INTRODUCTION TO BIBLICAL STUDIES
COURSE SYLLABUS
Zion Bible College
MF1212-01- 2 Credits
Spring 2011
Wednesdays, 1:45 PM  3:35 PM – Classroom Building 213
David L. Ricci, MAOT, Assistant Professor
Office: Classroom Bldg. 211
Office Phone: 978.478.3458
E-mail: dricci@zbc.edu
Tuesdays, 1:00 PM – 1:30 PM; 3:45 – 4:15 PM
Wednesdays, 12:45 PM – 1:30 PM
Thursdays, 12:45 PM – 1:30 PM
Zion’s mission is to teach and train students for Excellent Pentecostal ministry, in fulfillment of
the Great Commission.
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
This course lays a foundation for biblical studies as a discipline. It will first provide an
introduction to the Bible itself, to hermeneutics, to the basic tools for biblical research, including
Bible translations, commentaries, lexicons, Bible dictionaries, and Bible software. It then
demonstrates the usefulness of these tools as part of one’s methodology for evaluating both
popular and scholarly works’ validity for use in both research and preaching. Finally, a brief
introduction to the biblical languages as a research tool will be provided, with a focus on proper,
original language word study.
COURSE OBJECTIVES:
The student will:
1. Review the revelation, inspiration, and canonization of the Scriptures
2. Name the various available Bible translations and be introduced to the history of the English
Bible
3. Become acquainted with and utilize lexicons, Bible dictionaries, commentaries and other
secondary sources, both printed and electronic, for interpreting the biblical text
4. Develop a methodology for critically evaluating both popular and scholarly resources in
order to investigate their validity for use in research and preaching
5. Reproduce the 24 letters of the Greek alphabet and learn some basic facts about Greek
grammar
6. Reproduce the 23 consonants of the Hebrew Alphabet and learn some basic facts about
Hebrew grammar
7. Become familiar with word study methodology and do an original language (Greek or
Hebrew) word study
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TEXTBOOKS:
The Holy Bible Recommendations: NKJV, NASB, ESV, NIV, NLT
Geisler, Norman L., and William E. Nix. From God to Us: How we got our Bible. Chicago:
Moody Press, 1974.
Fee, Gordon D., and Douglas Stuart. How to Read the Bible for All Its Worth. 3rd ed. Grand
Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House, 2003.
REQUIREMENTS:
1. Examinations:
a. There will be a midterm examination on March 23
b. A final examination will be administered during Finals’ Week. The final
examination will be somewhat comprehensive.
2. Quizzes:
a. Four (4) announced quizzes are scheduled.
b. There may one or two unannounced quizzes.
3. Reading Assignment: The reading deadline is broken in two. Geisler & Nix must be
read by the midterm, and Fee & Stuart must be read by the final. Both textbooks must be
read in their entirety (except for pages 139-240 in Geisler & Nix [147 pages total], and
pages 11-16, 107-124 and 276-287 in Fee & Stuart [251 pages total]). The reading for
this class is therefore 398 pages. Verification of the completion of this assignment will be
required at the time of the respective examinations, when each student will answer a
verification question. Again, Geisler & Nix must be read for the midterm, and Fee and
Stuart must be completed for the final. Come to both exams perfectly prepared to answer
the reading verification question. This is your responsibility. Reading is all or nothing.
4. Paper: A 3-4 page Greek word study is required; a handout will be provided
5. DVD Viewing: There will be one DVD reviewing.
 Attendance: Attendance is required for the DVD viewing as for a test; the only
exceptions are those four stipulated above under “Paper Due Date Grading.” (-2
pts of final grade if missed)
GRADING PROCEDURES:
Reading……………………………………10%
Word Study………………..………………10%
Quizzes…………………………………….20%
DVD Viewing……………………………..2%
Midterm Examination…………………..…25%
Final Examination…………………………33%
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POLICIES:
Attendance: Students are expected to attend all class periods. Please be aware that absences are
granted for illness, personal matters, or for emergencies. It is important for students to keep
track of their own absences and late arrivals carefully. Please see the Student Handbook for the
Absence Policy. There will be a very short break mid-class, students are expected to remain in
class at other times except for medical reasons.
If a student arrives late to class it is their responsibility to inform the teacher after class that they
are present. Otherwise they may be marked absent for the class. It is a good idea to date your
notes each class in case attendance discrepancies should arise.
