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Rating: 
Summary: All in one resource
Review: I am writing a paper concerning Flood stories throughout the early Hebrew and Sumerian regions. This one book had all the information I needed! The other volumes are equally expansive and illuminating. You get not only commentary but thoughful reflection as well. After reading any of these volumes you will walk away with a much better feel for the Biblical material.
Rating:
Summary: The Best of the Best
Review: Most people understand that the study of Scripture is an enormous task; and that there is a considerable theological heritage to even the most benign of passages. Unfortunately, it is sometimes difficult to translate that understanding into a willingness to genuinely delve into the vast pool of material out there. In addition, it's hard to know whom to trust.
You can trust the New Interpreter's Bible series. All of the scholars who contributed are the best in their field. In addition, the layout (which includes two complete translations - the NIV and the NRSV) is conducive to both scholarly and spiritual study of the texts.
Each text is broken down into discrete units followed by general commentary on the passage, verse by vers analysis of key issues, and then an overview of study questions. The commentators address issues of authorship, historical setting, translation, theological history, and personal application. In addition, they graciously point to excellent sources for further reading.
Speaking as a pastor, it is my strong opinion that every English-speaking Christian who is serious about Bible study should own the complete set.
Rating:
Summary: The Best of the Best
Review: Most people understand that the study of Scripture is an enormous task; and that there is a considerable theological heritage to even the most benign of passages. Unfortunately, it is sometimes difficult to translate that understanding into a willingness to genuinely delve into the vast pool of material out there. In addition, it's hard to know who to trust.You can trust the New Interpreter's Bible series. All of the scholars who contributed are the best in their field. In addition, the layout (which includes two complete translations - the NIV and the NRSV) is conducive to both scholarly and spiritual study of the texts. Each text is broken down into discret units (i.e. the Tower of Babel) followed by general commentary on the passage, verse by vers analysis of key issues, and then an overview of study questions. The commentators address issues of authorship, historical setting, translation, theological history, and personal application. In addition, they graciously point to excellent sources for further reading. Speaking as a pastor, it is my strong opinion that every English-speaking Christian who is serious about Bible study should own the complete set.
Rating:
Summary: Torah and History
Review: The New Interpreter's Bible is a twelve-volume series, updating the popular Interpreter's Bible from a few decades ago. There are several key features common to all of the volumes of this series. First, each includes a two-column, double translation of the Biblical text (NIV - New International Version, and NRSV - New Revised Standard Version) arranged by topical unit or story. Then, they provide commentaries that look at the passages as a whole, as well as verse-by-verse. Third, interesting Reflection pieces that relate the passages to each other, to history, and to current concerns occur at the conclusion of each passage. Fourth, introductory articles for each book are provided that discuss transmission, historical background, cultural setting, literary concerns, and current scholarship. Finally, there are general articles about the Bible, each Testament, and various types of literature (Narrative, Gospel, Wisdom Literature, etc.) are provided to give general placement and knowledge about the text overall. The list of contributors, editors, and consultants on the project is a veritable Who's Who of biblical and theological scholarship, representing all major traditions and schools of thought liberal and conservative. Leander Keck, of the Yale Divinity School, is the primary editor of the series. The volumes were published individually, and can be purchased individually, which is a good thing, given that they are a bit expensive. But for any serious biblical scholar, preacher, student, or enthusiast, they are invaluable. --Volume II-- The second volume of the New Interpreter's Bible completes the Torah with Numbers and Deuteronomy, and begins a look at the `histories', more precisely termed in the NIB as Narrative Literature, with the books of Joshua, Judges, Ruth, I and II Samuel. The book of Numbers is addressed by Thomas Dozeman of United Theological Seminary, Dayton. Ronald Clements of King's College, London, looks at the book of Deuteronomy, a book upon which he has published another commentary. Robert Coote of San Francisco Theological Seminary, takes Joshua. Dennis Olson of Princeton Theological Seminary looks at the book of Judges. Kathleen Robertson Farmer, also at United Theological in Dayton, addresses the book of Ruth. Bruce Birch, Dean of Wesley Theological Seminary in Washington, DC, completes the volume with the two books of Samuel. Perhaps of special note here is the book of Ruth (why is it that the task of this book is given to a woman, and all other book of this volume to men?). In her commentary, Kathleen Roberton Farmer wrote, `Reading history through the lens of Ruth is more like looking through a kaleidoscope than a microscope. While the dominant themes of redemption and insider/outsider dynamics remain constant within the story, every rotation of the proposed background against which the story is read causes these themes to fall into a different pattern.' Something similar could be said by many of the commentators about the way the texts are addressed here. Peter Miscall of the Illiff School of Theology provides a general article discussing Narrative Literature, looking at the relationship of narrative and history, narrative and author/storyteller, and the importance of components such as character, plot, theme and style. Miscall also examines some of the shifting emphases over the past generation of biblical scholarship generally, exploring in a little detail newer theories and methods of literary analysis. High praise goes to the general editorial staff for working with such strong authors/scholars, that their work