OT Survey Lecture 3: Survey of Resources Bible Ministry Training BtP 9.24.2024

1 Why now?

1.1 I am a Bibliography first reader. I like to know what resources have influenced an author. So discussing this now fits my basic inclination.

1.2 I want you to be able to access and use some of these resources outside of class over the next several weeks.

2 How to build your Biblical Studies Library

2.1 Overview…We now use screens.

2.1.1 Web Bibles

2.1.1.1 https://www.stepbible.org/

2.1.1.2 Blue Letter Bible

2.1.1.3 Bible Gateway

2.1.1.4 Issues...

Old, public domain resources-often even at the paid level. (Also an issue with free Bible Programs…You get what you pay for.)

Better for reading than “study”.

2.1.2 Bible Software

What few remain

Accordance Bible Software

https://www.accordancebible.com/

Olive Tree Bible Reader

https://www.olivetree.com/

Logos Bible Software

https://www.logos.com/

About “free” options like E-sword.

Professionals use professional tools. If you are in this for the long haul don’t cripple yourself trying to “make do” with old, outdated resources. Many of us, spent much of our ministries trying to work that way and it is a headache. Buy the best you can, according to your budget. It is better to have one of the top commentaries rather than several which ranked below it. You will find that most of the secondary and tertiary commentaries quote from or base their arguments on the best.

You get what you pay for. (Contemporary tools under copyright will cost roughly the same amount regardless of the application. Companies or republishers largely have to pay the same licensing fee.

Choosing

Your skill level, both using software products and capacities in Biblical languages and previous level of study.

Platform: Mac, Windows, Ios, Android/Chrome.

Interface: Some are more complex than others—even more complex than they think they are.

Resources

Number

Cost

“Marketing”

2.2 Reference Materials

2.2.1 Handbooks

2.2.1.1 Largely supplanted by tools in most Bible Software/web-sites

Halley’s Bible Handbook

2.2.2 Dictionaries

Logos=Most levels come with Lexham Dictionaries which are an excellent resource.

Baker/Holman/Harper Dictionaries

IVP Dictionaries

Yale/Anchor Bible Dictionary*

2.2.3 Encyclopedias

International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

Baker Encyclopedia of the Bible

Yale/Anchor Bible Dictionary

2.2.4 Surveys & Introductions

Surveys tend to be more elementary dealing with factual questions of content. Introductions deal with Critical questions (Authorship, Sources, Audience etc.)

2.2.4.1 Survey’s

Archer, Gleason L. A Survey of Old Testament Introduction. Rev. ed. Chicago: Moody Press, 1974.

Longman, Tremper. Introducing the Old Testament: A Short Guide to Its History and Message. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2012. (recommended)

Mangano, Mark, ed. College Press NIV Commentary Old Testament Introduction. Joplin, Mo: College Press Pub, 2005. (recommended)

2.2.4.2 Introductions

Harrison, R. K. Introduction to the Old Testament with a comprehensive review of Old Testament studies and a special supplement on the apocrypha. 3. Aufl. Grand Rapids, Mich: Eerdmans, 1973. (Long in the tooth, but recommended for depth of detail)

Young, Edward J. An Introduction to the Old Testament. Grand Rapids, Mich: W. B. Eerdmans, 1977. (very old but still solid)

IVP Old Testament Dictionaries

2.2.5 Specialist Literature

Language skills and development.

Bible Words and meanings.

Theological concepts.

Literary Concepts.

2.3 Commentaries

2.3.1 One Volume

Carson, D. A., R. T. France, J. A. Motyer, and G. J. Wenham, eds. New Bible Commentary: 21st Century Edition. 4th ed. Leicester, England; Downers Grove, IL: Inter-Varsity Press, 1994.

2.3.3 Comprehensive sets

IVP Commentaries on Old Testament

Kidner, Derek. Genesis: An Introduction and Commentary. Vol. 1 of Tyndale Old Testament Commentaries. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1967.

Most Sets are of uneven quality.

Quality is often dependent on design, editorial strategy, and continuity strategy.

It is best to buy the most recent volumes.

I would recommend https://bestcommentaries.com/

as the place to start when beginning a new preaching project. They evaluate commentaries by a number of different categories (scholarly vs. practical) and by availability (Logos, Accordance, Olive Tree, CBD).

2.4 Studies

Dever, William, What did the Biblical Authors Know and When Did They Know It?: What Archaeology Can Tell Us about the Reality of Ancient Israel. Grand Rapids, Mich.: William B. Eerdamans, 2002.

Campbell, Antony F., and Mark A. O’Brien. Unfolding the Deuteronomistic History: Origins, Upgrades, Present Text. Minneapolis: Fortress Press, 2000.