Customer Reviews

Genesis through Revelation (Thru the Bible 5 Volume Set)

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Perhaps Dr. McGee's favorite phrase expressed best, his philosophy of teaching the Word of God: "...let me put the cookies on the bottom shelf, so the children can enjoy them too." This is a commentary everyone can enjoy! It is the much more useable version of his single book commentaries which ended up three feet long!

First off, this commentary set is not exhaustive. It is easy to understand, full of practical illustrations, and does not cover every single verse of scripture. It is the compilation of the entire five-year "Thru the Bible" radio commentary put into print, and though it's not the first commentary I go to, it's the last one I'd part with!

Years ago, I ordered every one of the 266 tapes that Dr. McGee broadcasts on "Thru the Bible". I'm proud to say that I've probably listened to the entire set three of four times. Like Dr. McGee, I believe Scripture profits us most when studied as a whole. So, when the transcribed commentary set came out, I had to have it--more as a reward to myself than as a set I would use often. (I do sometimes enjoy following the commentary as he teaches on radio!) The index is a tremendous help, and a MUST for organizing themes, illustrations, cross references, etc.

In short, if you want a simple and practical explanation of the Bible from Genesis to Revelation, this might well be your best first commentary set. Used along side a good study Bible such as the Zondervan Study Bible, or the MacArthur Study Bible (see my reviews), there is much to be learned. The commentary is not deep, but it's good, and best of all, he's right on track in the interpretation of God's Word.

I loved Dr. McGee when he was alive, and appreciate him more now that he's gone. The best compliment I can give him is to say that this set will make you thirst for deeper involvement in the Scripture, and to know that his work makes us hungry for more would have warmed the heart of J. Vernon McGee. He was my hero.

These books are as if you were sitting, visiting on the porch of your old uncle Vernon down the road a-piece, until you realize that this learned and delightful man has more initials after his name than you could think. Mr. McGee takes a single word, a sentence and a chapter from scripture and puts flesh on it, makes it real and gives it the flavor of the day and the reality of now. His delightful humor and easy wit smooth the way of learning.

Study of the Old and New Testaments can get bogged down in interpretation, reference and a thousand other thoughts. Mr. McGee not only guides you, but his demonstration of the significance of just one word has the ability to open your thinking in ways you would not have easily determined on your own. His thinking adhears to the written word and you are left with the realization that his teaching is valuable.

This process has become a most enjoyable passtime as opposed to a duty of study. Honestly, I look forward to my time studying now with a new entheusiastic interest. If you are really interested in insight and direction through scripture, Mr. McGee is just the man to help. I recommend these books wholeheartedly.

This commentary on every book of the Bible is taken from J. Vernon McGee's Radio Broadcast. His friendly, easy, style translates well to the printed page, as does his conviction that the entire Bible is the Wholly inspired Word of GOD. Pastor McGee takes as literal a view of Scriture as is possible, and hleps to coordinate seeming contradictions. He is careful to point out fulfilled prophecies, and also points on which he and other commentators disagree. I would recommend this set for every pastor, priest, Sunday School Teacher, and bible student as a reference which should be in constant use.

I had given my mother a copy of Talk Thru the Bible (my choice as a textbook for either O.T. or N.T. survey) as a guide to accompany her first straight through reading of the Bible. To my delight, afterwards, she asked me what would be a good commentary to use to further explore biblical themes and expand upon what she had already learned. I ordered her the five volume Thru the Bible commentary with the Topical Index taken from J. Vernon McGee's radio program to compliment her further studies.

While I don't always agree with McGee's tendency of hanging his own thoughts and commentary on a verse when not necessary, or his inclusion of Reformed dogmatics by way of presumption; more often than not I agree with the highlights of his message. I like the fact that he spent his time boiling down abstract ideas and doctrines by illustrating them through solid biblical theology in narrative tone that brings the Bible to life so that the reader can easily grasp and apply biblical themes in their own walk with the Lord. I also like the fact that McGee tends to engage popular pitfalls and misconceptions of understanding the Scriptures by frequently teaching why such assumptions fail before the whole council of our Lord. Though he clearly states that his intended audience was the layman, his commentary often exhibits surprising depth as McGee often illustrates key points in biblical typology, or the by pursuit of other rabbit trails which greatly enhance the readers understanding of the relationships between the Old and the New Testaments. Of further benefit, there is a sixth book available for this commentary that allows you to quickly look up specific topics quickly (Thru the Bible Topical Index). With the inclusion of this help, McGee's commentary can be obliged the double service of acting as a quick reference or a Thompson Chained Reference on steroids. This will save you the time and trouble involved with the tried and true "Sears Roebuck Catalog" flipping method of looking things up oftentimes employed with other commentaries when what you are looking for cannot be found by chapter and verse. In short, McGee's Thru the Bible is a neat commentary. It seems that others also agree with my assessment.

My wife and I use these commentaries all the time to prepare for Sunday school or Bible studies. We love his down to earth plain talk. You don't have to be a theologian to follow along. These books are written from a very humble view, not a haughty standpoint. He brings out so many things that you will say, I never thought of that like that. I personally find that I agree with McGee more than anyone I've ever read before and although I am not a great Bible scholar I do still have an opinion.I have shared these books with friends and everyone is extremely impressed with them. We have the hardbound set and they are not only great books they are also very attractive.

I have owned and read Dr. McGee's 5 volume set of commentaries for over 15 years now and highly recommend them. Dr. McGee has a way of taking complex teachings of Scripture and simplifying them so that they are easy to grasp. He takes the "cookies and puts them on the bottom shelf so that the kiddies can get to them" as opposed to some Bible teachers who complicate the Bible's teachings with high sounding talk. One way that Dr. McGee clarifies issues is by using homely illustrations to explain his point. He never loses sight of God's redemptive theme which runs from Genesis to Revelation. He also points out how OT and NT books complement/explain, etc. each other: i.e., Genesis and Matthew; Leviticus and Hebrews; Joshua and Ephesians; Revelation and Daniel, etc. These commentaries are well the worth the dollar and time investment.

