Customer Reviews

Daniel (Reformed Expository Commentary)

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Duguid's book was given to me as a gift - the second given from this series of commentaries. The first sits among my books unread and guilt made me open this one right away and read it. Going cover to cover was as easy as reading a novel! It was helpful in a devotional way as well as having good scholarship.

The volume is a series of sermons the author preached on Daniel. The congregation of the Grace Presbyterian Church in Fallbrook, Calif. was privileged to hear them first. The sermons follow the book of Daniel as would any commentary. The book is accessible to laity, as well as clergy.

The author is unabashedly reformed - hitting the salient points of reformed theology like a hammer driving in a nail. As a reformed pastor, that was thoroughly enjoyable to me. Duguid teaches at Grove City College and is visiting professor at Westminster Seimary in California.

The other helpful theme repeated thoruughout the work is Daniel's courage. Duguid is careful, as any Calvinist should be, not to attribute to Daniel things which are gifts from God. Nevertheless, the book inspires one to courageous Chirstian leadership, action and thought. Not bad for a commnetary.

Reading this book has sparked me finally to open the other commentary in the Reformed Expostory Commentary series. Well that is to say it is four books away on my reading list!

Commentaries are always hard things to review. What one pastor likes another dislikes.

I am becoming a big fan of Iain Duguid. His commentaries are very readable for both laymen and clergy. I always look for commentaries that I can recommend to the people who teach our Adult Bible Fellowships. This is one of them.

I enjoyed reading this so much that I skipped my usual pattern of a chapter a day, instead I finished it in two days. Now I'm going back and really working on thinking through the things Iain points out. He has a very refreshing perspective on Daniel. He keeps Christ in the center of his discussions. He keeps reminding you that Daniel and his friends were just ordinary everyday people who God used in a mighty way because they were available and willing to be used.

The challenge you will receive very pointedly from Duguid is this, if faced with death because of your belief in Jesus Christ and your worship of Him, how would you respond? Would you be as diplomatic as Daniel was with the King's henchman? Would you be as calm as Daniel and his three friends when you are being unfairly lumped with other scholars whom you actually happen to disagree with? Are you as confident as Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego that your God will rescue you from the fiery furnace, but even if he does not, you want the King to know that you will not serve other gods or worship the graven imagine of the King?

In today's culture we face many idols that are as deadly as the statue that King Nebuchadnezzar had constructed and forced people to worship. We are pushed to worship money, possessions, rock stars, politicians, political causes, etc. What is the idol that you are being pushed to worship that is taking the place of Jesus Christ? Duguid does a great job of tying the Old Testament Book of Daniel into our daily lives and helping us see the relevance.

I could go on, but won't. Suffice it to say, this short commentary on Daniel will be the first one I recommend to others when they are starting their study of Daniel.

So, why didn't I give it five stars? Well, I can't put a finger on it. I think there could have been a little more depth in some sections, but that's just my desire. You will love this book.

Enjoy!

This commentary has a few things going for it. It's easily readable, almost devotional in quality. It is also completely Christological (in having Christ always at the forefront). And opens your eyes to the wealth of knowledge that is the Old Testament, demonstrating that really all of Scripture is useful for teaching (2 Tim. 3:16).

While this isn't a technical commentary, the point of the REC is to be pastoral and in the introduction to the series that is made quite clear. This commentary would be great for the layperson, in fact, any one can profit from it - which, I think, is the sign of a good commentary.

If further commentaries in the REC are as good as this one then I will be buying them.