The Gospel of Matthew - Volume I
Barclay, William The Gospel of Matthew - Volume II
Keener, Craig S. A Commentary On The Gospel of Matthew
Hagner, Donald A. Word Biblical Commentary: Matthew 1-13
Hagner, Donald A. Word Biblical Commentary: Matthew 14-28
Boice, James Montgomery The Gospel of Matthew - The King & His Kingdom
Boice, James Montgomery The Gospel of Matthew - The Triumph of the King
MacArthur, John F. Jr. Matthew 1-7
MacArthur, John F. Jr. Matthew 8-15
MacArthur, John F. Jr. Matthew 16-23
MacArthur, John F. Jr. Matthew 24-28
Also, in addition to this this should be added the two volumes of the Preacher's Outline & Sermon bible for the book of Matthew.
I was able to do some bible study this morning.
I woke up at 3:30 and couldn't get back to sleep; therefore I decided to get up and do something useful.
Right now I'm into the 5th chapter of Matthew. The Preacher's Outline & Sermon Bible is a real blessing. It takes the time to spell things out and give many examples. It also has some 'Deeper Study' areas and suggests items to really think about.
While not cheap, this bible series has proved to be a great purchase.
I started to get a little sidetracked this morning. I made the mistake of turning on the computer to check on a few items. I lost about 20 minutes doing that; however, I got back on track quickly.
At least now, I only have a few things that distract me.
I no longer watch the news, download or listen to talk radio, read and write horror, check out all of the editorial cartoons, write and blog about politics and social issues. It was easy to get sidetracked with everything pulling at me.
Now, about the only thing I continue to do is work on genealogy, as time permits.
It is my hope to completely read the two volumes on Matthew from the Preacher's Outline & Sermon bible before I begin my independent study course begins at Arlington Bible College.
I think this will help greatly. Then, once the course begins, I can go back into the book of Matthew, cross-referencing all of the other books I have on Matthew.
Got to run - time to leave for work.
As I've stated in previous blog entries, I will be attending Arlington Bible College in the spring semester.
While I haven't completely decided on which courses I'll be taking, I know that one of them will be an indepentant study course on the book of Matthew. This is a 3 credit course. I know I want to take at least one 'classroom' class, but haven't decided on which one. I'm thinking that I'll only take two course this semester, as I think going to class one night per week might be all I'll be able to handle. I don't want to run the risk of signing up for two classes, then becoming overwhelmed and drop out. Two classes each semester, with one being a classroom course (1 night per week) and one being an independant course, might be the best approach for me. That would give me six credits per semester or twelve credits per year. I'd need 48 credits in order to get my second B.A. degree. That would come out to a four year process.
Last year I decided to do a study of the book of Matthew and purchased several books, dealing strictly with the first gospel:
Boice, James Montgomery The Gospel of Matthew - The King & His Kingdom Matthew 1-17
Boice, James Montgomery The Gospel of Matthew - The Triumph of the King Matthew 18-28
MacArthur, John F. Jr. Matthew 1-7 Matthew 1-7
MacArthur, John F. Jr. Matthew 8-15 Matthew 8-15
MacArthur, John F. Jr. Matthew 16-23 Matthew 16-23
MacArthur, John F. Jr. Matthew 24-28 Matthew 24-28
Keener, Craig S. A Commentary On The Gospel of Matthew Matthew
I've just ordered Exploring the Gospel of Matthew: An Expository Commentary by John Phillips. This is a hardback editor of 560 pages and is part of the Exploring the Bible series.
My library on the Gospel of Matthew is expanding. I've also ordered several other books which focus strictly on Matthew.
I am happy to report that I have finally located one of the best bible study sets that has ever been made.
I couldn't remember the exact title and had trouble locating this collection.
I kept thinking it was "Minister's Leadership Series" or something like that. I knew 'leadership' was in the title; however I was wrong. The publisher is Leadership Ministries Worldwide out of Chattanooga, TN. The actual books titles are 'The Preacher's Outline & Sermon Bible.'
I do remember these books were not cheap. I had two books in the series. Both were in black looseleaf binders. There are 14 books in the New Testament and 7 books in the Old Testament.
I'm unsure, but I believe they now have quite a few more books on the Old Testament available on CD.
Yesterday, I picked up the book of Acts. This large softbound book is about 445 pages - all on the book on Acts. It is great for study.
Yesterday morning I was able to get in some bible study before I left for work. I was able to study for about an hour.
My new office setup is working fine.
Using the Preacher's Outline & Sermon Bible as my main source, I'm studying the book of Matthew. I read through the pages, highlighting as I go along. Sometimes I'll even underline portions using a black Flair pen.
With my main bible, I use a dry highlighter pen when reading. Most bibles have tissue thin pages. Using a standard highlighter doesn't work well. The yellow bleeds through to the other side of the page. With a dry highlighter you are using something like a crayon. It doesn't bleed through.
Like the standard highlighters, dry highlighters are available in different colors. Right now I'm only using a yellow highlighter.
These aren't cheap, selling for a few dollars each. However, you can get refills, much in the same way that you can refill a ball point pen.
I was able to pick up a dozen on eBay last year for under $10.
Several companies make these highlighters. I have the Sanford brand. You might have to search at a regular office supply store (Office Depot, Staples, etc) for these products; however, they are available at any Christian book store.
Often when you order books, you just never know what to expect, regardless of the reviews you have read.
This won't be the case in this 2 volume edition on Matthew by William Barclay.
I've used several of Barclay's study aides before, many years ago when attending bible study at Trinity United Methodist Church. While I can't remember which book we were studying at the time, I was most impressed with the manner in which William Barclay laid everything out.
In fact, I was so impressed I went out and bought a few more of his books. Unfortunately, these books long ago left my bookshelve, so now I'm in a position of having to replace them as I go along.
The two volumes contain 392 and 416 pages respectively and cost $11.99 each.
I can remember paying about $8.00 for his books, but that was about 20 years ago.
Professor William Barclay (1907-1978) was a world-renowned New Testament interpreter and Professor of Divinity and Biblical Criticism at Glasgow University in Scotland. Having written more than fifty books, he is probably best known as the author of the seventeen New Testament volumes in The Daily Study Bible series.
I'm sure these two books will really help me out with the independant study course.
The NIV Application Commentary bible series is another very popular study series.
The various books of the bible commentaries are written by different scholars.
This is a 928 page hardback edition for $21.99 from ChristianBooks.com.
Here is one reader's review of the commentary on Matthew:
This is a simply wonderful commentary on the Text of Matthew. I found it to be both scholarly and devotional. I found the application sections to be so applicable (imagine that?) that after reading it I felt I had some good tools for how to live my life in the light of Christ's gospel. I think any person will find this commentary to be a delight to read and study. (especially pastors who plan on preaching on Matthew)
Here is a photo of my collection on the books of Matthew.
I'm still waiting delivery on one book.
Yesterday I finished up my office (still no photos) and was able to spend a few hours in bible study. As I'm going to take a course on Matthew in the spring, I decided to study that book.
I pulled out my Preacher's Outline & Sermon Bible for Matthew and started. There are 2 volumes for Matthew in the series.
