These books will provide you with a good working knowledge of the Bible. A free college level course is built around some of them. The books used at the Disciples' Institute of Biblical Studies are indicated with "DIBS" next to them. Some of these books also have free study guides that may be downloaded from other parts of BrRon's Bible Corner. The only costs associated with DIBS are the purchase of books (from any source) and of corresponding via e-mail or snail mail.
Of course, you can use these books for your own personal study, or to look up a particular portion of the Bible you are interested in.
| Subject | Book Data | Short Comments |
| DIBS Bible Survey | The Bible Knowledge Commentary,
BUY Old Testament for $27.99 (List $39.99) ed. John F. Walvoord and Roy B. Zuck ISBN 0882078135 Hard Back, 1589 pages |
This excellent commentary was written by various faculty members of Dallas Theological Seminary. Written from a dispensational viewpoint, it fairly presents all major views on Old Testament passages. I have written four study guides for this commentary from the Reformed or Covenant perspective, which may be downloaded for free. |
| DIBS Bible Survey | The Bible Knowledge Commentary,
BUY New Testament for $27.99 (List $39.99) ed. John F. Walvoord and Roy B. Zuck ISBN 0882078127 Hard Back, 991 pages |
This excellent commentary was written by various faculty members of Dallas Theological Seminary. Written from a dispensational viewpoint, it fairly presents all major views on New Testament passages. I have written two study guides for this commentary from the Reformed or Covenant perspective, which may be downloaded for free. |
| DIBS Bible Survey | BUY The New Unger's Bible Dictionary
for $27.77 (List39.99)
Merrill F. Unger ISBN 0802490379 Hard Back, 1400 pages |
This is one of several available Bible Dictionaries. I prefer it because it is up to date, comprehensive for a one-volume reference, and has some fine color and black and white illustrations. Fifteen Bible maps (in color) with an index are included as an appendix. It does not lean to any particular school of interpretation, although it is obvious that the editors hold to the fundamentals of the faith and the inerrancy of the Bible. |
| DIBS Bible Survey | BUY Talk Thru the Bible
for $20.99 (List 29.99)
Bruce Wilkinson and Kenneth Boa ISBN 0840752865 Hard Back, 521 pages |
From the Talk Thru the Bible folks, this book will help you to get a good grasp of any or all books of the Bible. Each Bible book has a chart showing several ways of looking at the book's organzation, introductory information on the purpose, author, background, and how the book fits in to the Bible as a whole. Everyone will profit from using this book along with regular Bible reading. It is generally easier to understand than introductions in commentaries or study Bibles. |
| DIBS Bible Survey | BUY The Daily Bible in Chronological Order
(New International Version) for $15.99 (List $19.99)
commentary by F. LaGard Smith ISBN 0890817596 Soft Cover, 1713 pages |
This Bible is arranged chronologically, with sections of chapters from the different Bible books all put in order as they happened. A narrative commentary ties the sections together. It is designed for a one-year read through, using the modern New International Version as the basis. |
| New Testament | BUY The InterVarsity Press Bible Background Commentary, New Testament
for $23.99 (List $29.99)
by Craig S. Keener ISBN 0830814051 Hard Back, 831 pages |
I highly recommend this New Testament Commentary. It is not a devotional book, but is an excellent explanation of what the background of each passage is. If you wonder what a Hellenistic Jew is, or why Matthew was collecting taxes by the roadside, this is the book for you! It will help you understand what the events and teachings meant in the culture of Palestine in the days of Jesus. |
| Bible | BUY The Wycliffe Bible Commentary (One Volume)
for $27.99 (List 39.99)
by Charles F. Pfeiffer and Everett F. Harrison ISBN 0802496954 Hard Back, 1525 pages |
This one-volume commentary is written from the Reformed point of view. The authors are respected scholars who hold completely to the fundamentals of the Christian faith. The differences between this and the Bible Knowledge Commentary above are primarily in the interpretation of prophecy and the end times. It is not a devotional commentary: it focuses on understanding what the Bible says and means, leaving the reader to apply this to his own life. |
| Between the Testaments | BUY Between the Testaments
(will be placed on back order)
by Charles F. Pfeiffer ISBN 0801068738 Paper Back, 132 pages |
This is the book to read to find out what happened in the 400 years between the Old Testament and the New. This exciting time in history sets the stage for the advent of Jesus. Why did the whole world speak Greek? What was the Jewish rebellion? How did the Edomite line of Herod come to rule over the Jews? All of this background and more is in this book. It is written at a college history level, it is not light reading, but it is worth it! |