The title character of the book of Job suffers terribly- but we should not mistakenly think that this book is just about Job. It is about all of us- and ultimately about God.Many have thought that the book simply restates the perennial questions that plague humankind in a world full of suffering. But often our questions are too limited- and we must learn to ask better questions so that we might…
The books of Jeremiah and Lamentations cannot be separated from the political conditions of ancient Judah. Beginning with the righteous king Josiah- who ushered in a time of glorious but brief religious reform- Jeremiah reflects the close tie between spiritual and political prosperity or disaster- between the actions and heart of Judah and her kings and their fortunes as a nation. While few of …
Scratch beneath the surface of today s culture and you ll find we re not so different from ancient Israel. True- our sophistication- mobility- and technology eclipse anything the Israelites could have imagined. Our worship is far different- to say nothing of our language and customs. Yet if the prophets Hosea- Amos- and Micah were to visit us today- we might be shocked to see how little their m…
Most Bible commentaries take us on a one-way trip from the twentieth century to the first century. But they leave us there- assuming that we can somehow make the return journey on our own. In other words- they focus on the original meaning of the passage but don't discuss its contemporary application. The information they offer is valuable but the job is only half done! The NIV Application …
Presents a commentary on 'Ecclesiastes'. This title considers literary- historical- and grammatical dimensions of the text- offering theological reflection.
One of the 1998 Academy of Parish Clergy Top Ten Books of the Year! Voted one of Christianity Today's 1998 Books of the Year! The third of IVP's critically acclaimed series of dictionaries of the New Testament provides focused study on the often-neglected portions of the New Testament: Acts- Hebrews- the General Epistles and Revelation. Furthermore- its scope goes beyond the life of the New Tes…
Most Bible commentaries take us on a one-way trip from the twentieth century to the first century. But they leave us there- assuming that we can somehow make the return journey on our own. In other words- they focus on the original meaning of the passage but don't discuss its contemporary application. The information they offer is valuable -- but the job is only half done! The NIV Application C…
The Chronicles are more than a history of ancient Israel under the ascent and rule of the Davidic dynasty. They are a story whose grand theme is hope. Great battles are fought- heroes and tyrants vie for power- Israel splits into rival kingdoms- and the soul of God s holy nation oscillates between faithlessness and revival. Yet above this tossing sea of human events- God s covenant promises rei…
1 and 2 Thessalonians- which is part of the NIV Application Commentary Series- helps readers learn how the message of those letters can have the same powerful impact today that they did when first written.