I turned off the radio and closed out all programs on the computer. I've found it best not to use the computer at all when wanting to read and study the bible. There's just too much distraction and temptation to switch to something else.
I placed my giant print reading bible on a stand right next to the outline bible and began. I was able to swtich back and forth between the two without problem or distraction. On some of the verses I needed extra clarification, so I just swung around in my chair, pulled a commentary of two off the book shelve and searched for what I needed.
At this point in time, I'm not using or referring to the various single books I have on Matthew. Currently I have 14 books; each containing an in depth study of Matthew. I go back to these at a later time. For now, I want to do a rather quick study of Matthew. Then I'll go back for a detailed study.
The next book on Matthew that I ordered is from the Ironside Expository series.
This book has been out of print for some time now and has just become available again.
The cost for this 260 page hardcover book was $15.99.
Harry A. Ironside (1876-1951) was an American Bible teacher, pastor, and author. Authored more than 60 volumes as well as many pamphlets and articles on Bible subjects. For 18 of his 50 years of ministry, he was pastor of the Moody Memorial Church in Chicago.
Ironside wrote a complete collection of studies on the various books of the bible.
This is considered an excellent commentary on the Gospel of Matthew which includes a harmony of the gospels and a foreword by Arno C. Gaebelein. Dr. Harry Ironside carefully traces the text of Matthew as it presents Christ as the King of Israel. The commentary is fully dispensational and makes a helpful contribution to the understanding of the first book of the New Testament. The parables of the kingdom and the five major discources of Matthew's gospel are all handled expertly by Dr. Ironside.
I've been giving thought as to what courses I'd like to take at Arlington Bible College in the spring. There are several good courses available.
I'm also taking a serious look at myself and attending classes on campus at night after getting up about 4:30 and a long day at work.
I really have a problem going back out, once I get home. I had therefore consideried going directly to the campus from work.
In looking at the independent study courses offered this semester, I find the following are available:
Spiritual Leadership
Book of Matthew
Introduction to Mission
1 & 2 Samuel / 1 Chronicles The Beatitudes are covered in the book of Matthew and the book of Luke. If I decided to take two independent study course that the Beatitudes and the book of Matthew might be a good match, as I would be covering part of the Beatitudes while studying Matthew. The Beatitudes are found in Matthew 5:1-11 and Luke 6:20-26.
I haven't done much study in the Old Testament; therefore, to widen my knowledge, 1 & 2 Samuel and 1 Chronicles might also be a good choice.
While I know the importance of classroom discussion, I'm starting to lean towards one or two independant study courses. I need to get my feet wet, so to speak.
Regardless of what I do, I will at least take the independent study course on Matthew. I've already decided that, and have prepared by purchasing several commentaries on Matthew.
Right now, I'm considering taking the two independant study courses of the Beatitudes and Matthew. That would give me six credits for the semester. As there are always five or six different independent study courses offered each semester, with a total of 15 such courses list in the college catalog, I could, conceivably, take two courses each semester for the next several years.
The independant study courses listed in the catalog are:
Ezra & Nehemiah
Kings & Chronicles
Historical Books
Ecclesiastes
Minor Prophets
Spiritual Leadership
Gospel of Matthew
Gospel of Mark
Gospel of Luke
Parables of Jesus
I & II Peter
Discipleship
Personal Christian Growth
Holiness: Dream or Reality
Godliness: Principle or Practice It is interesting to note that three of the independent study courses being offered in the Spring, 2007 semester (Beatitudes, Introduction to Missions, and 1 & 2 Samuel / 1 Chronicles) are not listed as independent study courses in the college catalog. It is also interesting to note that while Matthew, Mark, and Luke are offered as indepandant study courses, John is not. Rather, it is listed only as a regular course.
As stated in previous blog entries, there are six mandatory courses required for graduation:
New Testament Survey
Old Testament Survey
Foundational Truths
Principles of Biblical Interpretation
English Grammar & Composition I
English Grammar & Composition II These six classes are only available during weeknight sessions; none are available as independant study courses. In my conversation with the Dean, I've been advised advised that since I already have a B.A. degree, it is not necessary for me to take either English Grammar & Composition I or English Grammar & Composition II.
Therefore, theoretically, I could actually obtain my second B.A. in Biblical Studies by taking twelve independent study courses, along with the other four required courses (only offered in the classroom).
Perhaps, it is best that I concentrate on the independent courses for a few semesters, before returning to the classroom.
I took a correspondence course from Writer's Digest Schools a few years ago and had no trouble with keeping up with the lessons and doing the assignments on my own. The fact that I have researched and written several dozen books shows that I can perform this type of task.
It would be a way for me to accumulate college credits until I am either ready, or required, to return to the classroom.
Right now, I'm seriously leaning towards the Beatitudes and Matthew courses.
My tuition costs would be $97 per credit hour, or $582 for the two courses. If I pay the full tuition at registration the cost drops to $562. That includes the cost of textbooks. Also, the college states that a student who pays the tuition in full at the time of registering will have their choice of 2 books per class from the display table - two courses 4 books (etc), absolutely free as long as supplies last.
Thus, by paying $562 at the time of registration (plus a one time application fee of $10 - $572 total), I'll be enrolled in 2 three credit courses, obtain the textbooks for these courses, plus be able to pick out 4 free books.
I've been giving thought as to what courses I'd like to take at Arlington Bible College in the spring. There are several good courses available.
I'm also taking a serious look at myself and attending classes on campus at night after getting up about 4:30 and a long day at work.
I really have a problem going back out, once I get home. I had therefore consideried going directly to the campus from work.
In looking at the independent study courses offered this semester, I find the following are available:
Beatitudes
Spiritual Leadership
Book of Matthew
Introduction to Mission
1 & 2 Samuel / 1 Chronicles
The Beatitudes are covered in the book of Matthew and the book of Luke. If I decided to take two independent study course that the Beatitudes and the book of Matthew might be a good match, as I would be covering part of the Beatitudes while studying Matthew. The Beatitudes are found in Matthew 5:1-11 and Luke 6:20-26.
I haven't done much study in the Old Testament; therefore, to widen my knowledge, 1 & 2 Samuel and 1 Chronicles might also be a good choice.
While I know the importance of classroom discussion, I'm starting to lean towards one or two independant study courses. I need to get my feet wet, so to speak.
Regardless of what I do, I will at least take the independent study course on Matthew. I've already decided that, and have prepared by purchasing several commentaries on Matthew.
Right now, I'm considering taking the two independant study courses of the Beatitudes and Matthew. That would give me six credits for the semester. As there are always five or six different independent study courses offered each semester, with a total of 15 such courses list in the college catalog, I could, conceivably, take two courses each semester for the next several years.
The independant study courses listed in the catalog are:
Ezra & Nehemiah
Kings & Chronicles
Historical Books
Ecclesiastes
Minor Prophets
Spiritual Leadership
Gospel of Matthew
Gospel of Mark
Gospel of Luke
Parables of Jesus
I & II Peter
Discipleship
Personal Christian Growth
Holiness: Dream or Reality
Godliness: Principle or Practice
It is interesting to note that three of the independent study courses being offered in the Spring, 2007 semester (Beatitudes, Introduction to Missions, and 1 & 2 Samuel / 1 Chronicles) are not listed as independent study courses in the college catalog. It is also interesting to note that while Matthew, Mark, and Luke are offered as indepandant study courses, John is not. Rather, it is listed only as a regular course.
