Commentary & Reference Survey: A Comprehensive Guide to Biblical and Theological Resources

Commentary & Reference Survey: A Comprehensive Guide to Biblical and Theological Resources. By John Glynn. 9th ed. Grand Rapids: Kregel, 2003, 311 pp., $18.99 paper.

Those of us who are continually inundated by students with questions regarding which commentaries they should buy will be extremely interested in this guide to buying biblical/theological books. This helpful revision by John Glynn-the ninth edition of his book that first appeared in 1994-reflects a thorough and contemporary updating and it is thus exceptionally current, at least for the immediate future.

Glynn evaluates a wide range of theological resources. The book is organized logically into the following 21 chapters: Building a "Must-Have" Personal Reference Library; On Commentary Series; OT Introduction, Survey, and Theology; OT Commentaries; OT Background; ANE History; NT Introduction, Survey, and Theology; Jesus and the Gospels; NT Commentaries; NT Background; Jewish Background; Popular Dictionaries, One- and Two-Volume Commentaries; General References; Biblical Hebrew Resources; NT Greek Resources; Exegesis, Interpretation, and Hermeneutics; Systematic Theology; Church History; Computer Resources; Internet Web Sites; and The Ultimate Commentary Collection.

This book is a practical guide designed primarily for students. Commentaries are classified according to the extent that they require knowledge of the original languages (Technical, Semi-technical, Exposition). They are also classified according to general theological stance (Evangelical, Evangelical/Critical, Conservative/Moderate, Liberal/ Critical). Also included in each section are Glynn's recommendations.

Rating commentaries and other theological books can be a bit like rating NFL quarterbacks; obviously, there is always some subjectivity involved. It is unlikely everyone will agree with every choice Glynn makes. However, overall, I found this work solid and extremely helpful. Glynn's recommendations are made from an evangelical viewpoint, but he is not narrow in his appreciation of serious biblical scholarship, and he recommends "Liberal/Critical" works when they are outstanding. Likewise, Glynn recommends theologies and commentaries across the theological spectrum.

One of the features of the book that I appreciated the most was Glynn's discussion of commentaries that were in progress but not yet published. For instance, regarding commentaries on the Gospel of John, he notes that Craig Keener has a three volume work that is forthcoming (Hendrickson) and that Richard Bauckham is working on the NIGTC volume for Eerdmans. Glynn thus recommends buying the currently available works on John by Blomberg (IVP) and Carson (Eerdmans), but waiting for Keener and Bauckham to supplement these two.

My only criticism-and it is a mild one-is that there is no price data given with the commentaries. Cost is always a factor when building a library. For example, the three-volume commentary on Matthew in the ICC by Davies and Allison is great, but its retail cost is $235! For that price one can purchase quite a few other commentaries that are also outstanding.

All in all, however, this is a well-balanced, helpful guide to buying commentaries and other theological resources. I heartily recommend it.

J. Daniel Hays

Ouachita Baptist University, Arkadelphia, AR

Copyright Evangelical Theological Society Sep 2004
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