RECOMMENDED READING FOR THIRD MILLENNIUM ONLINE COURSES

 

·       This list by no means pretends to give a complete and balanced survey of available literature on the topics of our courses. Rather, it is meant to be a "sampling" of suggestions to get the student started, including both Internet links and printed books.

·       In our day, the Internet offers almost limitless resources, and part of the learning process for the student is to become a good "surfer" to find materials on topics of interest.

·       However, the following list gives a few suggestions, adds some brief comments about the materials and authors, and recommends guidelines for using the search engines of websites.

·       This list will periodically be updated, so you may want to take a look once in a while to see if there are new items listed.

·       At the end of the document are some guidelines for evaluating optional extra reading, given as suggestions for any institution that wishes to do so.

Contents

 

I. HISTORY AND THEOLOGY. 5

Church History and the History of Theology. 5

Internet Resources 5

Printed Resources 6

World Religions and Cults 7

Internet Resources 7

Printed Resources 8

Systematic Theology in General 9

Internet Resources 9

Printed Resources 12

The Apostles' Creed. 14

The Doctrine of Scripture. 15

Internet Resources 15

Printed Resources 17

Biblical Theology. 18

Internet Resources 18

Printed Resources 20

II. THE OLD TESTAMENT. 21

Software for Bible Study in General 21

Dictionaries and Encyclopedias 22

Commentaries on the Complete Bible. 23

Internet Resources 23

Printed Resources 23

Introductory Information on the Old Testament 24

Commentaries on the Old Testament in General 25

Internet Resources 25

Printed Resources 25

The Pentateuch. 26

The Prophetical Books 27

III. THE NEW TESTAMENT. 28

General Bible Study. 28

Introductory Information on the New Testament 28

Commentaries on the New Testament in General 30

Internet Resources 30

Printed Resources 30

The Gospels 31

Acts 32

Paul's Epistles 33

1 and 2 Corinthians 33

Galatians 33

Ephesians 33

Philippians 34

Colossians 34

1 and 2 Thessalonians 35

Philemon. 35

Other Books of the New Testament 35

IV. PRACTICAL THEOLOGY. 36

Ethics 36

Internet Resources 36

Printed Resources 37

Apologetics 38

Internet Resources 38

Printed Resources 38

Ministry. 41

Internet Resources 41

Printed Resources 41

GUIDELINES FOR EVALUATING OPTIONAL READING. 42

 


 

I. HISTORY AND THEOLOGY

Church History and the History of Theology

Internet Resources


Christian Classics Ethereal Library

This website has a multitude of classic Christian literature. Click on "Research," then write the name of an author or a title of a book in their search boxes. You may also choose to click on "Browse" and look through the list of documents in alphabetical order, either by author or by title. You don't need to register to use this. For example, in the area of history of theology, we suggest you look at the following documents as examples:

 

Eusebius. Church History. (church historian from the fourth century AD)

 

Josephus, Flavius. Complete Works. (Jewish historian from the first century AD)

 

Robertson, J.C. Sketches of Church History, From AD 33 to the Reformation. (19th century professor of church history, Kings College, London)

 

Schaff, Philip. The History of the Christian Church (3 volumes). (19th century Swiss historian)

 

________. Creeds of Christendom (3 volumes).

 

Christian Apologetics and Research Ministry (CARM)
This website is dedicated to a defense of the Christian faith and biblical analysis of contemporary issues. For studying the history of theology, we suggest that you click on "Apologetics," then "Heresies," and browse through the list.

 

Enjoying God Ministries
This website is oriented around the teaching of Sam Storms (Baptist). For history, click on "Historical Studies" and browse through the articles. For example, to see a brief synthesis of early Church history, we suggest you look at the following articles:

 

"An Overview of Church History"

 

"Trinitarian Debate"

 

"Christological Debate"


Wikipedia
Most people are familiar with this Internet encyclopedia. You can put almost any important name or concept in the search box to find interesting information. For example, to study the history of theology, you may want to look up names such as Eusebius, Turtullian, or Marcion. You may want to study topics such as Gnosticism or Montanism. Remember that, while this popular electronic encyclopedia is surprisingly complete and accurate, it aims to represent all points of view, which may lead to some error and confusion.

Printed Resources

 

Berkhof, Louis. The History of Christian Doctrines. Grand Rapids: Baker, 1975.

Bettenson, Henry, ed. Documents of the Christian Church. London: Oxford University Press, 1970.

Gonzalez, Justo L. A History of Christian Thought. 3 vols. Rev. ed. Nashville: Abingdon Press, 1987.

Hagglund, Bengt. History of Theology. St. Louis: Concordia, 1968.

Kelly, J. N. D. Early Christian Doctrines. Rev. ed. San Francisco: Harper and Row, 1978.

Latourette, Kenneth Scott. A History of Christianity. New York: Harper and Row, 1953.

World Religions and Cults

Internet Resources

 

BBC
To find articles on religions, click on "More" then "Full A-Z," then click on "R" and browse the list in the box in the right margin. We suggest starting with a religion like Islam and reading "Islam at a glance."

 

Christian Apologetics and Research Ministry (CARM)
This website is dedicated to a defense of the Christian faith and biblical analysis of contemporary issues. For studying world religions, click on the "World Religions" tab in the left margin.

 

Kingdom of the Cults
This web site give Walter Martin's teachings about many of the popular cults.

 

New Advent
This is a Catholic encyclopedia. To find a topic, use the alphabetical index. For example, to find an article on world religions, click on the letter of the name of the religion, such as "B" for Buddhism, and scroll down to find an article on it.

 

Religion Facts
This ecumenical site gives information about most religions. Just find the name on the home page.

