Commentary and Reference Survey: A Comprehensive Guide to Biblical and Theological Resources [Paperback]

John Glynn (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 3, 2003 | ISBN-10: 0825427363 | ISBN-13: 978-0825427367 | Edition: 9

(Foreword by Darrell L. Bock) This reliable guide lists and ranks approximately 800 commentaries and 1,200 volumes related to biblical interpretation, theology, church history, and computer resources. (20070508)

Editorial Reviews

Review

I have been using John Glynn's Commentary and Reference Survey 10th edition and have found it to be an indispensable source. I was showing my students this most recent edition and one student commented that he wished his professors had drawn his attention to a resource like this at the beginning of his college career. Now in all of my classes I intend to introduce my students to Glynn's book. I know of resource like this which includes commentaries, surveys of both testaments, background studies, linguistic tools, systematics, church history, and in this latest edition a new section on Exegetical and Bible Study Computer Programs. Undergirding all of this is Glynn's sensitivity to the needs of lay people, Bible college/seminary students and pastors as he offers judicious comment and guidance suited to their needs and their pockets! (Prof. Trevor J. Burke Moody Bible Institute Bible Department 20070508)

I have been using John Glynn's Commentary and Reference Survey 10th edition and have found it to be an indispensable source. I was showing my students this most recent edition and one student commented that he wished his professors had drawn his attention to a resource like this at the beginning of his college career. Now in all of my classes I intend to introduce my students to Glynn's book. I know of resource like this which includes commentaries, surveys of both testaments, background studies, linguistic tools, systematics, church history, and in this latest edition a new section on Exegetical and Bible Study Computer Programs. Undergirding all of this is Glynn's sensitivity to the needs of lay people, Bible college/seminary students and pastors as he offers judicious comment and guidance suited to their needs and their pockets! (Prof. Trevor J. Burke Moody Bible Institute Bible Department 20040603)

So many commentaries, so little shelfspace. Glynn's comprehensive, up-to-date guide helps 'narrow the field' for pastors and students. (Christian Book Distributors 20040603)

. . . Invaluable to every evangelical church librarian. - (Church Libraries 20040603)

[An] excellent resource designed to help you make your way through the commentary maze . . . (Preaching 20040603)

If you want to get the most bang for your book-buying buck, you'll find this book to be a helpful tool. (Preaching Now 20040603)

Well worth the investment. It could save you thousands of dollars. (Biblical Worldview )

About the Author

John Glynn, a lifelong resident of Massachusetts, is a freelance academic proofreader and writer. He is a graduate of Emerson College in Boston.

Product Details

• Paperback: 320 pages
• Publisher: Kregel Academic & Professional; 9 edition (July 3, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0825427363
• ISBN-13: 978-0825427367
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 6.4 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,153,829 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

57 of 58 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Some strengths, some weaknesses, March 8, 2004

By 

Peter Richert (Round Rock, TX United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Commentary and Reference Survey: A Comprehensive Guide to Biblical and Theological Resources (Paperback)

I must begin by saying that everyone should buy this book as it is only $14 bucks. If it saves you from buying one commentary then it has paid for itself. Whether or not you ultimately agree with all his recommendations only time will tell, but it is always helpful to have one more voice for advice and a respected one at that.

This survey has some strong points and weak points and I will list both. A lot of my comparisons will be made with D.A. Carson's "New Testament Commentary Survey" and Longman's "Old Testament Commentary Survey".

Strengths:
1) He has a conservative bias. This is generally listed as a weakness below but for us conservative people this is exactly what we are looking for. It is true that less-conservative commentaries are often helpful and indeed, Glynn recommends some. Nevertheless, it is for this very reason that we are buying this survey, so we can be steered in direction we find orthodox.

2) He lists the author's bias. Glynn lists authors as Evangelical (E), Evangelical yet slightly critical (E/cr), Conservative/Moderate (C/M) or liberal critical (L/cr). This is very helpful when choosing commentaries and is not listed in either Carson's or Longmen's commentaries. True, it is often spelled out in their descriptions but not always(!)

3) He covers both the new and old testament, as well as a whole host of other fields such as systematic theology, end times, church history, NT/OT/Biblical theology; all of which we may also seek recommendations.

4) He gives some information on future volumes which is often interesting.

5) He often gives a one liner that may help categorize the position on controversial subjects (for example, post-trib: Revelation, complimentarian:Pastorals, charismatic:1 Corinthians, etc.)

Weaknesses

1) He doesn't rank his commentaries on either an absolute scale (1-5 stars) or relative to one another. This is quite frustrating as sometimes he seems to like almost every commentary in the field. Also, it leaves out commentaries he doesn't recommend quite in the cold, with no hint as to whether it just barely missed the list or is out right heresy. This can be really frustrating when it is a commentary you happen to think IS good.

