February 13, 2009

Book Review

John MacArthur Bible Study Guide: James

This study guide series is one of the best I have ever used. Macarthur gives an introduction to the book of James regarding the authorship, the background and setting, along with historical and theological themes. He also mentions some interpretive challenges that may arise from the Scripture.

MacArthur starts each chapter with some opening questions and then provides some background information to the passage of scripture. There is room in the study guide for you to answer the questions. The scripture is then read (which is included in the study guide) along with some of MacArthur’s notes about the passage.

There are then several questions to help you understand the passage better. MacArthur provides a cross-reference Scripture passage to further explore the meaning of the original passage from James. There are, of course, additional questions to ponder or discuss.

Finally, MacArthur sums up the passage and lists a few more questions to help you reflect on the text and what you have learned.

I highly recommend this study guide series for either your own personal study or a group discussion. Each chapter can take about an hour during a group Bible Study meeting.





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February 11, 2009

Book Review

Colossians & Philemon – The MacArthur New Testament Commentary Series

I just finished reading this commentary on Colossians and Philemon by John MacArthur.

MacArthur provides thorough Scriptural commentary throughout this book.

He starts by providing a thorough background about the book of Colossians and Philemon. This includes information about the author, the city of Colossae, the church at Colossae, and the situations that were occurring there. MacArthur also provides the same for Philemon.

MacArthur’s commentaries are mainly expository. Meaning, he takes scripture and explains it with other scripture. MacArthur does digress into other scripture or theological topics at times, but I believe he does this so anyone reading this commentary would be able to understand other scriptural passages that he references.

I would highly recommend The MacArthur New Testament Commentary Series to anyone looking for an in-depth Biblical explanation of Scripture.





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February 09, 2009

Book Destruction!

I mentioned that I was going to destroy one of the books I recently reviewed, so it would never deceive anyone again. Here are some images of that destruction!












































The End







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February 02, 2009

Book Review

I finished reading "Ten Commandments: Twice Removed" by Danny Shelton and Shelley Quinn.

The title of the book is very deceptive!

About halfway through the first chapter I was starting to wonder about this book and where the authors were going with it. Then in chapter two it hit me. This book has little to do with the Ten Commandments. It focuses mostly on #4 "Remember the Sabbath Day."

The authors then go on to describe Saturday (actually Friday at sundown to Saturday sundown) as being the Biblical Sabbath, during Bible times and still today. The authors "prove" that Christians should still observe the seventh-day Sabbath.

I won't go into detail here as to why the authors are wrong, but I will say the authors used a deceptive title for their book as well as a deceptive description on the back cover.

My questions is: Since the authors resorted to deceptive tactics to get people (me) to read the book, then what does that say about their message and content of the book?

In summary, this book is not really about the Ten Commandments (yes, it does mention them all briefly). It is really only about one group's view of the Fourth Commandment.

Do not be deceived by this book. Read and study Acts 20:7 for the day of worship.

For your information, I plan on destroying this book so no one has a chance to be deceived by it!




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