Examinations: Any missed exam may be made up if the exam was missed due to illness or other
excused absence (see Student Handbook). A make-up exam will also be allowed if the
circumstances are urgent and approved by the instructor prior to the exam.
Plagiarism: A student who submits written material as his/her own work which has been copied
in whole or in part from another person’s work without acknowledgement is guilty of plagiarism.
Material, whether published or unpublished, copied from another writer, must be identified by
the use of quotation marks and documentation with specific citation of the source. Paraphrased
material must likewise be attributed to the origin author. Copying another student’s paper, with
or without permission, or using his/her ideas with only minimal reworking, is plagiarism, as is
the copying from printed books and magazines without giving credit to the original source. Any
student who submits a plagiarized paper or who permits another person to copy his/her work is
subject to any of the following actions: a grade of “zero” or “F” for the work, failure in or
expulsion from the class, being reported for further disciplinary action.
Cheating: A student who engages in dishonest behavior such as: using unauthorized notes or
material when taking an examination, copying answers to examination questions, or engaging in
securing unauthorized copies of examination questions (including aiding another person in doing
so), is subject to the action or penalty indicated above. Copying another person’s class work
and/or homework and submitting it as one’s own, or having another person perform an
assignment and submitting it as having originated from themselves personally is guilty of
plagiarism—which is cheating. Such students will therefore be subject to the above discipline.
Faculty members are to submit all such cases on the appropriate “Plagiarism Form” to the Office
of the Dean of Academics. Penalties for plagiarism and cheating include but are not limited to an
“F” for the assignment and/or an “F” for the course. Students should read further in their Student
Handbook.
Paper Due Date Grading: The paper is due at the beginning of class on Wednesday, April 6.
There are no exceptions. Extensions will only be granted for the following four reasons: 1)
hospitalization for illness. A doctor’s note confirming such is required; 2) extended serious
illness that prevents a student from attending class. This requires a doctor’s note and signature
of verification from the student’s Resident Director; 3) funerals or family emergencies granted
as an approved absence by the Academic Dean and Dean of Students; 4) school-approved
activities. If the student meets one of these exceptions, a “Request for Extension Form” must be
filled out. The form can be obtained from the Office of Admissions or the Office of the
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Academic Dean. If your paper is turned in after attendance is taken on April 9, you will receive
an automatic point deduction of five (5) points. For each twenty-four hour period (this includes
Saturday’s, Sunday’s and school breaks) the paper is not turned in, there will be a forfeiture of
five (5) points from the total points. If the paper is not turned in within five twenty-four hour
periods after the due date and time, an automatic score of zero (0) will be entered for the grade
with no chance of making up the paper/grade. If a hard copy cannot be presented by the
specified time and hour, an email copy may be presented for verification of completion with a
hard copy following.
CLASS DEPORTMENT& NECESSITIES:
It is the intention of the Teacher to maintain in the classroom an atmosphere conducive to
learning. Therefore, any behavior, which is deemed to be distracting to the class or other students
will be addressed. Such behavior would include distractions such as passing notes, whispering,
text messaging, going online or any other distracting behavior. Please, no gum chewing. Cell
phones are not permitted to be used in the classroom, nor are students allowed to use a cell phone
during break or before or after class in the classroom; please go outside of the classroom to make
or receive any and all calls. Also, students must sit at their desks in an appropriate manner (not
slouched down).
If a student is late (which should be the exception) he or she is expected to enter the classroom in
a quiet and respectful manner; all inappropriate situations that distract the other students or the
teacher will be addressed (such as walking in front of the teacher, etc.)
Please do not use red pens for anything other than class notes; and no pencils are to be used on a
test
Finally, the student must not begin to pack up before class is formally dismissed by the teacher.
ENCOURAGEMENT:
Each student, however, is free at all times to raise his/her hand in order to ask questions if
something is not clear, or to engage in discussion. Orderly discussion is desired and in fact
essential to the learning process. So please be encouraged to participate by sharing your
questions and views. Moreover, no honest question is a ‘dumb’ question.
