Category: Book deals

The Reformation Heritage KJV Study Bible

~ Bob Hayton ~ Leave a comment

A few years back Reformation Heritage Books released The Reformation Heritage KJV Study Bible. Its general editor is Joel R. Beeke, with Michael P.V. Barrett and Gerald M. Bilkes as OT and NT editors, respectively. This study Bible brings together study notes in the Reformed tradition with the text of the most lasting translation from the era of the Reformation, the King James Bible.

Reformation Heritage has a special right now on all copies of this Bible (as much as 50% off) – including large print and leather versions. Click for details.

This study Bible includes introductions to each book of the Bible and each main division of books. Study notes typically take up around 1/4 of the page, and include a notable feature: “thoughts for personal/family worship” from each chapter. Also included are doctrinal articles and essays on practical Christian living from a Reformed perspective, along with the text of several influential early church creeds and Reformation-era confessions and catechisms. The list of such documents includes the Nicene Creed, the Belgic Confession, the Canons of Dort, and the Westminster Confession of Faith among others. Instead of the King James Translators’ Preface, this study Bible includes a look at the King James Version’s tradition, text and translation. This is essentially a defense of the superiority of the King James Bible while stopping short of declaring it as the only acceptable Bible. The editors admit, “Others who believe in inspiration and preservation as dogmatically as we have a different opinion as to how and where God preserved His Word.”

This study Bible is nicely formatted and easy to read, and I have no doubt that the devotional and study helps included are excellent in the whole. The one draw back in my view, is that it does not preserve the footnotes from the 1611 King James version – but in that respect, it follows the majority of King James Bibles published today. Unfortunately, this leads modern readers to assume that the King James text is more settled than that of the modern versions since the KJV does not resort to footnotes to record the literal Greek or Hebrew meaning, offer an alternate translation or mention that some manuscripts have a different reading. Unfortunately, that is a wrong assumption since the King James translators do all of those things in the dozens of footnotes included in their original 1611 translation. Reading the translators themselves on the topic of Bible translation (by reading their preface) is quite instructive and highlights the challenge facing all Bible translators, and once more I lament that the preface was not included in this KJV study Bible.

That said, this is a helpful tool and worthy of inclusion on your study shelf. The King James Version is still used today in large part because it was such a good translation and it merits careful study, even today.

Pick up a copy of this book at any of the following online retailers:
Westminster Bookstore, Amazon, ChristianBook.com, or direct from Reformation Heritage Books.

Disclaimer: This book was provided by the publisher. The reviewer was under no obligation to offer a positive review.

About Book Briefs: Book Briefs are book notes, or short-form book reviews. They are my informed evaluation of a book, but stop short of being a full-length book review.

Collection of Historic Bibles from Hendrickson (Daily Deal)

~ Bob Hayton ~ Leave a comment

Hendrickson Publishers produces an excellent collection of historic Bibles. I have enjoyed owning and showcasing their reproductions of the 1537 Matthew’s Bible, the 1560 Geneva Bible, and the 1526 Tyndale New Testament. All these Bibles plus a 400th Anniversary edition of a 1611 King James Version Bible are now available as a collection for more than half off. All four are available for $99.99 on a limited deal (This deal is available this week only – at that price). This is a savings of nearly $130!

The 1526 Tyndale New Testament is a full color copy of one of two surviving 1526 original New Testaments. The quality is excellent and interested readers will note a different order of the books of the Bible as well as the lack of verses (as verses originated for the New Testament in 1551 from Robert Stephanus’s Greek New Testament). Beautiful illustrations abound as do notes from the translator. This edition includes Tyndale’s “To the Reader” as well as an introduction from David Daniell, a Tyndale biographer.

The 1537 Matthew’s Bible uses the original black letter, block style, heavy font that is difficult to read. I believe the size is scaled down from the original but still larger than the 1526 NT size. This one includes some introductory information as well, and is fascinating to page through – just due to the black letter font alone.

The 1560 Geneva Bible is prized for its extensive commentary in the study notes. The maps are a look back into history. This version, like the others above, is a facsimile. This one uses Roman font which is much more readable.

The 400th Anniversary KJV Bible included in this set is something I don’t possess. It does include the Apocrypha from what I can make out, which is great (since some 1611 edition KJBs inexplicably leave it out). This edition also leaves out some of the original introductory pages, church calendar and genealogy information, and much of the artwork (as per some reviews of this that I have seen). It does preserve the original words and spelling of the 1611 King James Version and I assume it has the marginal notes as well (which are missing from the average King James Bible still in use today).

All in all, this is an excellent price for a great set of Bibles that will give a perspective on the history of our English Bible. Take advantage of this deal today!

For more on historic Bibles: I recommend A Visual History of the King James Bible (and its companion A Visual History of the English Bible). Also I have a review of Zondervan’s 400th Anniversary edition here (although my favorite is the Thomas Nelson 1611 edition that unfortunately leaves out the Apocrypha and seems to be out of print).

In the Box: New Titles from Hendrickson & IVP

~ Bob Hayton ~ Leave a comment

“In the Box” posts highlight new books I’ve received in the mail.