 

Religious Tolerance
Find a religion to study by looking at the menu of "World Religions" in the left column.

 

Sacred Texts

Find important texts for each religion as found in the list.

 

Printed Resources

Anderson, J. N. D. The World’s Religions. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1968.  (Christian perspective)

Hoekema, Anthony A. The Four Major Cults. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1963.

Knight, George R. A Brief History of the Seventh Day Adventists. New York: Macmillan, 2004.

Martin, Walter. The Kingdom of the Cults. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1965.

Sookhedeo, Patrick. A Christian's Pocket Guide to Islam. Fearn, Ross-shire, Scotland: Christian Focus Publications, 2001.

Systematic Theology in General


Internet Resources

Catechism of the Catholic Church.
This is a fundamental document to understand the official current theology of the Roman Catholic Church. Just scroll down the index to find a topic.

Christian Classics Ethereal Library
This website has a multitude of classic Christian literature. Click on "Research," then write the name of an author or a title of a book in their search boxes. You may also choose to click on "Browse" and look through the list of documents in alphabetical order, either by author or by title. You don't need to register to use this. For example, in the area of Systematic Theology, we suggest you look at the following examples:


Anselm, Proslogium. (scholastic theologian)

 

Aquinas, Thomas. The Summa Theologica. (Key medieval scholastic theologian, a favorite of the Roman Catholic Church)


Arminius, Jacobus. Works of James Arminius. (opponent of Calvinism)

Edwards, Jonathan. Freedom of the Will. (reformed)

Hodge, Charles. Systematic Theology. (reformed)



Desiring God 
This website is oriented around the reformed teaching of John Piper. We suggest you search for an article by looking under "Browse By," click on "Topic index" and scroll down to find the subject you would like to study. You can also search by author.

 

Enjoying God Ministries
This website is oriented around the teaching of Sam Storms (Baptist). For systematic theology, click on "Theological Studies" and browse through the articles.

Frame-Poythress
This website contains articles and books by these two important contemporary reformed theologians. To find an article, look under the corresponding author (Frame or Poythress), click on "Articles by Title," and scroll down to find the article in its alphabetical order. To find a book, click on "Books" and scroll down to find the title. We suggest a few examples below:


Frame, John. "Certainty."

Frame, John. "Introduction to the Reformed Faith.

Frame, John. "My Use of the Reformed Confessions."

 

Frame, John. "A Primer on Perspectivalism."

Frame, John. "Traditionalism."

 

Poythress, Vern S. "Multiperspectivalism and the Reformed Faith."

Poythress, Vern S. "Presbyterianism and Dispensationalism."

Poythress, Vern S. Symphonic Theology. (Search under "Books.")


Ligonier Ministries
Under the direction of R.C. Sproul, this reformed website contains hundreds of articles on theology. We suggest clicking on the tab "Learn," then under "Ways to Learn," click on "Topics." Articles in theology are in the first column.


Monergism
This website contains many articles on theology from a reformed perspective. We suggest especially the resources listed below. To find any of them, look under the category "Theology," click on "Systematic Theology," and scroll down to find the title.

Aquinas, Thomas. The Summa Theologica. (Key medieval scholastic theologian, a favorite of the Roman Catholic Church)

Berkhof, Louis. Summary of Christian Doctrine. (synthesis of reformed doctrine)

Reymond, Robert L. "The Justification of Theology as an Intellectual Discipline." (reformed)

Poythress, Vern S. Symphonic Theology. (reformed)

Wells, David F. "The Nature and Function of Theology." (reformed)


Regent University Divinity and Religion Resources
This site recommends many resources and gives key information about them. We suggest for example that you click on "Bibliographies" and then "Systematic Theologies by denomination and persuasion." You could also click on "Websites" and then "Theology" to find other sites.


Selected Works of Martin Luther
This site includes his Ninety Five Theses, commentaries, his Catechisms, and much more.


Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy
You can use this resource especially for studying philosophers or liberal theologians. For example, write the name "Schleiermacher" in the search box in order to find an article on Friedrich Schleiermacher, or write the name "Kierkegaard" to study Sψren Kierkegaard.

Third Millennium
Our own main website contains countless resources, including books, articles, videos and audio files. To find articles on theology, click on the "Read" tab. Browse through the categories, especially the RPM Magazine, Pauline Studies, and Electronic Books. Click on "Links" to find hundreds of other resources.

We suggest the following resources on Systematic Theology:

Augustine. Confessions.
Click "Read" then "Electronic Books," then write "Augustine" in the search box and click Enter. You may need to go to the next page to find other parts of the book.

Calvin, John. Institutes of the Christian Religion.
Calvin was the key theologian for the reformation, and continues to be fundamental for reformed theologians. To find this valuable resource, click on "Read," then "Electronic Books," "Browse by Author," scroll down to "Medieval and Reformation Authors," click on "Calvin, John," and find "Institutes of the Christian Religion." You can select any of the four books of the Institutes in several different formats.

Pratt, Richard L., Jr. "Does God Observe the Law of Contradiction? ...Should We?"
To find this article, click on "Read," then "RPM Magazine." In the search box, first put "Pratt" and click Enter, then put in a key word or two from the title of the article, such as "contradiction."

To find many other articles on theology, click "Read," then "RPM Magazine," "Topical Archives," and scroll down to "Theology."


Wikipedia
Most people are familiar with this Internet encyclopedia. You can put almost any important name or concept in the search box to find interesting information. For example, to study Systematic Theology you may want to look up theologians such as Augustine, Aquinas, Calvin, or Luther, or you may want to study topics such as Catholicism, eschatology, or Mormonism. For studying liberal theologians, look up the following examples: Adolf Harnack, Albrecht Ritschl, Gustavo Gutierrez, Friedrich Schleiermacher, and Paul Tillich. Remember that, while this popular electronic encyclopedia is surprisingly complete and accurate, it aims to represent all points of view, which may lead to some error and confusion.