As stated in previous blog entries, there are six mandatory courses required for graduation:
New Testament Survey
Old Testament Survey
Foundational Truths
Principles of Biblical Interpretation
English Grammar & Composition I
English Grammar & Composition II
These six classes are only available during weeknight sessions; none are available as independant study courses. In my conversation with the Dean, I've been advised advised that since I already have a B.A. degree, it is not necessary for me to take either English Grammar & Composition I or English Grammar & Composition II.
Therefore, theoretically, I could actually obtain my second B.A. in Biblical Studies by taking twelve independent study courses, along with the other four required courses (only offered in the classroom).
Perhaps, it is best that I concentrate on the independent courses for a few semesters, before returning to the classroom.
I took a correspondence course from Writer's Digest Schools a few years ago and had no trouble with keeping up with the lessons and doing the assignments on my own. The fact that I have researched and written several dozen books shows that I can perform this type of task.
It would be a way for me to accumulate college credits until I am either ready, or required, to return to the classroom.
Right now, I'm seriously leaning towards the Beatitudes and Matthew courses.
My tuition costs would be $97 per credit hour, or $582 for the two courses. If I pay the full tuition at registration the cost drops to $562. That includes the cost of textbooks. Also, the college states that a student who pays the tuition in full at the time of registering will have their choice of 2 books per class from the display table - two courses 4 books (etc), absolutely free as long as supplies last.
Thus, by paying $562 at the time of registration (plus a one time application fee of $10 - $572 total), I'll be enrolled in 2 three credit courses, obtain the textbooks for these courses, plus be able to pick out 4 free books.
I just called Scripture Truth Book Company to check on the order I place about two weeks ago for the complete New Testament (14 volumes) + the first seven publications of the Old Testament.
This was the KJV set I ordered in loose leaf binder format.
I was told the entire order, with the except of one volume has already been shipped to me. I should receive it in a few days. The other volume will be sent when it arrives.
I can't wait to get this fantastic bible collection.
I need to make more space in my office for all of my books. I have a huge collection of genealogy books, chess problem books, horror books & magazines (although I'm currently not interested in horror), conservative politics books, and naturally, an ever-increasing, collection of bibles, study bibles, commentaries and other bible & religion books.
I'll have to take a photo of my current setup. I really don't have a 'bookshelf' (in the strict sense of the word) in my office.
I'm going out this morning to see about purchasing a few bookshelves. I've taken all of the measurements of the space in the office and feel I can, by removing the 'entertainment' unit which is currently serving as a make-shift bookshelf, put three bookshelves into that space. It will take a little effort to get everything in. The office might then be a little more cramped; however, it would be nice to have all of my books in my office.
Currently, many of my genealogy books & horror books are sitting in boxes in another room and my chess problem books are stored in boxes in the attic. That's certainly no place for my chess problem books considering how hot it gets up there. I'm also debating selling my entire collect of chess problem books and magazines as I've lost interest in the hobby. I could probably fetch a pretty good price for this collection which then (and don't tell my wife), could be used to buy more books.
As I've also lost interest in reading and writing horror, these books might also be given away to my son.
I've always been a big fan of bible commentaries, whether in printed books or within bible software.
In book form, I currently have:
Matthew Henry's Commentary On The Whole Bible (single volume commentary)
Matthew Poole's Commentary On The Bible (3 books)
J. Vernon McGee - Thru The Bible (3 books)
NIV Bible Commentary - OldTestament
NIV Bible Commentary - New Testament
I've heard good reviews about the Believer's Bible Commentary by William MacDonald. Here is the product review:
Written to give 'the average Christian reader a basic knowledge of what the Holy Bible is all about,' the Believer's Bible Commentary is a one-volume commentary on the entire Bible based on the New King James Version (NKJV). Author William MacDonald has compiled an insightful and applicable commentary, with introductions, notes, and bibliographies for each book of the Bible. This commentary is both a verse-by-verse exposition (in the New Testament, Psalms, Proverbs, and Ecclesiastes) and a paragraph-by-paragraph exposition (all other Old Testament books). Passages in the Old Testament which point toward Christ are given special attention.
Overview of the Believer's Bible Commentary:
Theologically conservative (Evangelical)
Based on the New King James Version (NKJV)
A combination of verse-by-verse and paragraph-by-paragraphy exposition
Numerous charts, maps, and illustrations
Non-technical (no knowledge of Hebrew, Greek or Aramaic necessary)
Geared toward the average Christian, but helpful to pastors and students as well
Thorough and comprehensive, yet accessible
At $19.99, this is a good bargain.
Down the line, there are a few other complete bible commentaries I wish to purchase. I'm finding the Darby and Gill commentaries (within eSword) to be very handy).
I've just ordered myself a book that sounds interesting and helpful. It is called Good Grief by Granger E. Westberg. It deals with the ten stages of grief: shock, emotion, depression, physical distress, panic, guilt, anger, resistance, hope, and finally, acceptance.
I'm helping I'll get something out of this book to help me through the grieving process and the loss of my Dad. It has some very good reviews.
Here is a short introduction about the book:
We spend a good portion of our lives working diligently to acquire those things that make life rich and meaningful -friends, a wife or husband, children, a home, a job. material comforts, money (let's face it), and security. What happens to us when we lose any of these persons or things which are so important to us?
Quite naturally we grieve over the loss of anything important. Sometimes, if the loss is great, the very foundations of our life are shaken, and we are thrown into deep despair. Because we know so little about the nature of grief, we become panicky when it strikes us, and this serves to throw us deeper into despondency. What ought we to know about the 'grief process,' so that we can better cope with it?
Does people's faith have anything to do with the way they grieve over whatever it is they lose? For instance, when we lose a job, or lose a loving friend, or fail in school, or are disliked by the people at the office because of our unpopular convictions, does our grief at these times have anything to do with our faith?
Faith plays a major role in grief of any kind. But not in the way some people think. They often seem to have the idea that a person with strong faith does not grieve and is above this sort of thing. Moreover, these people imply that religious faith advocates stoicism. They might even quote the two words from Scripture, "Grieve not!" They forget to quote the rest of the phrase in which these two words are found: "Grieve not as those who have no hope" (I Thess. 4:13).
But religious faith--at least the Jewish-Christian faith--has never said that a truly religious person does not grieve. What it has said is that there are good ways and bad ways to grieve, and that what a person considers to be of most importance in life will definitely affect the way he or she grieves.
My Followup: I read this book within about 1/2 an hour and really can't say that I found much useful information in it. It was mainly just common sense. I didn't find anything helpful about 'working' through grief.
As mentioned in previous posts, I really like The Preacher's Outline & Sermon Bible by Leadership Ministries Worldwide. Caution: This is not a cheap investment and there are several options to choose from. To the left is the individual softbound version. As you can see, there are many books in the collection, each costing about $36.00
To the left is another version of the collection. Notice these books are not bound, but rather in loose leaf format. This is very handy in that you can print out other commentaries or your notes and place in the appropriate place. You are now up to about $43 per book.