COURSE STRUCTURE:
Tentative Schedule (28 hours)
January 19: Course Intro, Syllabus, and Assignments; The Structure of the Bible Part I (7-16 in
Geisler & 8-9, 17-31 in Fee & Stuart)
January 26: The Structure of the Bible Part II
February 2: Quiz #1: Structure & Books of the Bible at 1:45 PM; Revelation and the
Inspiration of Scripture Part I (Read pp. 17-26 & 53-61 in Geisler)
February 9: The Revelation and the of Inspiration Scripture Part II (27-52 in Geisler)
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February 16: Quiz #2: Revelation & Inspiration at 1:45 PM; Introduction to the Greek
Language Part I: The Greek Alphabet; Introduction to the Greek Language Part II: Koine Greek
& Basic Grammar
February 23: Introduction to the Canon of Scripture (62-73 in Geisler); Old Testament Canon
(74-100 in Geisler)
March 2: Quiz #3: Greek Alphabet at 1:45 PM; OT Canon Continued
March 9: Spring Break
March 16: New Testament Canon (101-125 in Geisler); Finish reading Geisler for midterm)
March 23: Midterm at 1:45 PM; Begin reading the rest of Fee & Stuart and finish by the Final
Exam; Word Study Part I: Method (Homework Assignment discussed: Doing a Greek Word
Study)
March 30: Word Study Part II: Word Study Errors; Word Study Part III: Word Study Errors
cont’d.
April 6: Introduction to the Hebrew Language Part I: The Hebrew Alphabet; Introduction to the
Hebrew Language Part II: Basic Grammar; Greek Word Study Due at 1:45 PM
April 13: Study Tools: Bible Dictionaries, Atlases, and especially Commentaries (265-275 in
Fee & Stuart)
April 20: Quiz #4: The Hebrew Alphabet at 1:45 PM; Bible Translation and Modern English
Translations of the Bible (Fee & Stuart, 33-53; Geisler 227-255)
April 27: DVD at 1:45 PM: The Bible: Fable, Fraud or Fact? Notes must be taken and some
questions will appear on the final exam (Attendance Mandatory or 5 pts off final grade);
Modern English Translations cont’d.
May 4-10: Final Exams (Fee & Stuart reading due for final)
*Note: Pages assigned for reading do not exhaust the reading assignment but simply match the
class material for that day. The student is responsible for the entirety of the reading in both books
(the excepted pages not included).
CLASSIFIED & ANNOTATED BIBLIOGRAPHY:
Bible
Introductions, Origin, History and Formation
Arnold, Clinton E., ed. How We Got the Bible: A Visual Journey. Zondervan Visual Reference
Series. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing Company, 2008. [98 pages]
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Bruce, F. F. The Books and the Parchments. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House,
1991.
Comfort, Philip Wesley, ed. The Origin of the Bible. Wheaton, IL: Tyndale House Publishers,
Inc., 1992. [In the library]
Geisler, Norman L. and William E. Nix. A General Introduction to the Bible. Revised and
expanded. Chicago: Moody, 1986. [A useful, conservative work that needs revision]
Lightfoot, Neil R. How We Got the Bible. Revised and expanded. 3rd ed. Grand Rapids, MI:
Baker Books, 2003. [224 pages; 1988 edition is in the library]
Patzia, Arthur G. The Making of the New Testament: Origin, Collection, Text and Canon.
Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press,1995. [A fine text that can be digested by the nonspecialist without language training. The book includes a 10-page glossary of terms. 205
pages; in the library]
Wegner, Paul D. The Journey from Texts to Translations: The Origin and Development of the
Bible. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 1999. [In my opinion, this is one of the best
tools—if not the best—of its kind out there. Beginner – Advanced; in the library]
Bible Translation Theory
Barker, Ken. Accuracy: Defined & Illustrated. Colorado Springs, CO: International Bible
Society, 1995.
________. The Balance of the NIV: What Makes the NIV a Good Translation. Grand Rapids, MI:
Baker Books, 2000. [139 pages]
Carson, D. A. The Inclusive Language Debate: A Plea for Realism. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker
Book House, 1998. [Modern origins of debate; For gender-inclusive language but
evenhanded]
________. The King James Version Debate: A Plea for Realism. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Book
House Company, 1978. [128 pages; in the library]
Collins, C. John et al. Translating Truth: The Case for Essentially Literal Bible Translation.
Wheaton, IL: Crossway Books, 2005.