 

Printed Resources


Arminius, Jacobus. The Works of Jacob Arminius. Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1986. (opponent of Calvinism)

Berkhof, Louis. Systematic Theology. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1996. (reformed)

Boice, James M. Foundations of the Christian Faith. Downers Grove: Inter-Varsity Press, 1986. (reformed)

Buswell, J. Oliver. A Systematic Theology of the Christian Religion. Grand Rapids: Zondervan Publishing House, 1962-63. (reformed)

Calvin, John. Institutes of the Christian Religion. Philadelphia: Westminster Press, 1967. (fundamental theologian of the Reformation)

Catechism of the Catholic Church. New York: Doubleday, 1995.

Erickson, Millard J. Christian Theology. Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1983. (Baptist)

Frame, John. The Doctrine of the Christian Life. Phillipsburg, N.J.: Presbyterian and Reformed, 2008. (reformed, contemporary)

________. The Doctrine of God. Phillipsburg, N.J.: Presbyterian and Reformed, 2002.

________. The Doctrine of the Knowledge of God. Phillipsburg, N.J.: Presbyterian and Reformed, 1987.

Grudem, Wayne. Systematic Theology. Leicester: Inter-Varsity Press, and Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1994. (Grudem is fairly recent and very practical, directing his theology to the issues of our day. He represents a unique combination of historical reformed theology with an occasional defense of charismatic views. He is also Baptist.)

________. Bible Doctrine; Essential Teachings of the Christian Faith. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1999. (summary of his Systematic Theology)

McGrath, Alister E. The Science of God: An Introduction to Scientific Theology. London: T&T Clark, 2004. Contemporary “natural theology” by a well-known Oxford professor.

________. A Scientific Theology: Nature. London: T&T Clark, 2001.

________. A Scientific Theology: Reality. London: T&T Clark, 2002.

________.  A Scientific Theology: Theory. London: T&T Clark, 2003.

Packer, J.I. Concise Theology; a Guide to Historic Christian Beliefs . Wheaton : Tyndale, 1993. Originally written as notes for the New Geneva Bible. (Evangelical Anglican)

Pearlman, Myer. Knowing the Doctrines of the Bible. Springfield, Mo.: Gospel Publishing House, 1937. (Pentecostal)

Pratt, Richard L., Jr. Designed For Dignity: What God Has Made It Possible For You To Be. Second edition. Phillipsburg, N.J.: P&R Publishing, 2000. (reformed)

Reymond, Robert L. A New Systematic Theology of the Christian Faith. Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1998. (reformed)

Sproul, R.C. Essential Truths of the Christian Faith. Wheaton: Tyndale, 1998. (reformed)

________. Faith Alone: The Evangelical Doctrine of Justification. Grand Rapids: Baker, 1999.

________. Renewing Your Mind: Basic Christian Beliefs You Need to Know. 3rd ed. Grand Rapids: Baker, 1998.

________. What Is Reformed Theology?: Understanding The Basics. Grand Rapids: Baker, 2005.

Tillich, Paul. Systematic Theology. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1951-1963. (liberal)


The Apostles' Creed

 

Catechism of the Catholic Church.
This is a fundamental document to understand the official current theology of the Roman Catholic Church. Just scroll down the index to find a topic. To read their exposition of the Apostles' Creed, look at Part 1, Section 2, Chapter 1, Article 1.

 

Center for Reformed Theology and Apologetics (CRTA)

We suggest you use this site to read an exposition of the Apostles' Creed. Using the "Advanced Search" box (the link just below the search box), write "Apostles Creed" (without the apostrophe) in the box that says "Exact Phrase." It will lead you to the following article:

 

          Dodds, James. Exposition of the Apostles' Creed.

Monergism
This website contains articles on theology from a reformed perspective. To find resources on the Apostles' Creed, write "Apostles' Creed" in the search box.


Selected Works of Martin Luther
To read Luther's exposition of the Apostles' Creed, find "Luther's Larger Catechism" and scroll down to "Part Second" / "Of the Creed."


 

The Doctrine of Scripture

Internet Resources

 

Catechism of the Catholic Church.
This is a fundamental document to understand the official current theology of the Roman Catholic Church. To read about their official view of Scripture, see Part 1, Chapter 2, Articles 1-3. To see their view of Tradition, see Part one, Section 1, Chapter 2, Article 2, "The Transmission of Divine Revelation."

 

Catholic.com

Catholic web site. To read about their view of Scripture and Tradition, for example, write "Tradition" in the search box, and find the following articles:

 

"Apostolic Tradition"

 

"Scripture and Tradition"

 

Christian Apologetics and Research Ministry (CARM)
This website is dedicated to a defense of the Christian faith and biblical analysis of contemporary issues. We suggest the following articles:

 

Slick, Matt. "Is the Bible Inspired" (See "Christianity," then "Bible.")

________. "
Roman Catholicism, Bible and Tradition."  (See "World Religions," "Roman Catholicism," "Scripture and Tradition.")

 

Frame-Poythress
This website contains articles and books by these two important contemporary reformed theologians. To find an article, look under the corresponding author (Frame or Poythress), click on "Articles by Title," and scroll down to find the article in its alphabetical order. To find a book, click on "Books" and scroll down to find the title. We suggest a few examples below:

Frame, John. "No Scripture, No Christ.'

________. "Scripture Speaks for Itself."

Poythress, Vern S. "What Does God Say Through Human Authors?"