Here is the entire collection hardbound into three volumes in a nice slipcase. Actually this is just the new testament portion of their collection. They are still working on the old testament and have a way to go before finished. A thumbed index edition of the NT costs about $360.
Of course, we're now in the computer age. (Did the bible ever mention that?). You can get the entire collection (plus many other items) on CD for a mere $474.99. I ordered a 30 day trial CD version for about $7 to check it out. It is very nice and wouldn't take long to learn.
As much as a computer geek as I am, NOTHING beats the printed word. I just can't read from a computer screen for any period of time. Certainly, bible programs and bibles on the computer are useful, but absolutely nothing can ever replace a book.
I've sat down and thought about the concerns I have about going to bible college in the spring of 2007.
CONCERNS:
1. I haven't been in college or grad school, but for a year and a half, since 1971. That's 36 years ago.
2. At age 57, I'm tired every night.
3. Once I get home, I'm done for the day. I rarely go back out at night.
4. Many of my fellow students will be much younger than I and have more energy and learning power.
5. Most, if not all, of my fellow students have been regular church goers all of their life. They have attended bible studies for years and have read and know the bible. I will be at a tremendous disadvantage.
6. Due to work and family obligations, I will have a difficulty finding the time to go to school, complete the assignments, and retain the information. (This is a concern for everyone.)
7. My desire might dwindle and I might loose interested in a structured setting.
8. As a member of the Masonic Fraternity, I am aware that many religions frown on such organizations. The baptist church is one of these organizations along with the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod. I will not take off my Masonic ring or belt buckle and hide my membership. I won't throw it in anyone's face, but I won't lie about it either. Before I joined Bethany Lane Baptist Church in the mid 1990's, I made the Pastor aware of my membership and told him if it was going to be a problem to let me know up front and I wouldn't join. He said there would be no problem as long as I didn't use the church as a recruiting ground for the Masons. I just hope there aren't other students, faculty, or staff, that want to make this an issue. If this happens, I won't attend. I'm as firm in my beliefs of the Masonic Fraternity as I am in the bible. I see no problems. I've read the various anti-Masonic books and articles and know these people are far off base. I will never denounce either the fraternity, God, or the bible. If others have a problem with this, it will be their problem, as I have no intention of arguing my case. I'm there to learn the bible and religion, not argue about the Masonic fraternity. If you don't want me there, just say it and I will leave. I'm not looking for a confrontation on the issue.
9. In the past, I've been easily sidetracked from various things, always getting involved with different projects requiring quite a bit of time. Items such as writing, website, blog, and genealogy, could easily distracted me. I must keep very focused on the task at hand. This will involve spending much less time on the computer and much more time reading and studying. I have to make major changes in my life in this respect and also with gathering the energy needed.
I view the last item (along with items #2 & #3) as being my biggest hurdles.
ADVANTAGES:
1. I will study and learn more about the bible than I ever have before. It will give me a better understanding of the word of God.
Somehow the advantages far outweigh the disadvantages. I'm looking forward to starting bible college in January. Praying for strength, knowledge, and everyone's support is important in this matter.
There is one thing I forgot to mention about my visit to Arlington Bible College.
I left my house about 5 PM and didn't get to the college until about 5:50.
Traffic on the Baltimore beltway was horrible.
If I leave work at 4 PM, I get home about 4:45 or so. I ride with another employee in MIS. If it is the week I'm driving, I don't get home until about 5 PM.
Obviously, on school nights, I won't be car pooling, nor returning straight home. I'll just head straight to the college and pick up a bite to eat along the way.
Perhaps I'll take an extra sandwich and thermos of coffee with me. I wonder if the coffee will stay warm for 12 hours?
I believe the Dean arrives about 4 PM each evening. I could get there about 4:40 and spend about an hour in the library studying or talking to the staff. There's a lot I could be learning during that time.
Also, I wonder if it would be worthwhile to take my laptop to class. I really didn't see any need for it on the class I sat in on, on Monday. But, I could always use it when in the library.
Matthew 17:20
Ted Armstrong, a frequent visitor and commenter on this (and my other) blogs, left a comment on a previous entry asking what my bible said about Matthew 17:20.
I thought this might be a good test for eSword. Below is Matthew 17:20, from several different bible translations:
Mat 17:20
(ALT) So Jesus said to them, "Because of your unbelief. For positively I say to you, if you are having faith like a grain of mustard [or, a mustard seed], you will say to this mountain, 'Move from here [to] there,' and it will move, and nothing will be impossible to you*.
(ASV) And he saith unto them, Because of your little faith: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you.
(Bishops) Iesus sayde vnto them: because of your vnbeliefe. For veryly I say vnto you: If ye haue fayth as a grayne of mustarde seede, ye shall say vnto this mountayne: remoue hence to yonder place, and it shall remoue, neither shall any thyng be vnpossible vnto you.
(CEV) Jesus replied: It is because you don't have enough faith! But I can promise you this. If you had faith no larger than a mustard seed, you could tell this mountain to move from here to there. And it would. Everything would be possible for you.
(Complete Apostles' Bible) So Jesus said to them, "Because of your unbelief; for assuredly I say to you, if you have faith like a mustard seed, you shall say to this mountain, 'Be moved from here to there,' and it shall move; and nothing shall be impossible for you.
(DRB) (17:19) Jesus said to them: Because of your unbelief. For, amen I say to you, if you have faith as a grain of mustard seed, you shall say to this mountain: Remove from hence hither, and it shall remove: and nothing shall be impossible to you.
(EMTV) So Jesus said to them, "Because of your unbelief; for assuredly I say to you, if you have faith like a mustard seed, you shall say to this mountain, 'Be moved from here to there,' and it shall move; and nothing shall be impossible for you.
(ESV) He said to them, "Because of your little faith. For truly, I say to you, if you have faith like a grain of mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there,' and it will move, and nothing will be impossible for you."
(Geneva) And Iesus said vnto them, Because of your vnbeliefe: for verely I say vnto you, if ye haue faith as much as is a graine of mustarde seede, ye shall say vnto this mountaine, Remooue hence to yonder place, and it shall remoue: and nothing shalbe vnpossible vnto you.
(GNB) "It was because you do not have enough faith," answered Jesus. "I assure you that if you have faith as big as a mustard seed, you can say to this hill, 'Go from here to there!' and it will go. You could do anything!"
(GW) He told them, "Because you have so little faith. I can guarantee this truth: If your faith is the size of a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there,' and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you."
(ISV) He told them, "Because of your lack of faith. For truly I tell you, if you have faith like a grain of mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there,' and it will move, and nothing will be impossible for you.
(KJV) And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you.
(KJV-1611) And Iesus said vnto them, Because of your unbeliefe: for verily I say vnto you, If yee haue faith as a graine of mustard seed, yee shall say vnto this mountaine; Remoue hence to yonder place: and it shall remoue, and nothing shall be vnpossible vnto you.
(KJVA) And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you.
(KJVR) And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you.
(LITV) And Jesus said to them, Because of your unbelief. For truly I say to you, If you have faith as a grain of mustard, you will say to this mountain, Move from here to there! And it will move. And nothing shall be impossible to you.
(MKJV) And Jesus said to them, Because of your unbelief. For truly I say to you, If you have faith like a grain of mustard seed, you shall say to this mountain, Move from here to there. And it shall move. And nothing shall be impossible to you.
