Dennis

For those who are familiar with the Evangelical Training Association (ETA, formally the ETTA), here are some of their works made available again, this time as compilations. These books are designed for new Christians who want to know the basics of the faith. They were originally created for teachers who wanted to teach the basics. Each chapter contains application activities and discussion questions for individual use or group study.

Exploring the Bible contains three books: Exploring the Basics of the Bible by R. Laird Harris (PCA, who went to be with the Lord in May of this year), Exploring the Old Testament by Samuel Schultz and Gary Smith, and Exploring the New Testament by Walter Dunnett.

Exploring Church History has three sections by James Eckman: Exploring Church History, The Truth about Worldviews, and Biblical Ethics.

Exploring Theology also has three parts by Clarence Benson (founder of ETA) and Robert Morgan: The One True God, Biblical Faith, and Evidence and Truth.

In today’s world, many have lost sight of the basics of our faith. here is a collection of three books that are great for new Christians, teachers, and those who have not learned, or have forgotten, the basics.

Every decade or so a new book will come out helping Christians understand the history of the transmission of the Bible from its original writings to today. Some have been very helpful and others simply words and little help. Arnold has given us wh at I believe is the best book ever done on the subject. This book lets pictures speak more loudly than words. Every page is filled with full color photos of everything from papyrus fragments to pictures of men like Bruce Metzger, who gave us the United Bible Societies’ most used Greek text.

The book begins with a description of early writing, alphabets, writing utensils, and writing surfaces. It goes on to explain all the different types of manuscripts and how they influenced the copies of the Bible found in different places throughout the early church world, including the Dead Sea Scrolls and the Greek Old Testament.

Arnold incorporates charts and outlines throughout to keep us up on the flow of history. He also gives us a breakdown of the characteristics of the major Bible versions used today. The publication year, reading grade level, approach of the translators, and distinctives are included in the breakdown.

This book can be used by an individual, but the book measures 8.5×11″and can also be held up in small classrooms. I have written to Zondervan to suggest they follow the book up with a Power Point presentation for teachers, or even a DVD going through the whole book. I will let you know what they say.

It may seem strange to you to see us review a book written for Africans, but it might help if we remember that the Bible is not a book written by Westerners, nor was it written in a Western culture. For the first time, there is a one volume commentary written by non-Westerners for Africans. Over 70 African evangelical scholars worked for more than a decade to produce this much needed work.

Now, what does it have to do with us in the US? It has a lot more than you realize for us. When you read the Gospels, do you ever wonder why things are not “logically” and chronologically laid out for us? An understanding of non-Western culture teaches us that it is not time and chronology that is important; it is the event that is important. Also keep in mind that our church ‘s early history was focused in Africa in men like Athanasius and Augustine, who said, “After all, God is closer to the people when He speaks in their language.”

The ABC [African Bible Commentary] is not a critical academic, verse-by-verse commentary. Rather, it contains section-by-section exegesis and explanation of the whole Bible as seen through the eyes of African scholars who respect the integrity of the text and use African proverbs, metaphors and stories to make it speak to African believers in the villages and cities. The application is both bold and faithful. Thus the ABC does not speak of a Black Jesus. To do so would be a travesty of the Bible story and cheap scholarship. Instead, the ABC is true to the text and honest to its context both in Bible days and in our day (p. ix).

Included in appropriate places are seventy-nine articles dealing with subjects such as angels, demons and powers; family and community; female genital mutilation; AIDS; ancestor worship; syncretism; street children; the role of women in the church; and witchcraft.

As a missionary in Africa after having dealt with Christian books for many years in the US, I soon realized that books in Africa do not cost more than in the US; but they take a great deal more of a person’s income to buy them. Books for most Africans and African pastors cost so much more than their meager salaries allow. If there is any suggestion I would make, it would be for you and your church to consider purchasing this work and sending it to either missionaries in Africa or Africans you know there. You might also help support the work of PCA organizations that work directly with African leaders, like Educating Africans for Christ, based out of First Presbyterian Church in Jackson, Miss., or Equipping Pastors International founded by Jack Arnold, who died in the pulpit preaching about heaven. Don’t miss this great opportunity to learn and to help others to learn God’s Word.

The Old Testament saints had many ways to live and relive the great works of God, such as the Passover. The saints today have two basic ways to do the same in the sacraments. But why are there so many different positions on each of these subjects?

These two books, part of Zondervan’s Counterpoint Series, are perhaps the best way to study these issues because each position is written and defended by those who hold it. The other views then have a chance to refute the position, and finally the original author has the final rebuttal. This approach eliminates the typical “straw-man” arguments that many times are used to defend one’s own position.

The first book includes resources, such as a listing of statements on the Lord’s Supper from creeds and confessions, quotations from noted Christians, a resource listing of books on the Lord’s Supper, and discussion questions for each chapter to facilitate small group and classroom use. It covers the Roman Catholic view (transubstantiation), Lutheran view (consubstantiation), Baptist view (memorialism), and the Reformed view (spiritual presence). The defenders are Russell Moore, John Hesselink, David Scaer, and Thomas Baima.

The baptism volume covers the Baptist view by Thomas Nettles, the Lutheran view by Robert Kolb, the Christian Church/Church of Christ view by John Castelein, and Richard Pratt writes on our Reformed view.

There are many books in this format by several different publishers. To see more of these balanced approaches to many topics see the Doctrine/Multiview section of our catalog or go to our website at www.cepbookstore.com.

It is so helpful to know that for those of us who did not excel with our Greek and Hebrew that there are many good reference works that explain the major words for us. Here are two very good works that deal with both the Hebrew and the Greek.

The Holman work splits the book in half and separates the studies. There are 200 Hebrew and 200 Greek words defined – one page each. They are clear and plainly explained.

Renn’s work is much more extensive. One of the benefits in this book is whenever an English word has both Hebrew and Greek equivalents, they are dealt with at the same time showing all the different meanings and nuances. There is a note section that “explain[s] how the theme, concept, or doctrine shaped by the Hebrew terminology is fulfilled in the Greek vocabulary of the New Testament, especially in relation to the consummation of God’s plan of salvation.” Hendrickson Publishers also includes the entire work on CD Rom for even faster reference and the ability to cut and paste into your sermon, teaching notes, or documents. There are many more works on this CD, such as commentaries and dictionaries. The price is also very good compared to many reference works that cost more than $40.

Both books work from the English word, which helps those of us who are rusty in Hebrew and Greek, and they are keyed to Strong’s revised numbering system. For example, if you look up the word “know” you will find the Hebrew usage; but you will also find the two major Greek words and how they differ. If you have never seen the difference you need to look this one up – quickly!