 

Monergism
This website contains many articles on theology from a reformed perspective. We suggest for example the articles below on the topic of the doctrine of Scripture. To find them, go to the Block called "Bible," click "Bible Research," then "Inspiration," and scroll down to find them.

          Boettner, Loraine. "The Inspiration of Scripture."

          Hughes, Philip Edgcumbe. "The Reformers View of Inspiration."

          Warfield, B. B. "The Inspiration and Authority of Scriptures."        

 

New Advent
This is a Catholic encyclopedia. To find a topic, use the alphabetical index. For example, to find an article on their view of Tradition, click on "T" and scroll down to:

 

          "Tradition and Magisterium"


Ramsay, Richard. "
Sola Scriptura" (A Comparison of the Catholic View and the Protestant View of Tradition and Scripture.)


Sproul, R.C. "Sola Scriptura, Part 1" (Video on You Tube, first of series of three)
________. "Sola Scriptura, Part 2"
________. "Sola Scriptura, Part 3"


Third Millennium
Our own main website contains countless resources, including books, articles, videos and audio files. To find articles on theology, click on the "Read" tab. Browse through the categories, especially the RPM Magazine, Pauline Studies, and Electronic Books. Click on "Links" to find hundreds of other resources. You may also use the search box by writing in the name of an author or a topic.

We suggest the following resources on the doctrine of Scripture.

         
          Jones, Hywell. "The Doctrine of Scripture Today; Trends in           Evangelical Thinking." (Write "Doctrine of Scripture" in the search           box.)


Frame, John. The Doctrine of the Word of God. (Write "Frame" in the search box.)

Printed Resources

 

Catechism of the Catholic Church. New York: Doubleday, 1995. For their view of Scripture and Tradition, see Part 1, Section 1, Chapter 2, Articles 1-3.

 

Frame, John. Doctrine of the Knowledge of God. Phillipsburg: P&R, 1989.

 

Frame, John. The Doctrine of the Word of God. Phillipsburg, N.J.: Presbyterian and Reformed, 2010.

 

Geisler, Norman, ed. Inerrancy. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1980.

 

Godfrey, Robert, James White, R.C. Spoul and others. Sola Scriptura; The Protestant Position on the Bible.

 

Lindsell, Harold. The Bible in the Balance. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1979.

 

Warfield, Benjamin B. The Inspiration and Authority of the Bible. Phillipsburg: P&R Publishing, 1948.

 

Young, Edward J. Thy Word is Truth. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1957

 

Biblical Theology

 

Internet Resources

Beginning with Moses
This website is dedicated especially to Biblical Theology. You can use the search box if you want to look for a topic or author. We suggest for example that you write in the names of the authors and the titles of the articles below:

          Clowney, Edmund. "The Final Temple."

          Gaffin, Richard B. "Systematic Theology and Biblical Theology."

          Poythress, Vern S. "Kinds of Biblical Theology"

Bible Study Tools
This free online website contains many versions of the Bible, commentaries, encyclopedias, and dictionaries. To study Biblical Theology, we suggest you click on "Dictionaries" to locate the following:

Baker's Evangelical Dictionary of Biblical Theology
Use the alphabetical index to find articles on topics such as the "ark" or "Abraham" the "Angel of the Lord," "Theology of Genesis," or "Theology of Exodus," for example.

Kerux
Click on "Online Archives" and type in an author or topic. We suggest you read for example:

          Dennison, James T. "What is Biblical Theology?"

Monergism
This website contains many articles on theology from a reformed perspective. To find articles on Biblical Theology, look at the first menu block on "Theology," click on "Biblical Theology," and scroll down to find articles and links.

A Puritan's Mind
Search for the articles on the covenant listed below. You can write either the name of the author in the search box, or the subject matter ("covenant"). You may need to advance to another page to find the article (see page numbers at the bottom.)

Hodge, A. A. "God's Covenants with Men"

Hodge, Charles. "The Covenant"

Karlberg, Mark. W. "Reformed Interpretation of the Mosaic Covenant"

Kline, Meredith. "Oath and Ordeal Signs," Parts 1 and 2.

Reformation Ink / Christian Classics
Scroll down to find articles listed in alphabetical order by author. We suggest for example the following articles:

          Machen, J. Gresham. "Jesus and Paul."

          Vos, Geerhardus. "The Idea of Biblical Theology"

          ________. "The Kingdom of God and the Church"

Third Millennium
Our own main website contains countless resources.

Click on "Read" and "Pauline Studies" / "Theology" to find the following article:

          "Law Survey"

Use the advanced search box to find the following articles. To find them more quickly, you may need to select "all of these words" and select only "articles."

          Pratt, Richard L., Jr. "The Kingdom of God."

          Vos, Geerhardus. "The Christ."

The Upper Register
Click on "Papers" and find articles on Biblical Theology. For example, you might want to read the following:

Kline, Meredith. "What is a Covenant?"

________. "Covenant Theology Under Attack"

Printed Resources

Gaffin, Richard B. Jr. Resurrection and Redemption: A Study in Paul's Soteriology. Phillipsburg, N.J.: P&R Publishing, 1987.

Kaiser, Walter C. Jr. The Promise-Plan of God; a Biblical Theology of the Old and New Testaments. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Zondervan, 2008.

Kline, Meredith. God, Heaven, and Har Magedon; a Covenantal Tale of Cosmos and Telos. Eugene Oregon: Wipf and Stock Publishers, 2006.

Poythress, Verne S. The Shadow of Christ in the Law of Moses. Phillipsburg, N.J.: P&R Publishing, 1991.

Pratt, Richard L. Jr. He Gave Us Stories. Phillipsburg, N.J.: P&R Publishing, 1993.