(MSG) "Because you're not yet taking God seriously," said Jesus. "The simple truth is that if you had a mere kernel of faith, a poppy seed, say, you would tell this mountain, 'Move!' and it would move. There is nothing you wouldn't be able to tackle."
(Murdock) Jesus said to them: Because of your unbelief. For verily I say to you, That if there be in you faith like a grain of mustard seed, ye may say to this mountain, Remove hence, and it will remove: and nothing will be too hard for you.
(NET) He told them, "It was because of your little faith. I tell you the truth,36 if you have faith the size of37 a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there,' and it will move; nothing38 will be impossible for you."39
(RSV) He said to them, "Because of your little faith. For truly, I say to you, if you have faith as a grain of mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there,' and it will move; and nothing will be impossible to you."
(Webster) And Jesus said to them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say to you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard-seed, ye shall say to this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place, and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible to you.
(WNT) "Because your faith is so small," He replied; "for I solemnly declare to you that if you have faith like a mustard-seed, you shall say to this mountain, 'Remove from this place to that,' and it will remove; and nothing shall be impossible to you.
Below, are several commentaries of the verse, as taken from different sources:
Barnes:
Mat 17:20 -
As a grain of mustard-seed - See the notes at Mat_13:31-32. The mustard-seed was the smallest of all seeds. It has been supposed by some, therefore, that he meant to say, If you have the smallest or feeblest faith that is genuine, you can do all things. The mustard-seed produced the largest of all herbs. It has been supposed by others, therefore, to mean, If you have increasing, expanding, enlarged faith, growing and strengthening from small beginnings, you can perform the most difficult undertaking. There is a principle of vitality in the grain of seed stretching forward to great results, which illustrates the nature of faith. Your faith should be like that. This is probably the true meaning.
Ye shall say unto this mountain ... - Probably he pointed to a mountain near, to assure them that if they had such faith they might accomplish the most difficult undertakings - things that at first would appear impossible.
Clarke:
Mat 17:20 -
Because of your unbelief - Are we preachers of the Gospel? Do the things of God rest upon our minds with a deep and steady conviction? Can we expect that a doctrine which we do not, from conviction, credit ourselves, can be instrumental in our hands of begetting faith in others? So we preached, end so ye believed. The word preached generally begets in the people the same spirit which the preacher possesses. Instead of απιϚιαν, unbelief, the famous Vatican MS. and Cod. Cyprius, six others, Coptic, Ethiopic, Armenian, and Arabic, Origen, and Chrysostom, read ολιγοπιϚιαν, littleness of faith. The disciples had some faith, but not enough - they believed, but not fully.
As a grain of mustard seed - Some eminent critics think this a proverbial expression, intimating a Great Degree of faith, because removing mountains, which St. Paul, 1Co_13:2, attributes to All Faith; i.e. the greatest possible degree of faith, is attributed here, by our Lord, to that faith which is as a grain of mustard seed. However this may be, there can be no doubt that our Lord means, as Bishop Pearce well remarks, a thriving and increasing faith; which like the grain of mustard seed, from being the least of seeds, becomes the greatest of all herbs; even a tree in whose branches the fowls of the air take shelter. See Wakefield’s Comment, and the note on Mat_13:32 (note).
Gill:
Mat 17:20 - And Jesus said unto them, because of your unbelief,.... The Arabic and Ethiopic versions read, "because of your little faith", or "the smallness of your faith"; and so does one Greek manuscript; and which is what is doubtless meant by their unbelief; for they were not altogether destitute of faith, but their faith was very low, and their unbelief very great. Christ says, not because of the unbelief of the parent of the child, and those that were with him, though that also was a reason; but because of their unbelief, being willing to convince them of their unbelief, as he had done the father of the child, who had confessed it, and desired it might be removed from him: but lest they should think they had lost their power of doing miracles, Christ adds;
for verily I say unto you, if ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed; which was a very small seed, the least of all seeds, and is used very often proverbially by the Jews, to signify anything of a small quantity or weight (b), and is sometimes used of faith, as here; so speaking of the congregation of Edom, meaning the Christians, they (c) say,
"they have not אמונה כמו גרעין של חרדל, "faith as a grain of mustard seed".''
And it is used in like sense in other eastern nations; and by Mahomet in his Alcoran (d), who says,
"We will appoint just balances in the day of resurrection, neither shall any soul be injured at all, although the merit or guilt of an action be of the weight of "a grain of mustard seed".''
So that it has no reference to the quality of mustard seed, being hot and acrimonious; which has led some interpreters wrong, to compare faith unto it, for its liveliness and fervency: when our Lord only means, that if his apostles had ever so small a degree of faith in exercise, which might be compared for its smallness to this least of seeds, such an effect as he after mentions would follow; and which therefore is to be understood, not of an historical faith, by which men assent to all that is in the Bible as true; nor of a special, spiritual faith, by which souls believe in Christ, as their Saviour and Redeemer; for of neither of these can the following things in common be said; but of a faith of miracles, peculiar to certain persons in those early times, for certain reasons; which such as had but ever so small a degree of, as the apostles here spoken to might say, as Christ observes to them,
ye shall say to this mountain; pointing perhaps to that he was just come down from, which might be in sight of the house where he was,
remove hence to yonder place, and it shall remove: meaning, not that it would be ordinarily or ever done in a literal sense by the apostles, that they should remove mountains; but that they should be able to do things equally difficult, and as seemingly impossible, if they had but faith, when the glory of God, and the good of men, required it. So that it does not follow, because the apostles did not do it in a literal sense, therefore they could not, as the Jew insultingly says (e); since it was meant that they should, and besides, have done, things equally as great as this, and which is the sense of the words. So the apostle expresses the faith of miracles, by "removing mountains", 1Co_13:2 i.e. by doing things which are difficult, seem impossible to be done: wherefore Christ adds,
and nothing shall be impossible to you; you shall not only be able to perform such a wonderful action as this, were it necessary, but any, and everything else, that will make for the glory of God, the enlargement of my kingdom and interest, the confirmation of truth, and the good of mankind.
Wesley:
Mat 17:20 - Because of your unbelief - Because in this particular they had not faith. If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed - That is, the least measure of it. But it is certain, the faith which is here spoken of does not always imply saving faith. Many have had it who thereby cast out devils, and yet will at last have their portion with them. It is only a supernatural persuasion given a man, that God will work thus by him at that hour. Now, though I have all this faith so as to remove mountains, yet if I have not the faith which worketh by love, I am nothing. To remove mountains was a proverbial phrase among the Jews, and is still retained in their writings, to express a thing which is very difficult, and to appearance impossible. Mat_21:21; Luk_17:6.
Last Monday evening I visited Arlington Bible College. I had a nice 45 minute visit with Donald Brooks, Dean of the college.
Towards the end of the visit, Rev. Michael Britton came in the room. He was teaching Church History I on that evening. After the visit, I went to Rev. Britton's classroom to sit in on the class. I must say I was quite impressed. There were about nine students in the class.
Rev. Britton was very well prepared, doing the entire lecture with Power Point slides. There weren't even personal computers the last time I was in college or grad school.