fits together well as part of this set while retaining their individual characteristics (much like the writers of the Bible itself!). --Other volumes available-- The following is a list of each volume in this twelve-volume set, and the contents of each. Volume I: General Articles on the Bible; General Articles on the Old Testament; Genesis; Exodus; Leviticus Volume II: Numbers; Deuteronomy; Introduction to Narrative Literature; Joshua; Judges; Ruth; I & II Samuel Volume III: I & II Kings; I & II Chronicles; Ezra, Nehemiah; Esther; Additions to Esther; Tobit; Judith Volume IV: I & II Maccabees; Introduction to Hebrew Poetry; Job; Psalms Volume V: Introduction to Wisdom Literature; Proverbs; Ecclesiastes; Song of Songs; Book of Wisdom; Sirach Volume VI: Introduction to Prophetic Literature; Isaiah; Jeremiah; Baruch; Letter of Jeremiah; Lamentations; Ezekiel Volume VII: Introduction to Apocalyptic Literature; Daniel; Additions to Daniel; Hosea; Joel; Amos; Obadiah; Johan; Micah; Nahum; Habakkuk; Zephaniah; Haggai; Zechariah; Malachi Volume VIII: General Articles on the New Testament; Matthew; Mark Volume IX: Luke; John Volume X: Acts; Introduction to Epistolary Literature; Romans, I Corinthians Volume XI: II Corinthians; Galatians; Ephesians; Philippians; Colossians; I & II Thessalonians; I & II Timothy; Titus; Philemon Volume XII: Hebrews; James; I & II Peter; I, II & III John; Jude; Revelation
Rating:
Summary: Torah and History
Review: The New Interpreter's Bible is a twelve-volume series, updating the popular Interpreter's Bible from a few decades ago. There are several key features common to all of the volumes of this series. First, each includes a two-column, double translation of the Biblical text (NIV - New International Version, and NRSV - New Revised Standard Version) arranged by topical unit or story. Then, they provide commentaries that look at the passages as a whole, as well as verse-by-verse. Third, interesting Reflection pieces that relate the passages to each other, to history, and to current concerns occur at the conclusion of each passage. Fourth, introductory articles for each book are provided that discuss transmission, historical background, cultural setting, literary concerns, and current scholarship. Finally, there are general articles about the Bible, each Testament, and various types of literature (Narrative, Gospel, Wisdom Literature, etc.) are provided to give general placement and knowledge about the text overall. The list of contributors, editors, and consultants on the project is a veritable Who's Who of biblical and theological scholarship, representing all major traditions and schools of thought liberal and conservative. Leander Keck, of the Yale Divinity School, is the primary editor of the series. The volumes were published individually, and can be purchased individually, which is a good thing, given that they are a bit expensive. But for any serious biblical scholar, preacher, student, or enthusiast, they are invaluable. --Volume II-- The second volume of the New Interpreter's Bible completes the Torah with Numbers and Deuteronomy, and begins a look at the 'histories', more precisely termed in the NIB as Narrative Literature, with the books of Joshua, Judges, Ruth, I and II Samuel. The book of Numbers is addressed by Thomas Dozeman of United Theological Seminary, Dayton. Ronald Clements of King's College, London, looks at the book of Deuteronomy, a book upon which he has published another commentary. Robert Coote of San Francisco Theological Seminary, takes Joshua. Dennis Olson of Princeton Theological Seminary looks at the book of Judges. Kathleen Robertson Farmer, also at United Theological in Dayton, addresses the book of Ruth. Bruce Birch, Dean of Wesley Theological Seminary in Washington, DC, completes the volume with the two books of Samuel. Perhaps of special note here is the book of Ruth (why is it that the task of this book is given to a woman, and all other book of this volume to men?). In her commentary, Kathleen Roberton Farmer wrote, 'Reading history through the lens of Ruth is more like looking through a kaleidoscope than a microscope. While the dominant themes of redemption and insider/outsider dynamics remain constant within the story, every rotation of the proposed background against which the story is read causes these themes to fall into a different pattern.' Something similar could be said by many of the commentators about the way the texts are addressed here. Peter Miscall of the Illiff School of Theology provides a general article discussing Narrative Literature, looking at the relationship of narrative and history, narrative and author/storyteller, and the importance of components such as character, plot, theme and style. Miscall also examines some of the shifting emphases over the past generation of biblical scholarship generally, exploring in a little detail newer theories and methods of literary analysis. High praise goes to the general editorial staff for working with such strong authors/scholars, that their work fits together well as part of this set while retaining their individual characteristics (much like the writers of the Bible itself!). --Other volumes available-- The following is a list of each volume in this twelve-volume set, and the contents of each. Volume I: General Articles on the Bible; General Articles on the Old Testament; Genesis; Exodus; Leviticus Volume II: Numbers; Deuteronomy; Introduction to Narrative Literature; Joshua; Judges; Ruth; I & II Samuel Volume III: I & II Kings; I & II Chronicles; Ezra, Nehemiah; Esther; Additions to Esther; Tobit; Judith Volume IV: I & II Maccabees; Introduction to Hebrew Poetry; Job; Psalms Volume V: Introduction to Wisdom Literature; Proverbs; Ecclesiastes; Song of Songs; Book of Wisdom; Sirach Volume VI: Introduction to Prophetic Literature; Isaiah; Jeremiah; Baruch; Letter of Jeremiah; Lamentations; Ezekiel Volume VII: Introduction to Apocalyptic Literature; Daniel; Additions to Daniel; Hosea; Joel; Amos; Obadiah; Johan; Micah; Nahum; Habakkuk; Zephaniah; Haggai; Zechariah; Malachi Volume VIII: General Articles on the New Testament; Matthew; Mark Volume IX: Luke; John Volume X: Acts; Introduction to Epistolary Literature; Romans, I Corinthians Volume XI: II Corinthians; Galatians; Ephesians; Philippians; Colossians; I & II Thessalonians; I & II Timothy; Titus; Philemon Volume XII: Hebrews; James; I & II Peter; I, II & III John; Jude; Revelation
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