Fee, Gordon D., and Mark L. Strauss. How to Choose a Translation for All Its Worth: A Guide
for Understanding and Using Bible Versions. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing
Co., 2007. [170 pages]
Poythress, Vern S., and Wayne A. Grudem. The Gender Neutral Bible Controversy: Muting the
Masculinity of God’s Word. Broadman & Holman Publishers, 2000. [Against genderneutral language; 377 pages]
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Scorgie, Glen G., Mark L. Strauss, and Steven M. Voth, eds. The Challenge of Bible
Translation: Understanding the Theory, History, and Practice. Grand Rapids, MI:
Zondervan Publishing House, 2003. [This work contains articles by conservative, very
competent Old and New Testament scholars. 432 pages; this is on my wish list]
Strauss, Mark L. Distorting Scripture?: The Challenge of Bible Translation and Gender
Accuracy. Downers Grove, Inter-Varsity Press, 1998. [240 pages. Takes an inclusivelanguage position, as Carson does and contrary to Poythress and Grudem]
The English Bible & Translations
Brake, Donald L. A Visual History of the English Bible: The Tumultuous Tale of the World’s
Bestselling Book. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books, 2008. [A fine, up-to-date- guide with
many high-quality photos of ancient manuscripts and reproductions of paintings, as well as
modern translations. Features a visual glossary and several charts; very attractive, useful
and user friendly. If a student were to own one book on this topic, this may be it. 349
pages]
Comfort, Philip W. Essential Guide to Bible Versions. Wheaton, IL: Tyndale House Publishers,
2000. [Includes sections on the Old and New Testament texts; Bible translation theory; “A
comparative study of major translations on the prologue to the gospel of John”; and more;
this is a helpful tool with a variety of uses to the student; 300 pages]
Dewey, David. A User’s Guide to Bible Translations: Making the Most of Different Versions.
Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 2005. [239 pages; in the library]
Kerr, John Stevens. Ancient Texts Alive Today: The Story of the English Bible. NY: The
American Bible Society, 1999.
Metzger, Bruce M. The Bible in Translation: Ancient and English Versions. Grand Rapids, MI:
Baker Academic, 2001. [200 pages]
Rhodes, Ron. The Complete Guide to Bible Translations: How They Were Developed,
Understanding Their Differences, Finding the Right One for You. Eugene, OR: Harvest
House Publishers, 2009. [272 pages; in the library]
Sheely, Steven M., & Robert N. Nash. The Bible in English Translation: An Essential Guide.
Nashville, TN: Abingdon Press, 1997.
The New Testament Text
Metzger, Bruce M. The Text of the New Testament: Its Transmission, Corruption, and
Restoration. 4th ed. Oxford University Press, 2005. [384 pages; 1992 edition is in the
library]
The Apocrypha
Metzger, Bruce M. An Introduction to the Apocrypha. New York: Oxford University Press,
1957.
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Coogan, Michael D. The New Oxford Annotated Apocrypha: New Revised Standard Version. 3rd
ed. Oxford University Press, 2001. [The text of the apocrypha with introduction and
comments]
Revelation
Morris, Leon. I Believe in Revelation. Grand Rapids: Wm. B. Eerdmans Pub. Co., 1976.
Packer, J. I. God Has Spoken: Revelation and the Bible. 3rd ed. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books,
2000. [I am not acquainted with this book, but Packer is readable, conservative and devout.
Amazon Kindle edition is $9.99; 174 pages]
Canon
Beckwith, Roger T. The Old Testament Canon of the New Testament Church: And Its
Background in Early Judaism. Paperback edition. Eugene, OR: Wipf & Stock Publishers,
2008. [528 pages; This is perhaps the definitive treatment of the OT Canon from a
conservative position.]
Bruce, F. F. The Canon of the Scripture. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1988.
MacDonald, Lee M. The Formation of the Christian Biblical Canon. Revised edition. Peabody:
Hendrickson, 1995.
Metzger, Bruce M. The Canon of the New Testament: Its Origin, Development, and Significance.
Paperback ed. Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1997. [In the library; A critical but valuable
resource by a former scholar who was one of the most knowledgeable in the field of the NT
canon and text.]
Dictionaries & Encyclopedias
Bromiley, Geoffery W., gen. ed. The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia. 4 vols. Revised
ed. Grand Rapids, MI: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 1979-1988. [Was perhaps the
best, conservative set available, but now may be challenged by Zondervan’s recent revision
of its 5-volume set; somewhat dated but very useful.]