 Ridderbos, Herman. Paul, an Outline of His Theology. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans Publishing, 1975.

________ Redemptive History and the New Testament Scriptures. Phillipsburg, N.J.: P&R Publishing, 2001.

________ The Pauline Eschatology. Phillipsburg, N.J.: P&R Publishing, 1979.

Robertson, O. Palmer. The Christ of the Covenants. Phillipsburg, N.J.: P&R Publishing, 1980.

Vos, Geerhardus. Biblical Theology, Old and New Testaments. Eugene, Oregon: Wipf and Stock Publishers, 2003.

________ Eschatology of the Old Testament. Phillipsburg, N.J.: P&R Publishing.

 

II. THE OLD TESTAMENT


Software for Bible Study in General


Bible Gateway
This free software has many versions of the Bible and some commentaries.


BibleWorks
This academic software has many versions of the Bible and tools for word search and morphological study.


Bible Study Tools
This free online website contains many versions of the Bible, commentaries, encyclopedias, and dictionaries.

Bible Research
This site includes articles on topics such as the Greek text of the New Testament, the Hebrew manuscripts of the Old Testament, ancient versions of the Bible, the canon of the Bible, and interpretation of the Bible. Click on the general category of interest, then scroll down through the articles.


E-Sword
This free software can be downloaded. It has many versions of the Bible, commentaries, and other resources.


Logos
This software has an enormous library of commentaries, dictionaries, and other resources for pastoral and academic study, including Greek and Hebrew tools. Search engines allow following links to Bible passages and volumes of helpful information.

Dictionaries and Encyclopedias

New Bible Dictionary (3rd edition). Editors: D.R.W. Wood, N. Hillyer, J.D. Douglas and others. Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 1996.

Zondervan Illustrated Bible Dictionary. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1987.

Commentaries on the Complete Bible

Internet Resources


Christ Notes
Click on the commentaries by Matthew Henry (Presbyterian) or John Wesley (Methodist).


Christian Classics Ethereal Library
You can find the commentaries of Matthew Henry and John Calvin on this site. Just click on "Research" and write the name in the search box called "Book Title or Author."


Third Millennium
Our own main website contains countless resources. We suggest the following:

Calvin, John. Commentaries.
To find Calvin's Commentaries, click on "Read," "Search by Author," and scroll down to "Medieval and Reformation Authors."


Jamison, Fausset and Brown. Commentaries.
Click on "Read," "Search by Author," and scroll down to "Post-Reformation Authors." This series also includes articles on introductory information to different sections of the Bible.

Printed Resources

MacArthur, John. The MacArthur Bible Commentary. Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 2005.

Carson, D.A., R.T. France, J.A. Motyer and others, editors. New Bible Commentary. Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 1994.


Introductory Information on the Old Testament

 

Archer, Gleason L., Jr., A Survey of Old Testament Introduction. Chicago: Moody Press, 1964.


Dillard, Raymond B., and Tremper Longman. An introduction to the Old Testament. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1994.

Lasor, Sanford, David Hubbard, and William Bush. Old Testament Survey: The Message, Form, and Background of the Old Testament. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1996.

Scott, Jack B. Survey of the Old Testament. Lawrenceville, GA: Christian Education and Publications, 2002.

Commentaries on the Old Testament in General

Internet Resources


Bible Study Courses
Rev. Don Ritsman provides commentaries on many books of the Bible, with an emphasis on practical application.

Christian Classics Ethereal Library
To read some interesting background information on the Old Testament, we recommend you click on "Research" and write "Edersheim" in the box called "Book Title or Author" to find the following works:

          Edersheim, Alfred. Sketches of Jewish Social Life.

 

          ________. The Temple; Its Ministry and Services.

 

Philologos
Type "Edersheim" in the search box and scroll down to find the following:

 

          Edersheim, Alfred. The Bible History; Old Testament.



Printed Resources

Harrison, R.K., and Hubbard, Robert L. Jr., editors. New International Commentaries on the Old Testament (various authors, on many books of the Old Testamet) Grand Rapids: Eerdmans.

Keil, C.F. and Delitzsch, Franz. Commentary on the Old Testament. Ten volumes. Hendrickson Publishers, 1996 (also Eerdmans, 1956).

Mathews, Kenneth A. The New American Commentary, vol. 1A, Genesis 1-11:26. Nashville: Broadman and Holman, 1996.
________ The New American Commentary, vol. 1B, Genesis 11:27-50:26. Nashville: Broadman and Holman, 2005.

The Pentateuch

 

Hamilton, Victor P. The Book of Genesis, Chapters 1-17. The New International Commentary on the Old Testament. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1990.

Kidner, Derek. Genesis. London: Tyndale, 1967.

Waltke, Bruce K. Genesis, a Commentary. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2001.

Wenham, Gordon. Word Biblical Commentaries, vol. 1, Genesis 1-15. Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1987.

______. Word Biblical Commentaries, vol. 2, Genesis 16-50. Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1987.

The Prophetical Books

 

Bullock, C. Hassel. An Introduction to the Old Testament Prophetic Books. Chicago: Moody, 1999.

Duguid, Iain M. Daniel. Reformed Expository Commentary. Phillipsburg, N.J.: P&R, 2008.

New International Biblical Commentary series. Peabody, Massachusetts: Hendrickson.

Isaiah, John Goldingay.
Jeremiah, Lamentations, Tremper Longman III, 1996.
Minor Prophets I, Elizabeth Achtemeir, 1996.
Minor Prophets II, J. Goldingay and P. Scalise, 2009.

NIV Application Commentary series. Grand Rapids: Zondervan.

