The NIV Application Commentary Genesis [Hardcover]

John H. Walton (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 1, 2001

The Bible begins and ends with a revelation of God that gives redemption its basis. From the first verse of Genesis, the book of origins, we encounter a God of personality, character, purpose, and activity. Only in the light of what he shows us of himself as the Creator of our world and the Interactor with human history does the salvation story assume its proper context. Genesis sets things in order: God first, then us. In the words of the general editor's preface, 'Especially after the Tower of Babel it became evident that people had forgotten who God was. They needed reminding. The moves God made were essentially concerned with putting himself in front of the world's peoples.' Today, perhaps more than ever, we need God to put himself in front of us---to remind us who he is, and that he is. With characteristic creativity and uncommon depth, John H. Walton demonstrates the timeless relevance of Genesis. Revealing the links between Genesis and our own times, Dr. Walton shows how this mysterious, often baffling book filled with obscure peoples and practices reveals truth to guide our twenty-first-century lives. Most Bible commentaries take us on a one-way trip from our world to the world of the Bible. But they leave us there, assuming that we can somehow make the return journey on our own. They focus on the original meaning of the passage but don't discuss its contemporary application. The information they offer is valuable---but the job is only half done! The NIV Application Commentary Series helps bring both halves of the interpretive task together. This unique, award-winning series shows readers how to bring an ancient message into our postmodern context. It explains not only what the Bible meant but also how it speaks powerfully today. This series promises to become an indispensable tool for every pastor and teacher who seeks to make the Bible's timeless message speak to this generation. Billy Graham The NIV Application Commentary is an outstanding resource for pastors and anyone else who is serious about developing 'doers of the Word.' Rick Warren, Saddleback Valley Community Church

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

The Bible begins and ends with a revelation of God that gives redemption its basis. From the first verse of Genesis, the book of origins, we encounter a God of personality, character, purpose, and activity. Only in the light of what he shows us of himself as the Creator of our world and the Interactor with human history does the salvation story assume its proper context. Genesis sets things in order: God first, then us.

In the words of the general editor’s preface, "Especially after the Tower of Babel it became evident that people had forgotten who God was. They needed reminding. The moves God made were essentially concerned with putting himself in front of the world’s peoples." Today, perhaps more than ever, we need God to put himself in front of us—to remind us who he is, and that he is.

With characteristic creativity and uncommon depth, John H. Walton demonstrates the timeless relevance of Genesis. Revealing the links between Genesis and our own times, Dr. Walton shows how this mysterious, often baffling book filled with obscure peoples and practices reveals truth to guide our twenty-first-century lives.

Most Bible commentaries take us on a one-way trip from our world to the world of the Bible. But they leave us there, assuming that we can somehow make the return journey on our own. They focus on the original meaning of the passage but don’t discuss its contemporary application. The information they offer is valuable—but the job is only half done!

The NIV Application Commentary Series helps bring both halves of the interpretive task together. This unique, award-winning series shows readers how to bring an ancient message into our postmodern context. It explains not only what the Bible meant but also how it speaks powerfully today. This series promises to become an indispensable tool for every pastor and teacher who seeks to make the Bible's timeless message speak to this generation.

Billy Graham The NIV Application Commentary is an outstanding resource for pastors and anyone else who is serious about developing "doers of the Word." Rick Warren, Saddleback Valley Community Church

About the Author

John H. Walton (PhD, Hebrew Union College) is professor of Old Testament at Wheaton College Graduate School. He is the author or coauthor of several books, including Chronological and Background Charts of the Old Testament; Ancient Israelite Literature in Its Cultural Context; Covenant: God's Purpose, God's Plan; The IVP Bible Background Commentary: Old Testament; and A Survey of the Old Testament.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 18 and up
  
• Hardcover: 768 pages
• Publisher: Zondervan (October 1, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0310206170
• ISBN-13: 978-0310206170
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.2 x 2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.6 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #287,093 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

John H. Walton (Ph.D., Hebrew Union College) is professor of Old Testament at Wheaton College. Previously he was professor of Old Testament at Moody Bible Institute in Chicago, Illinois. Some of his books include Ancient Near Eastern Thought Essential Bible Companion), Old Testament Today (with Andrew Hill), Genesis NIV Application Commentary and IVP Bible Background Commentary (with Victor Matthews and Mark Chavalas).

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

39 of 40 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars An important commentary, April 15, 2007

By 

John J. Turner (Eureka Springs, AR USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The NIV Application Commentary Genesis (Hardcover)

There are other commentaries I would choose first for verse-by-verse help, but Walton's is the best introduction to the methods of responsible interpretation of Genesis. Walton is an expert in cultural backgrounds and literary genres of the Ancient Near East and also offers some informative word studies. A strength and a weakness of this book is that Walton strongly resists reading later theology or our own culture's questions and answers into the original message of the text; he challenges us to interpret Genesis in the context of the cultural setting for which it was first written. That is a virtue that can occasionally be overplayed. If I would pick one point on which to disagree with Walton, I would hold onto the possibility that God might inspire the words of scripture in such a way that they can have one meaning to their original audience and a deeper or additional meaning to later audiences. But, by and large, Walton's thrust in this area is helpful.

While Walton's writing is understandable, and his faith is thoroughly conservative evangelical, he forces readers to think deeply about the appropriateness or inappropriateness of many traditional interpretations, and that can be upsetting to many readers, especially when he is challenging a cherished, traditional interpretation. Let me assure you that he does not depart from faith in God's word and in God's total sovereignty. I think that those who say otherwise have not read him closely and carefully enough. I do not agree with every step in his reasoning, but I am challenged to clarify my own thinking as by no other commentary.

32 of 36 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Depth and quality...outstanding book!, December 27, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: The NIV Application Commentary Genesis (Hardcover)

I didn't know exactly what to expect when I began reading this commentary, but it quickly became clear to me that this book was different than any commentary I had read before. Not only was it solid in research and background information, but its ability to apply the truths of the Old Testament to my life today was amazing. This book is written in such a way that can benefit the beginner and the scholar. It is easy to understand, as well as deep and moving in its insights. Not only did it increase my knowledge, but more importantly, it was a powerful tool for increasing my intimacy with Christ. I highly recommend this book.

19 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars There is many nuggets of gold in this commentary, May 5, 2006

By 

Paul M. Peterson (North Dakota) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The NIV Application Commentary Genesis (Hardcover)

While not everyone will agree with the author's opinion on the first chapters of Genesis I found a great deal of useful information and some very sound theological discussion. The author challenges us, the reader, to think theological and for this very reason the book is well worth the price. Just the authors knowledge of ancient culture makes this book worth buying and reading. We do not need to agree with every page of every book we read yet we can still learn a great deal from those whom we disagree with. I used this book in putting together a bible study and really loved its bridging context and modern day application, the author is to be commended for his insight and ability to bring this ancient text into our modern world.