I periodically showcase new titles that arrive at my doorstep in posts like this. Today’s post highlights two books that will be of special interest to those interested in Reformed theology. The other book will be appreciated by those who know Koine Greek and Hebrew. So this is a post for armchair theology geeks like me!

The Sacrifice of Praise by Herman Bavinck, translated and edited by Cameron Clausing & Gregory Parker Jr. (Hendrickson)

Bavinck is a Dutch Reformed theologian who died about one hundred years ago. This book is an updated English translation of the Dutch original. I believe it is taken from exhortations given at communion and stresses the importance of a public confession of faith. It comes with recommendations from Kevin DeYoung, Carl Trueman, David F. Wells and others. I’m looking forward to interacting with Bavinck directly thanks to this handy little volume.

To learn more about this book, check out the product page at Hendrickson. This book is currently 50% off at Westminster Bookstore (now through June 4, 2019). You can purchase this book at Amazon, Christianbook.com, Westminster Bookstore, or direct from Hendrickson Publishers.

The Complete Hebrew-Greek Bible (Hendrickson)

I love the idea of the Greek and Hebrew together in one volume and this volume provides this handy feature. The text is somewhat dated however. The Greek text is Brooke Foss Westcott’s and Fenton John Anthony Hort’s ground-breaking work from 1881. The critical study of the Greek text has progressed since their day however. This is reflected in a helpful apparatus that compares Robinson Pierpont and Nestle Aland’s texts with Westcott and Hort’s. The Hebrew text is Biblia Hebraica Leningradensia (BHL) and not the current standard BHS text. But there are helpful appendices that discuss the Hebrew text (the work of professor Aron Dotan). I am eager to dive in and see how helpful the tools are that accompany this text as I plan on reviewing this work in the near future.

To learn more about this volume, check out the book’s product page at Amazon, Christianbook.com, or direct from Hendrickson Publishers.

The Reformation and the Irrepressible Word of God: Interpretation, Theology, and Practice edited by Scott M. Manetsch (IVP Academic)

This book is a collection of essays offered in celebration of the 500th anniversary of the Protestant Reformation. Contributions come from such authors as Michael Haykin, Kevin DeYoung, Michael Horton, and Timothy George. The focus is on the Word of God and the essays “consider historical, hermeneutical, theological, and practical issues regarding the Bible” (quote from the publisher’s description). The title of Haykin’s chapter has me especially intrigued: “‘Meat, Not Strawberries’: Hugh Latimer and Biblical Preaching in the English Reformation.” I look forward to delving into this title sometime this summer.

To learn more about this book, check out the product page at IVP Academic. This book is currently 50% off at Westminster Bookstore (now through June 4, 2019). You can purchase this book at Amazon, Christianbook.com, Westminster Bookstore, or direct from IVP Academic.

Disclaimer: My thanks go out to both Hendrickson Publishers and IVP for review copies of these titles.

Great Deal on 2 Excellent Guides to Understanding & Applying the Bible

~ Bob Hayton ~ Leave a comment

Westminster Bookstore has a great deal on a pair of highly recommended resources for Bible study. How to Understand and Apply the Old Testament by Jason S. DeRouchie and How to Understand and Apply the New Testament by Andrew D. Naselli are new titles from P & R Publishing.

This pair of books both include forewords by D.A. Carson, and each author is a professor at Bethlehem College and Seminary, Minneapolis, MN, founded by John Piper. DeRouchie is Professor of OT and Biblical Theology, and Naselli is Assistant Professor of NT and Theology.

These tools cover everything needed to go from biblical text to Bible lesson or Sunday morning sermon: understanding genre and literary units, delving into textual variants and Bible translation, diagramming/bracketing the passage looking for semantic relationships, word and concept studies, understanding historical and literary contexts, and reviewing biblical and systematic theology implications. The books are written with lay church leaders in mind, avoiding technical jargon wherever possible.

Here is a full description of the books with many of the numerous book endorsements from church leaders. The sale is 45% off individual volumes ($22) and 50% off the set ($40). This fantastic deal ends April 11, 2017.

Two Great Books on Preaching, One Great Price

~ Bob Hayton

Preaching_Keller    Him We Proclaim: Preaching Christ from All the Scriptures by Dennis E. JohnsonAny book by Timothy Keller is worth reading! His books communicate well, are designed for a wide audience, and have the weight of years of pastoral ministry in the heart of New York City behind them. So I am eager to get my hands on his new book on preaching (Viking, 2015). It’s subtitle practically sells the book: “Communicating Faith in an Age of Skepticism.”

Westminster Bookstore has the book available at almost half off: $17, now through June 16.  And they have a special deal on this book paired with another helpful book on preaching: Him We Proclaim: Preaching Christ From All of the Scriptures by Dennis Johnson (P & R, 2007).

For just $30, you can get both books, along with a smaller booklet of one of Keller’s sermons.

For more on Dennis Johnson’s book, check out my review. I highly recommend that title. Together, the two books should help provide a crash course on effective preaching and bless many pastors and lay teachers. Take advantage of this special, now through June 16!