Discover - How the springs at Hierapolis help us understand why Jesus described the church at Laodicea as 'lukewarm' - The background and circumstances of certificates of divorce in Judaism - How Jewish dietary laws provided a powerful metaphor for God's acceptance of the Gentiles Brimming with lavish, full-color photos and graphics, the Zondervan Illustrated Bible Backgrounds Commentary walks you verse by verse through all the books of the New Testament. It's like slipping on a set of glasses that lets you read the Bible through the eyes of a first-century reader! Discoveries await you that will snap the world of the New Testament into gripping immediacy. Things that seem mystifying, puzzling, or obscure will take on tremendous meaning when you view them in their ancient context. You'll deepen your understanding of the teachings of Jesus. You'll discover the close, sometimes startling interplay between God's kingdom and the practical affairs of the church. Best of all, you'll gain a deepened awareness of the Bible's relevance for your life. Written in a clear, engaging style, this beautiful set provides a new and accessible approach that more technical expository and exegetical commentaries don't offer. It features: - Commentary based on relevant papyri, inscriptions, archaeological discoveries, and studies of Judaism, Roman culture, Hellenism, and other features of the world of the New Testament - Hundreds of full-color photographs, color illustrations, and line drawings - Copious maps, charts, and timelines - Sidebar articles and insights - 'Reflections' on the Bible's relevance for 21st-century living Written by leading evangelical contributors: Clinton E. Arnold (Ph.D., University of Aberdeen), General Editor S. M. Baugh (Ph.D., University of California, Irvine) Peter H. Davids (Ph.D., University of Manchester) David E. Garland (Ph.D., Southern Baptist Theological Seminary) David W. J. Gill (D.Phil., University of Oxford) George H. Guthrie (Ph.D., Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary) Moyer V. Hubbard (D.Phil., University of Oxford) Andreas J. K stenberger (Ph.D., Trinity Evangelical Divinity School) Ralph P. Martin (Ph.D., University of London, King's College) Douglas J. Moo (Ph.D., University of St. Andrews) Mark L. Strauss (Ph.D., University of Aberdeen) Frank Thielman (Ph.D., Duke University) Jeffrey A. D. Weima (Ph.D., University of Toronto) Michael J. Wilkins (Ph.D., Fuller Theological Seminary) Mark W. Wilson (D.Litt. et Phil., University of South Africa) Julie L. Wu (Ph.D., Fuller Theological Seminary) Robert W. Yarbrough (Ph.D., University of Aberdeen) Zondervan Illustrated Bible Backgrounds Commentary includes Matthew, Mark, Luke (Volume One) John, Acts (Volume Two) Romans to Philemon (Volume Three) Hebrews to Revelation (Volume Four)
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Bible Backgrounds Commentary Essential Historical Understanding, October 16, 2008
Michael Felt (Anaheim, CA United States) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Illustrated Bible Backgrounds Commentary, Vol. 3: Romans to Philemon (Hardcover)
I had the privilege of taking a New Testament exegesis course from Clint Arnold. He's the kind of man who is always smiling and is always joyful. He's also a brilliant scholar.
The Bible Backgrounds Commentary is exactly that: rather than approaching a Book of the Bible from either a strictly theological or strictly historical perspective, it attempts to provide insight into meaning by providing a detailed picture of the New Testament world as it applies on a passage by passage basis. Hence it is a commentary from a primarily historical perspective. What was the Palestinian world like in Jesus' day? What was the Roman world like in Paul's time? How would seeing that world with our own eyes better help us understand their messages? What underlying historical issues help us better understand the text?
The 4 volume series is a treasure trove revealing the ancient world, and helping readers better understand the Bible, the people whose stories are found in it,...Read more
Great Supplemental Commentary, October 22, 2010
James H. Lockhart "Jim Lockhart" (Norman, OK USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Illustrated Bible Backgrounds Commentary, Vol. 3: Romans to Philemon (Hardcover)
I have a lot of written commentaries but this commentary fills a big hole. First, it is visual which makes the subject come alive other than in your imagination. Second, it is filled with a lot of short, incisive facts that enhance the more detailed, word-driven commentaries. I can honestly say I learn something each time I refer to it. It has made my study of the New Testament much richer and much more fun.