He was covering the various Crusades. I didn't know much about the Crusades and learned quite a bit. The textbook being used was 'Christianity Through The Centuries' by Earle E. Cairns.
At the end of the class, Rev. Britton invited me back for next week. He is going to show a movie next week.
One thing I was pleased to notice, from my various conversations with the staff, instructor, students, and chapel times, was that Arlington Bible College takes a conservative stance. I like that very much. I'm not a liberal in any area of my life.
Rev. Britton also invited me to his church; however, it is quite a ways from my home. There is a baptist church near my home in Riveria Beach (Anne Arundel County) that I am considering visiting.
I haven't attended church since 1998, perferring to worship in my own way, in private. I like private meditation and prayer. I enjoy hearing a good sermon and lecture. I enjoy listening to Christian music. All of this can be obtained from TV, radio, or via the internet in mp3 format.
The only thing missing is a congregation of people.
Mat 6:6 But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.
The 'closet' simply means a private place. You can certainly pray in public, but God also advocates private prayer. Prayer is worship. Therefore, from my way of thinking, you can also worship in private. Certainly, there is nothing wrong with public worship, just like there is nothing wrong with public prayer. I prefer private prayer and private worship.
Eventually, I'll probably return to a church. More than likely it will be a baptist church, or certainly one where the bible is strictly and conservatively taught.
Ted Armstrong posted on a recent comment that he prefered the English Standard Version translation of the bible.
I really hadn't had much exposure to this translation and decided to check it out.
I've really only used the King James Version, New King James Version, NASB, and NIV versions. Of these the King James and New King James are my favorites. For generally reading the NIV is nice.
The latest statistics (September, 2006) show the following bible sales:
1 New International Version various publishers
2 New King James Version various publishers
3 King James Version various publishers
4 New Living Translation Tyndale
5 English Standard Version Crossway
6 Reina Valera 1960 (Spanish) various publishers
7 Holman Christian Standard Bible B&H Publishing Group
8 New American Standard Bible update various publishers
9 The Message Eugene Peterson, NavPress
10 New International Readers Version Zondervan
As you can see the NIV and New KJV lead the way. There's no surprise there as both are very popular. I've seen the New Living Translation (#4) before and am not that impressed with it.
However, #5, is Ted's favorite - the ESV.
From the ESV website:
How is the ESV Different from Other Translations?
All Bible translations seek to faithfully communicate God's Word. But, depending on translation philosophy and purpose, significant differences are evident when comparing Bible translations.
There are two main kinds of Bible translations. The first is commonly referred to as (1) 'word-for-word' (or 'formal equivalence') translation, the second as (2) 'thought-for-thought' (or 'dynamic equivalence') translation. The main difference between these two translation philosophies is that the first one places the primary emphasis on what the words of the original say and mean (in their context), while the second one places the primary emphasis on the main thought or idea in the phrases of the original.
As an 'essentially literal' translation, the ESV is committed to the principle of 'word-for'word' translation, as the translation philosophy that most accurately conveys the Bible's own understanding that 'all Scripture is breathed out by God' (2 Timothy 3:16), or as Jesus said, 'Man shall not live by bread alone but by every word that comes from the mouth of God' (Matthew 4:4).
I have decided to enroll at Arlington Bible College in Baltimore County, Maryland, for the Spring 2007 Semester.
Over the years, I have often thought about studying the bible. I had looked at various home study (correspondence) courses, some on-line (internet) course, and the more on-site traditional setting. While I could do the correspondence and/or internet courses, I didn't want to go that route. I felt I needed a more traditional setting in a classroom with interaction and give and take.
Prices on various types of study varied from low ($40 per semester) to very high ($200 per credit hour).
Arlington Bible College offers a traditional classroom setting at a very reasonable price ($97 per 3 credit course). The cost of $97 per 3 credit course also INCLUDES the textbook.
They are a full degree granting college which satisfies all of the criteria established by the State of Maryland for the status of a religious degree granting college. As such, they must constantly requalify to keep their accreditation.
They currently offer:
A. A one-year Certificate in Bible (30 credit hours)
B. A two-year Associates in Arts (A.A.) degree (60 credit hours)
C. A Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) degree in Biblical Studies (126 credit hours).
If a study has a Bachelors, Masters or Doctorate degree, he also can earn a B.A. in Biblical Studies by completing 16 Biblical Studies course (48 credit hours).
A student must sucessfully complete 6 courses, either at this college or accepted by the registrar with an acceptable certified transcript:
New Testament Survey
Old Testament Survey
Foundation Truths
Principles of biblical Interpretation
English Grammar & Composition I
English Grammar & Composition II
On Monday, I went to the college and spent about 45 minutes taking to Donald Brooks, Dean of Arlington Bible College. He advised that because I already had a B.A., I didn't need to take the two English Grammar & Composition course. Therefore, I only had to take the first four courses cited above and any other twelve courses offered.
Of special interest is the fact that Arlington Bible College regularly offers Independant Study courses each semester.
Courses are held on Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday evenings from 6:15 to 9:15 PM, with a brief break for chapel.
The schedule for the Spring, 2007 semester is:
MONDAY
Church History 2
Foundational Truths
Pauline Epistles 1 (or) How We Got The Bible (The 'or' means that only one of these course will be taught, depending on the number of students registered.)
TUESDAY
Philosophy of Christian Life
Book of Hebrews (or) Book of Acts
Major Prophets (or) Minor Prophets
Principles of Biblical Interpretation
THURSDAY
Old Testament Survey
Book of Leviticus
Book of Romans
Introduction to Missions
Theology 3 (Angelology & Ecclesiology
Hebrew 2 (or) Greek 1
INDEPENDENT STUDY:
Beatitudes
Spiritual Leadership
Book of Matthew
Introduction to Missions
1 & 2 Samuel / 1 Chronicles
More on Arlington Bible College tomorrow.
As noted in an earlier entry, I was looking for a single bible to use. I have several study bibles, and would grab a different one each time I read the bible. The problem was that I'd highlight each one, but not have all of the stuff together. I was making myself frustrated and decided to look for one bible that would have many of the features I liked.
The one I decided on did not have all of the features I was looking for. In fact, I don't think the bible I was looking for, with all the different features I wanted is even made. I decided against a study bible for a few reasons. I have several good study bibles and either single, or multi-set, commenteries. I did not find exactly what I wanted with extra wide margins to make my notes.
However, I came across one from Thomas Nelson Publishers. I chose a King James Version translation with Giant Print. I looked at several ones with 'Large' print, but some of these really weren't that large. This Giant Print bible has a 13.5 point size, which is very nice. It has a center column with references. Also, I got it in black bonded leather with thumb index. It is a 'red letter' edition, meaning all of the words Christ spoke are printed in red.
I think what sold me the most was the font size. The 13.5 is very nice. I still have some reference notes in it, although not to the extent of a study bible. One reason I chose against a study bible, was that sometimes they can be a little distracting.
One of the ads for the bible states the following.
Set in giant print type (13 1/2 point), this King James Giant Print Bible is great for individual study, teaching, or reading from the pulpit. It makes using a reference Bible more comfortable and less eye-straining. Added features include: center-column references and notes in large type, translation notes, topical running heads, self-pronouncing text, and stars to mark messianic prophecies. The affordable price and beautiful leather binding make this a great choice for anyone who is looking for value in a giant print Bible.