Isaiah, by John N. Oswalt
Jeremiah, by J. Andrew Dearman
Ezekiel, by Iain M. Duguid.
Daniel, by Tremper Longman III.
Hosea, Amos, Micah, by Gary V. Smith
Joel, Obadiah, Malachi, by David W. Baker
Jonah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zepheniah, by James Bruckner
Haggai, Zechariah, by Mark J. Boda

Wood, Leon. Commentary on Daniel. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1973. Wipf and Stock, 1998.

III. THE NEW TESTAMENT

 

General Bible Study

 

See under Old Testament:

 

          Software for Bible Study in General

          Dictionaries and Encyclopedias


          Commentaries on the Complete Bible

 

Introductory Information on the New Testament

 

Guthrie, Donald. New Testament Introduction. Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 1990.

          ________. The Apostles. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1975.

Harrison, Everett F. Introduction to the New Testament. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1971.

Longenecker, Richard N. The Ministry and Message of Paul. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1971.

________ The Road from Damascus; the Impact of Paul's Conversion on His Life, Thought. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1997.

________ Studies in Paul. Grand Rapids: Baker, 2004.

________ Paul, Apostle of Liberty. Grand Rapids: Baker, 19644.

New Bible Dictionary (3rd edition). Editors: D.R.W. Wood, N. Hillyer, J.D. Douglas and others. Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 1996.
-See "Chronology of the New Testament," pp. 194-199.
-See also the articles for books of the New Testament and for the authors of the New Testament.

New Bible Commentary. Editors: D.A. Carson, R.T. France, J.A. Motyer and others. Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 1994.
-See introductions to the books of the New Testament.

Ramsay, William M. St. Paul the Traveller and the Roman Citizen. Grand Rapids: Baker, 1982.

Ridderbos, Herman. Paul, An Outline of His Theology. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1975.

Steves, Rick. "The Life of Apostle Paul" (Video on YouTube)

Commentaries on the New Testament in General

 

Internet Resources

 

Bible Study Courses
Rev. Don Ritsman provides commentaries on many books of the Bible, with an emphasis on practical application.

Frame-Poythress
This website contains articles and books by these two important contemporary reformed theologians. To find an article, look under the corresponding author (Frame or Poythress), click on "Articles by Title," and scroll down to find the article in its alphabetical order.

 

We suggest you search especially for articles by Vern Poythress on different books of the New Testament, such as 2 Timothy, Acts, Johannine Studies, and Revelation.

 

 To find a book, click on "Books" and scroll down to find the title. We suggest the following book on the New Testament:


Poythress, Verne. The Returning King; A Guide to the Book of Revelation.

 

 

Printed Resources

 

Carson, D.A., and G.K. Beale. Commentary on the New Testament Use of the Old Testament. Grand Rapids: Baker, 2007.

Fee, Gordon, ed. New International Commentaries on the New Testament (various authors such as Leon Morris, F.F. Bruce, John Murray, F.W. Grosheide, Philip E. Hughes, and Herman N. Ridderbos) 18 volumes. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans.

Hendriksen, William. Commentaries (on most books of the New Testament). Grand Rapids: Baker.

The Gospels

 

Godet, Frederick Louis. Commentary on the Gospel of John. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1970.

 

Hendriksen, William. Exposition of the Gospel According to Matthew. Grand Rapids: Baker, 1978.

 

________. Exposition of the Gospel According to Mark. Grand Rapids: Baker, 1978.

 

________. Exposition of the Gospel According to Luke. Grand Rapids: Baker, 1978.

 

________. Exposition of the Gospel According to John. Grand Rapids: Baker, 1978.

 

Lane, William L. The Gospel According to Mark. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1974.

 

Marshall, Howard. The Gospel of Luke. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1978.

 

Morris, Leon. The Gospel According to John. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1971.


 

Acts

 

Bruce, F.F. The Book of Acts. New International Commentary on the New Testament. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1975.

Nicoll, W. Robertson, ed., The Expositor's Greek Testament, vol II (Acts, Romans, 1 Corinthians). Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1967.

 

Paul's Epistles

 

Third Millennium
Our own main website contains countless resources, including books, articles, videos and audio files. To find articles on theology, click on the "Read" tab. Browse through the categories, especially "Pauline Studies."

 

1 and 2 Corinthians

Blomberg, Craig. The NIV Application Commentary; 1 Corinthians. Grand Rapids: Zondervan 1994.

Fee, Gordon D. The First Epistle to the Corinthians. New International Commentary on the New Testament. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1987.

Grosheide, F.W. Commentary on the First Epistle to the Corinthians. New International Commentary on the New Testament. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1968.

Hughes, Philip Edgcumbe. Paul's Second Epistle to the Corinthians. New International Commentary on the New Testament. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1962.

MacArthur, John. 1 Corinthians. Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson, 2007.

Galatians

Bruce, F.F. The Epistle to the Galatians. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1982.

Hendriksen,William. New Testament Commentary; Galatians and Ephesians. Grand Rapids: Baker, 1979.

Luther, Martin. A Commentary on St. Paul's Epistle to the Galatians. Cambridge: James Clarke and Co., 1953 (originally published in German in 1535 and translated to English in 1575).

Ridderbos, Herman N. The Epistle of Paul to the Churches in Galatia. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1972.

 

Ephesians

 

Boice, James Montgomery. Ephesians; an Expositional Commentary. Grand Rapids: Baker, 2006.

 

Foulkes, Francis. The Epistle of Paul to the Ephesians. Tyndale New Testament Commentaries. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1975.

Hendriksen,William. New Testament Commentary; Galatians and Ephesians. Grand Rapids: Baker, 1967.

MacArthur, John. Ephesians; Our Immeasurable Blessings in Christ. Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 2007.

