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A Guide to Biblical Commentaries & Reference Works: for Students & Pastors


We are privileged to partner with the Covenant Seminary Bookstore to publish A Guide to Biblical Commentaries & Reference Works for Students & Pastors by Dr. John F. Evans.

With thousands of commentaries on the Bible available, including dozens and sometimes hundreds for individual books, it can be difficult for students and pastors (and even many academics) to keep track of the options. How do the different series and authors approach the Bible? What commentaries are critical and/or more theologically liberal in their interpretation? Which writers share a given theological approach (e.g., Reformed, Wesleyan, etc.)? Without help, students and pastors could waste precious time and money searching for the tools they need to aid their study.

Now in its 9th edition, Dr. Evans's guide is a comprehensive survey and bibliography of resources that is one of the most thorough and detailed aids available to help pastors and theological students sort through the many volumes of commentaries and reference works that are available to them. Evans surveys the vast majority of commentary series, individual commentaries by book, and other resources directly related to exegetical research and biblical interpretation.

In addition, Evans includes recommendations for: a "Bare-Bones" library of essentials; an ideal pastor's reference library; and a suggested "ultimate reference library".

Regularly updated, A Guide to Biblical Commentaries & Reference Works is one of the very few works of its kind to be conversant with recent releases. It is also the largest of its kind, and one of the few single-volume surveys that covers the entire Bible.

Specifications:


ISBN: 978-0-9828715-6-0 (print); 978-0-9828715-7-7 (digital)

Available editions:
  • Trade Paperback (6.14 x 9.21in., 394 pages); $16.95
  • DRM-free PDF; $8.95

Get a copy (or multiple copies) or view a sample:



What others are saying about A Guide to Biblical Commentaries & Reference Works:



John F. Evans’ A Guide to Biblical Commentaries and Reference Works (9th ed.) is an indispensable handbook for scholars, preachers, and serious students of the Bible. Covering both the Old and New Testaments, book by book, Evans offers an update (9th ed. no less!) of his guide to commentaries and reference works, a daunting task, but one he has accomplished with remarkable currency and theological sensitivity. This work is not a dry bibliographical list, but is distinguished by ample and insightful annotations, providing a “guide” in the real sense of the word. Of particular value also is his introduction which contains “Standards for Evaluating Commentaries,” an excellent list of “Other Bibliographies,” along with the author’s assessments, and a most helpful evaluation of the major commentary series. The broad theological range of the works included is a further positive quality of the Guide, which belongs alongside the reference books in the libraries of scholars and preachers alike.
C. Hassell Bullock
Franklin S. Dyrness Professor of Biblical Studies, Emeritus
Wheaton College, Wheaton, IL


This exhaustive and practical volume is a tool that needs to be in the hands of every minister and Biblical studies teacher. With so many books now in print, we need a guide to lead us through the maze of titles. John Evans is precisely who we need. With a remarkable knowledge of the discipline, Evans has selected the best titles for ongoing study, written annotations for each entry, and the result has been the most thorough bibliography in print. Very highly recommended.
Gary M. Burge, Ph.D.
Professor of New Testament
Wheaton College and Graduate School, Wheaton, IL


Evans' annotations of the NT commentaries are very impressive. He is well versed in both critical/liberal and conservative views. I rarely found an annotation that I could disagree with. My New Testament seminary students need this book. This will be immensely helpful for their research on papers and for deciding which commentaries to buy for their future pastorates. I especially appreciate Evan's even-handed annotations of critical/liberal New Testament commentaries. He notes many positives, but also offers brief critiques based on a conservative/evangelical/Reformed view point. Evans has a very good grasp of the many scholarly issues that are present in New Testament commentaries. He also is concerned to note which commentaries are useful for evangelical pastors. Although knowledgeable about the liberal/critical world, Evans is clearly evaluating the New Testament commentaries from an evangelical/Reformed perspective. My students and many pastors will appreciate that.
Robert Cara, Ph.D.
Hugh and Sallie Reaves Professor of New Testament
Reformed Theological Seminary, Charlotte, NC


It is exceptionally well done and far better than anything else I have seen! The introductory material is excellent. It seems to me to be something that will help a lot of students and pastors, and even professors!
Donald Hagner, PhD
George Eldon Ladd Professor Emeritus of New Testament
Fuller Theological Seminary, Pasadena, CA