I was able to purchase the bible for $40. I must admit it is very readable at a 13.5 point font size. Also, I purchased a dozen or so, 'dry' highlighters last year. The dry highlighters are nice as they don't bleed through the page, onto the other side. I can't use a 'flair' type pen; instead, I must use a ballpoint pen, if I want to write anything on a page.
Yesterday I phoned the Scripture Truth Book Company and placed an order for the 14 loose leaf volumes of the New Testament in the King James version. I also ordered the first seven loose leaf volumes of the Old Testament, which covers Genesis through Deuteronomy (commonly known at the First Five Books Of Moses or Pentateuch (a Greek word that is derived from two words: penta meaning "five", and teukhos which means "implement" which refers to the Hebrew Bible's books of Genesis, Exodus , Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy) It is also sometimes referred to as the Torah, which is a Hebrew word meaning "teaching," "instruction," or "law".
Wikapedia states: For Jews, the Torah was traditionally accepted as the literal word of God as told to Moses. For many, it is neither exactly history, nor theology, nor legal and ritual guide, but something beyond all three. It is the primary guide to the relationship between God and man, and the whole meaning and purpose of that relationship, a living document that unfolds over generations and millennia.
I've always enjoyed reading the first five books of the Old Testament, along with Psalms, and Proverbs.
The Preacher's Outline & Sermon Bible series has not yet published Psalms or Proverbs. Currently, they have completed Genesis, Exodus , Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy, Joshua, Judges, Ruth, 1st & 2nd Samuel, 1st & 2nd Kings, 1st & 2nd Chronicles, Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther, Isiah, and Jeremiah.
I'll slowly add others to my collection; however, today's total was $607.95. I'm using income from my web design business to pay for these bibles. Hopefully, customers will pay their 2007 invoices before the end of this year!
I'm also going to use income from the web design business to fund part of my tuition at Arlington Bible College. I phoned them yesterday and ask for an application. I'll have to contact UMBC and have my transcript sent to them.
I asked Arlington Bible College to call me before noon on Monday. As I'm off next week and in town on Monday, I'd like to stop there Monday evening and talk to someone about the Spring semester. I'm also going to request permission to sit in on a Monday night class to get the feel of the college. That will be very helpful in making my final decision about attending in the spring.
I'm going to probably see about purchasing a few more study bibles and commentaries. I get quite a lot out of the various commentaries and find them very useful. I have, in book format, Zondervan's NIV Old & New Testament Bible Commentary (two hardbound volumes - 2,801 pages), J. Vernon McGee's 'Thru The Bible' series (5 hardbound books - 1,080 pages), Matthew Henry's Complete & Unabridged Commentary on the Whole Bible (one hardbound volume - 2,485 pages), and Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy Bible (5 hardbound volumes - 1008 pages). I refer to these all of the time.
Within eSword, I currently have 19 bible commentaries. While I like have the commentaries in electronic format, nothing beats the printed word.
Oh yes, within Quick Verse 8, I also have several commentaries.
I understand that the Expositor's Bible Commentary (12 volumes, edited by Fran E. Gaebelein) is another very good source. Currently, ChristianBook.com is selling this set at $119.99. It retails for $456.88.
Arlington Bible College has a library that I would like to check out when I visit.
I hadn't thought of it until yesterday, but it is possible, after I receive the Preacher's Outline & Sermon Bible in loose-leaf format, to take everything out of the binders, and scan everything into PDF format. This way, I can always have it on my hard drive and with me, at all times.
Nora and I discussed the possibility of me taking a course (or two) at Arlington Bible College in the spring.
She's reminded me that over the years, I've said things like that before but never carried them out. I did take a course through Writer's Digest, but did take a few months off in the middle of it, before I completed it. Also, I signed up for another writing course, but dropped it after two weeks. The course was advertised as a 'mystery' writing class, but was very slanted to crime novels. That was the reason for that.
She also reminded me that I'm very tired when I get home at night and hate to go back out. There's no arguing with that, as it is 100% correct. I'm just feeling this is something I really want to do and will make every effort to carry it through.
However, with that said, she is behind me 100% in going back to college. I've been away for about 31 years now. The last time I attended any courses was in the Master's program in Criminal Justice at the University of Baltimore. (And, NO, I didn't complete the entire program, as I left the criminal justice field).
It is possible I might take one class on campus (1 night a week), plus take one independant study course. That would give me six credits.
As I'm off work next week, I might go up there on Monday night to talk with an advisor. I might ask if I can sit in on a class to get the feel of being in the classroom again.
Also, tomorrow I'm going to see about purchasing the Preacher's Outline & Sermon bible as written about in previous postings. I'd purchase the entire New Testament (14 volumes), plus the first five books of the Old Testament (7 volumes). I'm going to call tomorrow to check on the availability of the loose leaf version.
Arlington Bible College is located in Baltimore County, Maryland. It is an outgrowth of the Arlington Bible Institue which was started in the early 1970's. Classes are held on Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday evenings, with an occassional class on Saturday.
The college satisfies all of the criteria established by the State of Maryland for the status of a religious degree granting college and offers a one year Certificate in Bible (30 credits), a two year Assoiciate of Arts (A.A.) degree (60 credits) and a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) degree in Biblical Studies (126 credits).
If a student already as a Bachelors degree, he can earn another B.A. in Biblical Studies by completing 16 Biblical Studies courses (48 credits).
There are six mandatory courses for the B.A. degree:
If you already have a Bachelor's degree and have a transcript sent to Arlington Bible College showing satisfactory completion of the two English grammer & composition courses, you would only have four required courses to take.
Arlington Bible College has a tuition rate of $97 per credit hour or $291 per course. Textbooks are included with each course offered. Discounts apply when taking more than one course per semester.
Two courses cost $562, three courses cost $833, four courses cost $1104.
It is possible that I might take a course in the Spring, 2007, semester, as Arlington Bible College is only about a 35 minute drive from my home. Classes run from 6:15 to 9:15 PM, with a half hour chapel and break period per evening.
I do quite a bit of work on the computer, both in my job and at home.
There are some fantastic software programs out there which can aid in any field. The area of bible study is one such field. The bible (including many different translations) is available in many different software packages. Some are commercial programs such as Quick Verse; while others are free, such as eSword.
These bible programs often include various commentaries, including many of the well known commentaries.
The Preacher Outline & Sermon Bible (see graphic on right side of blog) is one of my favorite resources. I can't go as far as to call it a 'bible'; in my view it is more of a commentary. It does an excellent job of explaining many of the verses and providing thought provoking questions. They also have a product called The Teacher's Outline & Sermon Bible. Both come in either the KJV or NIV.
This page gives some links to viewing and downloading small sample portions.
I was able to get a 30 day trial subscription to a software based version of this product and put it to the test over the last few days.
While I liked being able to have 'everything' right in front of me on the computer, I just didn't care as much for it, as having the actual books. I must be showing my age. To me, nothing still beats the printed word.
I don't want to go into all of the different offers for Old Testament, New Testament, and combined offers. Let me keep it simple.