Douglas, J. D., ed. The Illustrated Bible Dictionary. 3 vols. Leicester, England: Intervarsity
Press,1994. [Pictorial expansion of the one volume New Bible Dictionary; very attractive,
color photos and graphics]
Douglas, J. D., and Merrill C. Tenney, eds. The New International Dictionary of the Bible. 5
vols. Pictorial ed. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1987.
Freedman, David Noel, ed. The Anchor Bible Dictionary. 6 vols. Doubleday, 1992.
[Liberal/Critical but very comprehensive and scholarly; to be used with caution]
________. Eerdmans Dictionary of the Bible. Grand Rapids: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co.,
2000.
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Silva, Moises, and Merrill C. Tenney, gen eds. The Zondervan Pictorial Encyclopedia of the
Bible. 5 vols. Revised Full-Color Edition. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House,
2009. [Originally published in 1980, this very useful and very conservative work has just
recently been revised and made available in a full-color edition. I have not yet examined it,
but my expectations are high, as it should prove to be one of the most useful tools of its
kind for the Bible college student as was its predecessor. (At least the first two volumes are
available as of January 2011 in Amazon’s Kindle for $19.99 each {but I recommend the
hard copy for this production}). 5616 pages]
Atlases
Aharoni, Yohanan, and Michael Avi-Yonah, et al. The Macmillan Bible Atlas. 3rd ed.
Macmillan, 1993.
Bahat, Dan. Carta’s Historical Atlas of Jerusalem: Illustrated edition. Carta Jerusalem, 2004.
Beitzel, Barry J. The Moody Atlas of the Bible Lands. Chicago: Moody Press, 2009. [A
work by a professor of OT and Semitic Languages at Trinity Evangelical University.
Evangelical]
Brisco, Thomas. The Holman Bible Atlas. Nashville, TN: Broadman & Holman
Publishing Co., 1998. [Very user friendly; out of print but may be obtained used and
perhaps new; 298 pages]
Lawrence, Paul. The IVP Atlas of Bible History. Downer’s Grove, IL: InterVarsity press, 2006.
Pfeiffer, Charles F. Baker’s Bible Atlas. Revised edition. Grand Rapids: Baker Book House,
2003.
Rasmussen, Carl. Zondervan NIV Atlas of the Bible. New revised edition. Grand Rapids, MI:
Zondervan Publishing House, 2010. [Uses 3D imaging technology]
Rogerson, John. The Atlas of the Bible. Nashville, TN: Nelson Publishing House, 1985.
Wright, Paul H. Greatness and Glory: Carta’s Atlas of Biblical Biography. Edited by Barbara L.
Ball. Carta, Jerusalem, 2008.
General
Fee, Gordon. God’s Empowering Presence. Peabody: Hendrickson, 1994. Grand Rapids:
Eerdmans Publishing Co., 1987. [Excellent work by an Assemblies of God scholar; not all
his conclusions are in line with the A/G]
________. Listening to the Spirit in the Text. Grand Rapids, MI: Wm. B. Eerdmans Pub. Co.,
2000.
Horton, Stanley M. Ed. Systematic Theology: A Pentecostal Perspective. Springfield: Logion,
1984. [Assemblies of God]
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Stoner, Peter W. and Robert C. Newman. Science Speaks. Rev. Chicago: Moody, 1976.
Walvoord, John F., and Roy B. Zuck, ed. The Bible Knowledge Commentary. 2 vols. Wheaton,
IL: Victor Books, 1985. [Dispensational and very conservative]
Wenham, G. J., et al., ed. New Bible Commentary: 21st Century Edition. Downers Grove, IL:
InterVarsity Press, 2001. [Good for its brevity and general value]
Hermeneutics
Bock, Darrell L., and Buist M. Fanning, eds. Interpreting the New Testament Text Introduction
to the Art and Science of Exegesis. Wheaton, IL: Crossway Books, 2006. [Advanced;
requires Greek for full use]
Carson, D. A. Exegetical Fallacies. 2nd ed. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 1996. [Among
other useful topics, it has a helpful section on word-study errors]
Fee, Gordon D., and Douglas Stuart. How to Read the Bible for all it’s Worth. 3rd ed. Grand
Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House, 2003.
Language:
A Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament and other Early Christian Literature. 3d ed.
(BDAG). Rev. and ed. by Frederick William Danker. Based on 6th ed. Walter Baur.
Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 2001.
Brown, Colin, ed. The New International Dictionary of New Testament Theology. 4 vols. Grand
Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House, 1986.
Lee M. Fields. Hebrew for the Rest of Us: Using Hebrew Tools without Mastering Biblical
Hebrew. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House, 2008. [304 pages]
Harris, R. Laird, ed. Theological Wordbook of the Old Testament. 2 vols. Chicago: Moody Press,
1980. [A useful and conservative work that is coded to Strong’s Concordance; requires
knowledge of Hebrew for full use, but it can be gleaned by beginners]
Mounce, William D. The Basics of Biblical Greek. 3rd ed. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan
Publishing House, 2009. [A very helpful and user-friendly (!), first-year grammar, which is,
in fact, the most widely used such tool in the English-speaking world. Teaches learning
endings over paradigm memorization; very helpful for morphology (how words form and
change )]
________. Greek for the Rest of Us. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House, 2003. [320
pages]
________. Interlinear for the Rest of Us: The Reverse Interlinear for New Testament Word
Studies. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House, 2006.
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________. Mounce’s Complete Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words. Grand Rapids, MI:
Zondervan Publishing House, 2006.
________. The NIV English-Greek New Testament. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan
Publishing House, 2000.
Pratico, Gary D., and Miles V. Van Pelt. Basics of Biblical Hebrew. 2nd edition. Grand Rapids,
MI: Zondervan Publishing House, 2007. [The first year Hebrew companion to Mounce’s
Greek textbook; stresses diagnostic recognition over rote memorization (similar to
Mounce)]
Rienecker, Fritz. Linguistic Key to the Greek New Testament. Grand Rapids:
Regency/Zondervan, 1980.
Rogers, Cleon L. Jr., and Cleon L. Rogers III. The New Linguistic and Exegetical Key to the
Greek New Testament. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1998.
VanGemeren, Willhem A, ed. The New International Dictionary of New Testament Theology
and Exegesis. 5 vols. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House, 1997. [Conservative
and very valuable discussion of theological concepts; some knowledge of Hebrew is
necessary for full use, but the beginner can glean]
Verbrugge, Verlyn, ed. The New International Dictionary of New Testament
Theology. Abridged ed. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House, 2000. [An
abridgment of the four volume work edited by Colin Brown. Much of the scholarly/tedious
material that would bog down a beginner is eliminated.]
Zodiates, Spiros. Hebrew-Greek Key Word Study Bible: NASB. Chattanooga, TN: AMG
Publishers, 1990. [A useful tool for the beginner; coded to Strong’s Concordance.]
Reference Tool Guides:
Carson, D. A. New Testament Commentary Survey. 6th ed. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic,
& Leicester, England: InterVarsity Press, 2007.
Longman, Tremper III. Old Testament Commentary Survey. 4th ed. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker
Book House, 2007.
Danker, William Frederick. Multipurpose Tools for Bible Study. Rev. & exp. ed. Minneapolis,
MN: Augsburg Fortress Publishers, 2003. [Intermediate & Advanced]
Glynn, John. Commentary and Reference Survey: A Comprehensive Guide to Biblical and
Theological Resources. Grand Rapids, MI: Kregel Publications, 2007. [Perhaps the most
helpful tool of its kind for all sorts of resources. Unfortunately, Glynn died several years
ago, and I am unsure of anyone will pick up his labor.]
Stuart, Douglas. A Guide to Selecting and Using Commentaries. Dallas: Word Publishing, 1990.
[Prepared by a competent conservative scholar but quite dated]
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Software
Logos Bible Software. [This is an all-around good tool that is hard to beat for its content and
function versatility and the variety of formats available. The value of Logos is that it comes
in editions that combine pastoral—sermons, counseling, etc.—and scholarly concerns.
About nine (9) packages are available, with each package having a different interest focus
and price. Another valuable facet of this software is its steady stream of modules that can
be purchased—although for a prettier penny than one would hope—including entire sets of
commentaries like Word Biblical Commentary, and, I believe, the New American
Commentary: two excellent series in their own right. For more information, visit the
company’s user-friendly website: logos.com.]
BibleWorks. This is one of the very best tools geared primarily towards exegesis in the original
languages, and is the one that I have been using for the past decade or thereabouts, and is
now in its eight (8th) edition]
Spring 2011