If you are not familiar with J. Vernon McGee or his style, I would suggest that you try a single volume paperback commentary first to see if you like it. McGee reminds me of someone's grandfather...wise, opinionated, down-to-earth, and even gruff at times. If you have ever heard his radio broadcasts (from which these commentaries are derived), you know what I mean. McGee has a strong and distinct style, and he is always pressing us to seek God's will in our lives fervently. You can't fault the honesty of his vision or spirit!

These commentaries give you McGee's interpretation of each chapter of that particular book of the Bible. The thing I like best about his commentaries are that they are fresh and interesting. He rarely gets tied down in seemingly obscure details or debates. If he has an opinion, he'll tell you exactly what it is and why without beating around the bush like so many other bible commentaries. Although I don't agree with all of his opinions, I respect his perspective, and rarely do his works leave me without something to "chew on." This is also the only commentary that I have that can actually leave me laughing aloud at some point he's made. He had a great sense of humor!

I would recommend this series of five volumes to any student of the bible. They are a great commentary for the every day person, unintimidating and understandable.

I've borrowed a copy of this to use along with Romans Verse by Verse by William R Newell for my bible study group, and it is a wonderful easy to use set.

Easy to read, easy to understand, and good clear theology. I agree with the previous review.

I'm saving up for my own set. This is one I want to have and use on a daily basis.

Along with Newell I'd put it in my top 5 Bible related books to take with me to a desert island. (the others being my Strong's Concordance, Matthew Henry and my Bible)

J. Vernon McGee is the only radio Bible teacher that I know of who consistantly pointed his listeners/students to the greatness of the Lord Jesus Christ no matter which page of Scripture he was teaching from. The Lord Jesus Christ is always brought to the front and center of his teaching.
He was definitely gifted by God to teach from the Bible. He taught me how to interpret Scripture correctly by comparing Scripture with Scripture. The Spirit of God worked through J. Vernon McGee to lead me to saving faith in God our Saviour, and to turn me from the religion of Lutheranism (i.e., law and "gospel") that kept me from receiving God's GIFT of grace by faith alone, in Christ alone completely. Amen!

Dr. McGee had a saying that went something like this: "Put the cookies on the bottom shelf so that the kiddies can reach them." That was his approach to teaching the Word of God. He taught in a way that was able to be understood by every day, common people. Adults, as well as children, can become strong in their knowledge of the Word of God through the systematic teaching of Dr. McGee.

The only thing that I disagree with him on is when he would stray from the Authorized King James Version in favor of the "better"/corrupt manuscripts. Overall, his teaching is mostly taught from the Authorized Version.

When either listening or reading his program/commentary it is as if you are one-on-one with him. You will also discover that he has great sense of humor.

I have the five volume set and recommend that if you are looking for good solid Bible teaching, this is a good eternal investment.

Gone over two volumes of this set by now, I can state that Mr. McGee is an excellent companion to my search thru the Bible. It is not an exhaustive analysis of everything, it would be impossible, but it clarifies lots of subjects that can easily be misinterpreted. It is never boring; he never gets entangled in interpretation issues: he gives us his honest one forcefully when convinced of so, and when he doesn't know he also honestly states so and gives his humble opinion.

The author speaks from the vantage point of experience, in his life and what he has observed in the lives of many people who have looked to him for counsel. One of the valuable things that I learnt from his commentary is that there must be a lot of false teachers in our churches, so-called Christians (they call themselves Liberals) who are watering down the real faith. The same way as the scribes used to shoot questions at Jesus once, trying to get Him in trouble -definitely not searching for truth-, now we have many people among us who attack our faith from within. In Spain we have the old saying that goes: Tell me whom you go out with, and I'll tell you who you are. Well, we are save alright if we go out with Mr. McGee, after we've been first with the Gospel. Lucky me that I have found a church that preaches the real Word, and is not ashamed of one word in it. Mr. McGee is right in making us aware of the dangers that some phony Christians can create by their examples in our churches. Better stay out than do us harm from within. Faith shows by acting upon it: We need to do more, ask more of ourselves, love more, help more. Talk is cheap. It's something like when we complain about our politicians but we, Christians, don't get into politics, so what can we expect?

The truth is simple because it aims at the hearts of men, not at their intelligence. So it is not so difficult to understand once we read it in its context (which Mr. McGee perfectly supplies). The commentary is spread with rich anecdotes and real life applications, making its reading a vivid experience, and not a dull or abstract mental exercise.

Here's a good example of Mr. McGee's style. Talking about when Jesus enters the home of Mary and Martha (Luke 10:38-42):
"...Mary had done her part; then she went to sit at the feet of Jesus. Martha, her sister, was a dear soul and if it had not been for her they would not have had that lovely dinner: She got busy, however, and became frustrated. Possibly she reached for a pan, thought it was not big enough, then reached for another, and a pan fell off a top shelf. It was too much for her and she came walking out of the kitchen, and said something she would not have said under normal conditions. Our Lord was very gentle with her, but said: "Mary has chosen the best part." My frustrated, confused friend, are you at that corner of life where you don not know which way to turn? Then, for goodness sake, sit down. Sit at Jesus' feet. Look in His Word, and see what He has to say. It will help you with your housework." (Volume IV, page 294)

Wonderful advice.

I like this set overall because it comes honest and forcefully, from the heart of a man whose devotion for the Lord Jesus cannot be denied.