Highly Recommended Commentary: Judges by Dale Ralph Davis

Dale Ralph Davis. Judges: Such a Great Salvation.  Ross-Shire, UK: Christian Focus Publications, March 20^th, 2006. 240 pp.

Rating: 5 out of 5

This was a very edifying and enjoyable bible commentary through the book of Judges.  The work is authored by Dale Ralph Davis who previously was a professor of the Old Testament at Reformed Theological Seminary (RTS).  This is an outstanding work that helps explain what is going on in the book of Judges.  The commentary divides Judges into three parts with a total of twenty one chapters.  I think anyone who is studying the book of Judge will find this commentary as an indispensable resource.  The great thing about the way the author writes is that it is accessible for preachers as well as the person in the pew.  I learned a lot from reading this book and below are some of the highlights:

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Bible Contradiction? How did David kill Goliath? And did he killed him twice?

This post is probably more technical than some of the other responses we wrote answering alleged Bible contradiction but I think it is helpful in demonstrating how a working knowledge of the original language of Scripture is helpful and important.

Today’s post will tackle the question that the Skeptic Annotated Bible pose: “How did David kill Goliath?”

Here’s the two answer they pointed out in which their point is that there is a contradiction:

With a sling only.

(“There was no sword in the had of David.”)

And David put his hand into his bag and took from it a stone and slung it, and struck the Philistine on his forehead. And the stone sank into his forehead, so that he fell on his face to the ground. 50 Thus David prevailed over the Philistine with a sling and a stone, and he struck the Philistine and killed him; but there was no sword in David’s hand. (1 Samuel 17:49-50)

He cut off his head with a sword.

Then David ran and stood over the Philistine and took his sword and drew it out of its sheath and killed him, and cut off his head with it. When the Philistines saw that their champion was dead, they fled. (1 Samuel 17:51)

(Note: Scriptural quotation comes from the New American Standard Bible.  What is in bold is the emphasis by the skeptic webpage.)

Also the website also asked “Or did he kill him twice?”

Let’s take a closer look at whether or not there is a contradiction:

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Reading the Bible in Context from Eternity Matters

I’m behind working on a post dealing with a Bible contradiction which hopefully I would post tommorow or Monday.

For now I thought I share this video that was taught by our brother who blogs at Eternity Matters on the topic of reading the Bible in Context.

He has posted this on Vimeo:

Enjoy!

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Free PDF Book! Reading the Word of God in the Presence of God by Vern Poythress

So many free books online these days, Christians have no excuse not to read and grow!  Here’s another one that was made available free yesterday!

New Testament scholar (among other things!) Vern Poythress has published a book earlier this year titled “Reading the Word of God in the Presence of God.”  It’s subtitle is “A Handbook for Biblical Interpretation.”

Here’s the book’s description:

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Bible Contradiction? Does God sleep?

The question that the Skeptic Annotated Bible pose is this: “Does God sleep?”

According to the Skeptic Annotated Bible this is the answer they gave which supposedly indicates a contradiction:

God never sleeps.

He will not allow your foot to slip; He who keeps you will not slumber. Behold, He who keeps Israel Will neither slumber nor sleep. (Psalm 121:3-4)

God sometimes sleeps.

Arouse Yourself, why do You sleep, O Lord? Awake, do not reject us forever. (Psalm 44:23)

(Note: Scriptural quotation comes from the New American Standard Bible.  What is in bold is the emphasis by the skeptic webpage.)

Let’s take a closer look at whether or not there is a contradiction:

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Review: Interpreting the Historical Books: An Exegetical Handbook

Robert B. Chisholm Jr. Interpreting the Historical Books: An Exegetical Handbook.  Grand Rapids: Kregel Publications, December 1^st,  2006. 231 pp.

This book exceeded my expectation.  I really enjoyed this book on interpreting the historical narratives found in the Old Testament.  Some people might not think of hermeneutics as “fun” but this really was fun to read.  It was also helpful for me too.  I think the book was a rare combination of being meaty and yet insightful into the Scriptures that makes readers excited to want to read the Old Testament.

The book is divided into six chapters.  The first chapter focuses on what is narrative literature with the breakdown on what are the elements of narratives and interpretative principles that are conscious of them.  The second chapter is on the primary themes of the historical books while the third chapter is on the preparing for interpretation.  Chapter four is titled “interpreting narrative texts,” chapter five is “proclaiming narrative text” and chapter six is “From Text to Application: Two Samples.”

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D. A. Carson Sermons : Subtle Ways to Abandon the Authority of Scripture

Christians must pay attention to the subtle way one can abandon the authority of Scripture.

Here’s a message from New Testament Scholar Don Carson:

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