Customer Reviews

The New American Commentary Volume 19A - Hosea-Joel

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

 

 

The other commentaries in the NAC series are good or at least adequate, but Garrett's is phenomenal -- by far the best of the NAC commentaries I've used. I highly recommend it.

Garrett is a superb writer and theologian. He provides a comprehensive treatment of Hosea and Joel, fairly balancing technical detail with pastoral application. Though the NIV text is used (as it is throughout the NAC series), Garrett frequently critiques and corrects the NIV with his own translations. The Hebrew text is mostly limited to footnotes, so those without Hebrew language skills have no difficulty following him.

After preaching through Joel, I feel like my experience with commentaries may be helpful here. This was the clearest, most accessible, most helpful commentary on the book I've seen. I also used Hubbard (TOTC), Dillard (The Minor Prophets), and Stuart (Word). Of these Stuart was next most helpful, but Garrett was the clear winner.

The thing that stands out most is the clear-headed reasoning in the conclusions on a book where there is a great amount of disagreement. The excursus on interpreting prophecy attached to chapter 4 (ch. 3 in the BHS) is well worth reading for anyone preaching on ANY prophetic book.

If you're preaching on Joel, this commentary is the best place to start.