Nicoll, W. Robertson, ed. The Expositor's Greek Testament, vol III (2 Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians). Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1967.

Stott, John R.W. The Message of Ephesians; God's New Society. Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 1979.

 

Philippians

Hendriksen,William. New Testament Commentary; Philippians, Colossians, Philemon. Grand Rapids: Baker, 1979.

Muller, Jacobus J. The Epistles of Paul to the Philippians and to Philemon. The New International Commentary on the New Testament. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1974.

Nicoll, W. Robertson, ed., The Expositor's Greek Testament, vol III (2 Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians). Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1967.


Colossians

Harrison, Everett. Colossians. Chicago: Moody, 2001.

Hendriksen,William. New Testament Commentary; Philippians, Colossians, Philemon. Grand Rapids: Baker, 1979.

MacArthur, John. Colossians and Philemon. Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 2007.

Moo, Douglas. The Letter to the Colossians and to Philemon. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2008.

Nicoll, W. Robertson, ed. The Expositor's Greek Testament, vol III (2 Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians). Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1967.

 

1 and 2 Thessalonians

Hendriksen, William, Commentary on 1 and 2 Thessalonians. Grand Rapids: Baker, 1967.

Morris, Leon. The First and Second Epistles to the Thessalonians. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1975.

 

Philemon

Hendriksen,William. New Testament Commentary; Philippians, Colossians, Philemon. Grand Rapids: Baker, 1979.

MacArthur, John. Colossians and Philemon. Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 2007.

Moo, Douglas. The Letter to the Colossians and to Philemon. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2008.

Muller, Jacobus J. The Epistles of Paul to the Philippians and to Philemon. The New International Commentary on the New Testament. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1974.

 

Other Books of the New Testament

Johnson, Dennis E. The Triumph of the Lamb; a Commentary on Revelation. Philipsburg, N.J.: P&R Publishing, 2001.

Poythress, Verne. The Returning King; A Guide to the Book of Revelation. Philipsburg, N.J.: P&R Publishing, 2000.


 

IV. PRACTICAL THEOLOGY

 

Ethics

 

Internet Resources

 

Frame-Poythress
This website contains articles and books by these two important contemporary reformed theologians. To find an article, look under the corresponding author (Frame or Poythress), click on "Articles by Title," and scroll down to find the article in its alphabetical order.

 

We suggest you search especially for articles by John Frame on topics such as abortion, bioethics, civil disobedience, cloning, divorce, ethics, the fifth commandment, homosexuality, racism, slang, and war, for example.

 

Third Millennium
Find Calvin, John. Institutes of the Christian Religion. Click on "Read," then "Electronic Books," "Browse by Author," scroll down to "Medieval and Reformation Authors," click on "Calvin, John," and find "Institutes of the Christian Religion."
To read about his view of the use of the Old Testament law, see book 4, chapter 20.
See also book 2, chapter 7.

The Westminster Confession of Faith
To Read the statement about the Old Testament law, see chapter 19.

 

Printed Resources

Eckman, James P., Biblical Ethics; Choosing Right in a World Gone Wrong. Wheaton, Illinois: Crossway, 2004.

Frame, John. The Doctrine of the Christian Life. Phillipsburg, N.J.: Presbyterian and Reformed, 2008.

Jones, David Clyde, Biblical Christian Ethics. Grand Rapids: Baker, 1994.

Plantiga, Cornelius, Jr., Not the Way It's Supposed to Be; A Breviary of Sin. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1995.

Ryken, Philip Graham, Written in Stone; The Ten Commandments and Today's Moral Crisis. Wheaton, Illinois: Crossway, 2003.

Thompson, Les. The Ten Commandments; Godly Living in an Ungodly World. Miami: Logoi, 2007.

Apologetics

 

Internet Resources


Answers in Genesis
This web site is dedicated to defend creationism from a "young earth" perspective.

CARM
Christian Apologetics and Research Ministry
Many articles explaining classical apologetics, presuppositional apologetics, evidentialist apologetics, as well as contemporary issues.

Monergism
Look under "Gospel," "Apologetics." Links to writings of Cornelius Van Til, John Frame, John Piper, C.S. Lewis, and Douglas Groothuis.

Reasons to Believe

This web site defends creationism from an "old earth" perspective.

 

RZIM
Ravi Zacharias International Ministries.

 

Third Millennium

Look under "Read," "RPM Magazine," "Topic Archives" scroll down to "Practical Theology" and find "Apologetics."

 

 

Printed Resources

 

Bahnsen, Greg. Van Til's Apologetic. Phillipsburg, NJ: P&R Publishing, 1998.

 

Chesterton, G. K. The Everlasting Man. San Francisco: Ignatius Press, 1993.

 

———. Saint Thomas Aquinas: “The Dumb Ox.” New York: Image Books, 1956.

 

Cowan, Steven, ed. Five Views on Apologetics. Grand Rapids: Zondervan,

2000. Includes articles by Stanley N. Gundry, William Lane Craig, Paul

D. Feinberg, Kelly James Clark, John Frame, and Gary Habermas.

 

*Frame, John. Apologetics to the Glory of God: An Introduction. Phillipsburg,

NJ: P&R Publishing, 1994.

 

———. Cornelius Van Til: An Analysis of His Thought. Phillipsburg, NJ: P&R

Publishing, 1995.

 

Groothuis, Douglas R. Unmasking the New Age. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity

Press, 1986.

 

 ———. Truth Decay. Downers Grove: IL: InterVarsity Press, 2000. Analysis

of postmodernism.

 

Jones, Peter. The Gnostic Empire Strikes Back: An Old Heresy for the New Age.