2) He doesn't really add any discussion on the commentaries. On selected commentaries he does, but this is the exception rather then the rule. This is once again frustrating when he lists many commentaries or doesn't list those you might expect.

3) He defines two categories of commentaries, technical and semi-technical, with the distinction that semi-technical leaves its technical discussion to the footnotes. But then he goes on to list both of these types of commentaries under one heading and doesn't differentiate between the two. This was the most frustrating aspect to me since this is the very distinction I am looking for in a commentary(!)

All in all, I find Carson's and Longmen's work more helpful but I am glad I have this second voice (in both the OT and NT) to compare these two with.

I think a combination of the three approaches used by Carson, Longman, and Glynn would be most helpful. List the books in order that you recommend them (Carson), have detailed discussion about whom the book is for (Longman/Carson), give an absolute rating (Longman), list the authors bias (Glynn), summarize controversial stances (Glynn), include future predictions (Glynn) ,differentiate between technical and semi-technical (nobody), and finally WRITE LONG AND MEANINGFUL DISCUSSIONS ABOUT EACH COMMENTARY.

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A Very Good Commentary & Reference Survey, November 23, 2003

By 

Jonathan Archer "ReligBookFreak" (Grand Prairie, TX United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Commentary and Reference Survey: A Comprehensive Guide to Biblical and Theological Resources (Paperback)

This book is a money saver! I hate buying a book, only to find out that it is not worth the paper it is printed on. What a waste of money!! Glynn's book prevents me from making these ill-advised purchases. However, the biggest problem with a book of this type is that it becomes obsolete as soon as it is published. The publisher needs to arrange for quarterly online updates for all who have purchased the book. Otherwise, this is a very helpful survey, in that it tells you the theological bent of the author by classifying each book in one of the following categories: Evangelical, Evangelical/Critical, Conservative/Moderate, and Liberal/Critical. Glynn defines each of these categories.

A previous reviewer criticized Glynn's recommendations as being biased towards conservative commentaries and not recommending any of the Interpretation series in the Old Testament. This is NOT TRUE. Glynn oftentimes recommends a liberal commentary over a conservative one (for example, Houtman on Exodus, Japhet on Chronicles, Fox on Esther, Clines on Job, Clifford on Proverbs, Fox on Proverbs, Seow on Ecclesiastes, etc.). He also recommends a couple of volumes from the Interpretation series; for example, Mays on Psalms and Dobbs-Allsopp on Lamentations.

I find that Glynn is even-handed in his recommendations. Sometimes he will recommend a liberal commentary; othertimes, he will recommend moderate or conservative commentaries.

In Glynn's earlier editions of this wonderful guide, he listed the commentaries in order of quality; the best first and the worst last. Now, however, he lists them alphabetically, with the recommended commentaries in bold. The problem is that the reader has no way to know which books "just missed" getting a recommendation. These "just missed" books are grouped together with some of the worst books on the list, listed in alphabetical order and with no way to tell them apart. I hope that future editions revert back to Glynn's earlier method of listing the books; that is, in order of quality.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Indispensable, May 26, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: Commentary and Reference Survey: A Comprehensive Guide to Biblical and Theological Resources (Paperback)

            So many commentaries, so little shelfspace. Glynn's comprehensive, up-to-date guide helps 'narrow the field' for pastors and students. Using input from many experts, he lists, ranks, and annotates over 800 commentaries; 1,200 volumes; and a wide selection of software. Resources are categorized by difficulty level and approach.
Commentaries are separated into Technical/Semi-technical and Expositional categories with annotation concerning the top choices. For instance, in the Book of Romans, Glynn highly recommends the technical/semi-technical commentaries of Charles Cranfield (Moderate Anglican), and Douglas Moo (Lutheran), as well as the expositional commentaries of Thomas Schreiner ( So. Baptist), and John Stott (Evangelical Anglican). Glynn also suggests a few alternatives.

       In the last few years Expositional commentaries have especially flourished. Many of these commentaries are applicational in nature, providing guidance for illustrations to spice up sermons. One cannot underestimate the value of illustrations in not only painting a picture of a biblical principle, but in keeping people's attention for 20-30 minutes. I don't know about you, but it only takes me 15 minutes to fall asleep (and I must confess it has actually happened)!
      
       The foreword is by Dr. Darrell Bock (Dallas Theo. Seminary), and it is endorsed by Drs. Haddon Robinson (Gordon-Conwell), Daniel Block (Southern Baptist Theo. Seminary), John Walton (Wheaton), George Knight (Greenville Presbyterian), and Eugene Merrill (DTS). This survey is indispensable.