New Testament CD version: $249.95
New Testament 3 vol hardbound version in slipcase: $339.99
New Testament 14 vol softbound version: $429.99
New Testament - 14 vol - Loose Leaf Set - $514.99
Regardless of what you purchase, all of the above contains the same material. The 3 version hardbound in slipcase is the best price for the printed version at $339.99; with the 14 vol softcover set costing $90 more. At $514.99, the 14 vol loose leaf version is the most expensive.
However, from my way of thinking it is the best version to get. Either of the other printed versions are bound; however, with the loose leaf version you can grab your 3 hole punch and add addtional pages of notes.
Years ago, I had one of the books (Romans, I believe), in the loose leaf format. (Don't ask me where it is now, as I don't want to get into that!). Last year I bought Acts in the paperback version.
The company website sells each looseleaf volume for $42.99 or the complete set for $514.99
The softbound versions sell for $35.99 each or $429.99 for the entire set.
It is interesting to note that over at the Christian Book Clearinghouse (CBC), they are selling the softbound versions for $18.99 each (only NIV version is available). However, it doesn't look like they have all the volumes for sale. If they did you could get the 14 volume set for $265.86 which would be a great price - only slightly more than the CD software version.
Another bible college in the greater Baltimore area is Arlington Bible College & Institute, located in Baltimore County. Their website leaves a lot to be desired.
Sponsored by Arlington Baptist Church, they also support a complete education system through the 12th grade.
They are licensed by the State of Maryland to grant religious degrees, and you can earn an A.A. or B.A. degree in Biblical Studies.
You can not determine any tuition charges from their website. You have to phone them for information and to have a complete catalog and application sent.
One thing I did notice is that they have a nice selection of independent study courses for persons who are unable to attend regular sessions. These are all 3 credit hour courses and include:
Bi470 - Ezra and Nehemiah
Bi472 - Historical Books
Bi473 - Ecclesiastes
Bi474 - Minor Prophets
Bi475 - Spiritual Leadership
Bi476 - Gospel of Matthew
Bi477 - Gospel of Mark
Bi478 - Gospel of Luke
Bi479 - Parables of Jesus
Bi480 - I and II Peter
Bi481 - Discipleship
Bi482 - Philosophy of Christian Growth
Bi483 - Holiness: Dream or Reality
Bi484 - Godliness: Principle or Practice
Bi485 - Beatitudes
Bi486 - I & II Samuel & I Chronicles
Bi487 - I & II Kings & II Chronicles
Bi488 - Spiritual Discipleship
Bi489 - Angels and Demonology
Bi490 - Epistle of James
Bi491 - Philippians
Bi492 - Study in Missions
Living in the greater Baltimore area, I've checked to see what might be available in the way of bible schools.
Of course, there is a big difference in any bible school. Some are very informal without degrees being offered; others give various degrees ranging from bachelors to masters to doctorate degrees.
I've come across two that have been around for quite a long time.
The first is the Baltimore School of the Bible, Inc. Founded in 1931, it has been around a long time. Many years ago I signed up for classes, but was only able to attend a few sessions before work responsibilites interfered.
Here is their Doctrinal Statement
DOCTRINAL STATEMENT
To insure the doctrinal integrity of the School, each faculty member and each member of the Board of Directors is required to sign annually the following doctrinal statement:
I. We believe in the Scriptures of the Old and New Testament as verbally inspired of God, and inerrant in the original writings and that they are of supreme and final authority in faith and life.
II. We believe in one God, eternally existing in Three Persons, Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
III. We believe that Jesus Christ was begotten by the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary, and is true God and true man.
IV. We believe that man was created in the image of God, that he sinned and thereby incurred not only physical death but also that spiritual death which is separation from God; and that all human beings are born with a sinful nature, and, in case of those who reach moral responsibility, become sinners in thought, word, and deed.
V. We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, as a representative and substitutionary sacrifice; and that all who believe in Him are justified on the ground of His shed blood.
VI. We believe in the resurrection of the crucified body of our Lord, in His ascension into heaven, and in His present life there for us as High Priest and Advocate.
VII. We believe in "that blessed hope," the personal, pre-millennial and imminent return of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
VIII. We believe that all who receive by faith the Lord Jesus Christ are "born again" of the Holy Spirit and thereby become children of God.
IX. We believe in the bodily resurrection of the just and the unjust, the everlasting blessedness of the saved, and the everlasting conscious punishment of the lost.
Their tuition is only $40 per year, plus the cost of books. You can't beat that.
There 3 year program is below:
GENERAL BIBLE COURSE (Baltimore School of the Bible Diploma) (36 credits) This course is designed to give the student a real working knowledge of the Word of God, thus to prepare him for competent work in his own church or wherever our Lord may lead. Upon completion with 36 credits of the required classes, the student is awarded the Baltimore School of the Bible Diploma and ETA certificates.
FIRST YEAR
New Testament Survey
Bible Introduction
Romans
Doctrine I
Christian Evidences / Prophecy I
John
SECOND YEAR
Doctrine II
Pauline Epistles II
Christian Life / Evangelism
Old Testament Survey I
Synoptic Gospels
Pauline Epistles I
THIRD YEAR
Missions
General Epistles
Teacher Training I and II
Hebrews
Old Testament Survey II
Acts
The Baltimore School of the Bible, Inc. has three locations. Not all courses are taught at each location.
Classes are held on Monday and Tuesday evenings with three classes on each night. Classes begin at 7:15 PM, followed by another class at 8:00, chapel at 8:45, with the final class from 9:00 to 9:45.
Note: This was originally posted on my personal blog in December, 2005.
Last night, Nora, went to a concert with some friends. I was able to spend quite a bit of time in bible study.
The last few weeks have been hectic, as I've been downloading and installing various bible software programs and aids. It's taken some time to get everything set up and configured on my computer.
Last evening, I browsed through Sermon Audio.com huge listing of sermons. I picked out several that interested me for one reason or another and download them. In all, I downloaded 58 sermons (355 megs).
In many cases I listened to a small portion of the sermon before downloading to determine that the sound quality was good and that I could understand the preacher.
Downloads are totally free. For $4.95 a month you can install software and have your computer download a complete series of sermons in mp3 format. The mp3 size went anywhere from 3.34 megs to 9.97 megs.
Today, I will cut a CD.
Note: This was originally posted on my personal website in December, 2005.
Sermon Audio.com is a pretty neat website.
They have tons of sermons you can download (free) to your computer. The sermons are available in a variety of formats.
You can even pay a few bucks a month and download in mass. Even if you don't subscribe, you can still download anything you want. Some of the sermons are short, others are very long. The mp3 versions seem to be very popular.
You can search for sermons on any particular preacher, verse of the bible, topic, etc.
The Cardinals meet tomorrow to begin selection on a new Pope. I wonder who they'll select?
I'm betting it will be an Italian. It will definately not be an American. We are the leading political and military power in the world. There is no way they'll turn over the supreme religious authority to us.
There's been talk of someone from Africa, Asia, or South America. I just don't see that happening right now.
However, I could be wrong. In any event, he'll have his work cut out for him. There are many areas of concern - priest marrying, women in leadership positions, the molestation issues, birth control, abortion. Most areas will probably be left alone and not touched.
I understand there is a movement to make John Paul II a saint.