Phillipsburg, NJ: P&R Publishing, 1992. Solid reformed perspective.

———. Stolen Identity: The Conspiracy to Reinvent Jesus. Colorado Springs:

David C. Cook, 2006.

 

Lewis, C. S. Mere Christianity. New York: HarperCollins, 2001 (original copyright,

1952).

 

———. Miracles. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1968.

 

———. The Problem of Pain. New York: Simon & Schuster. 1996.

 

———. Surprised by Joy. Harcourt Brace and Company, 1955.

 

MacArthur, John. The Truth War: Fighting for Certainty in an Age of Deception.

Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 2007.

 

McDowell, Josh. Evidence that Demands a Verdict. San Bernardino, CA: Here’s

Life Publishers, Inc., 1979.

 

———. More Evidence that Demands a Verdict. San Bernardino, CA: Here’s

Life Publishers, Inc., 1981.

 

———. New Evidence that Demands a Verdict. Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1999.

 

McDowell, Josh and Don Stewart. Answers to Tough Questions Skeptics Ask

About the Christian Faith. San Bernardino, CA: Here’s Life Publishers,

Inc., 1983.

 

Miller, Elliot. A Crash Course on the New Age Movement. Grand Rapids: Baker,

1989.

 

Packer, J. I. God Has Spoken: Revelation and the Bible. 3rd ed. Grand Rapids: Baker, 1993. One of the most popular contemporary Reformed theologians—

clear and practical.

 

———. Fundamentalism and the Word of God. Leicester: Inter-Varsity Fellowship,

1958.

 

*Pratt, Richard. Every Thought Captive: A Study Manual for the Defense of

Christian Truth. Phillipsburg, NJ: P&R Publishing, 1979. Clear, simple,

and practical manual that applies a Van Tilian approach to apologetics.

 

*Ramsay, Richard. The Certainty of the Faith. Phillipsburg, NJ: P&R Publishing, 2007. Analyzes the theme of uncertainty in the history of western philosophy, and shows that our certainty is in submitting to God's Word. Suggests using the best of apologetic arguments, as long as we always come back to God's Word as the final authority.

 

Schaeffer, Francis. Escape from Reason. Wheaton, IL: InterVarsity Press: 1968.

———. Francis A. Schaeffer Trilogy—The God Who Is There, Escape from Reason,

and He Is There and He Is Not Silent. Wheaton, IL: Crossway Books, 1990.

 

* ———. He Is There and He Is Not Silent. Wheaton, IL: Tyndale, 1980.

 

* ———. The God Who Is There. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1968. New edition with preface by James Sire, 1998.

 

Sire, James. A Little Primer on Humble Apologetics. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity

Press, 2006.

 

* ———. The Universe Next Door: A Basic World View Catalogue. Downers

Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1997.

 

———. Why Should Anyone Believe Anything at All? Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity

Press, 1994.

 

Van Til, Cornelius. Christian Apologetics. Phillipsburg, NJ: Presbyterian and

Reformed Publishing, 1976.

 

* ———. The Defense of the Faith. Phillipsburg, NJ: Presbyterian and Reformed

Publishing, 1979.

 

Zacharias, Ravi. Can Man Live Without God? Nashville: W. Publishing Group,

1994.


 

Ministry

 

Internet Resources

 

Desiring God 
Go to "Resource Library," "Articles," and scroll down to articles on "Church Leadership" and "Outreach."

 

Redeemer Presbyterian Church

Church pastored by Tim Keller. Go to "Learn" and "Resources" to find articles on ministry.

 

Third Millennium

Look under "Read," "RPM Magazine," "Topic Archives" scroll down to "Practical Theology."

 

Printed Resources

 

Aldrich, Joe. Lifestyle Evangelism. Colorado Springs, CO: Multnomah Publishing Group, 2006.

 

Conn, Harvie, and Manuel Ortiz. Urban Ministry. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 2001.

 

________. Evangelism; Doing Justice and Preaching Grace. Phillipsburg, NJ: P&R Publishing, 1992.

 

Clowney, Edmund. The Church. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1995.

 

Frame, John. Worship in Spirit and in Truth. Phillipsburg, NJ: P&R Publishing, 1996.

 

MacArthur, John. How to Share the Gospel Faithfully. Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson, 2011.

 

Packer, J.I. Evangelism and the Sovereignty of God. Downers Grove, IL: InverVarsity Press, 2008.

GUIDELINES FOR EVALUATING OPTIONAL READING

 

If an academic institution wishes to evaluate optional additional reading, we suggest they ask the student to use the "Form for Reading Reports" found below and that they follow the "Suggested Guidelines for Grading Reading Reports," also found below. Each institution will make their own requirements for the amount of reading they expect.

 

FORM FOR READING REPORTS

 

Bibliographical Data


Title:
Chapter:
Pages:
Author:
If article, name of magazine or website:

Editorial:

City:

Year of publication:

 

Outline and Summary of Contents
(Write a brief outline and a brief synthesis of what the author says.)

Evaluation

(Elaborate your own opinion about what the author says. Is it clear, precise, confusing, well-documented, out of context, too simple, too complicated? Is it biblical? Did you like it? Do you have any questions about the reading? Explain yourself.)

Personal Application

(What practical impact did this reading have on your life? Be specific.)



 

SUGGESTED GUIDELINES FOR GRADING READING REPORT

 

1. Bibliographical Information (10%)

 

          Is the information complete?

 

2. Outline and Summary of Contents (50%)

 

          Did the student read the materials and understand them?

 

3. Evaluation (20%)

 

          Did the student do his own reflection regarding the reading?

 

4. Personal Application (20%)

 

          Did the student make appropriate applications to his own life?