Robert N Houston

Robert N Houston

Reviews

Lane, William L. The Gospel of Mark. NICNT. Eerdmans, 1974.
Robert N Houston Robert N Houston March 9, 2024
Beautifully written and very accessible. His chapter on Gethsemane is profound and moving - worth the price for this wonderful commentary.
Wegner, Paul D. Isaiah. TOTC. IVP Academic, 2021.
Robert N Houston Robert N Houston December 21, 2023
A fairly straightforward explanation without many insightful comments. Recommend the top-rated commentaries by Oswalt, Webb, and Motyer above this one by Wegner. Somewhat disappointing.
Armerding, Carl E. “Nahum” in Daniel–Malachi. REBC. Zondervan, 2009.
Robert N Houston Robert N Houston November 17, 2023
Beautifully written; intellectually challenging; thorough. Highly recommended.
Bruce, F. F. Romans. TNTC. InterVarsity Press, 1985.
Robert N Houston Robert N Houston October 29, 2023
Clearly explains the extremely important book of Romans - accessible, concise, profound. As an expositor of Romans, Bruce shows why he has such a great reputation. Read this wonderful commentary and get a blessing!
Barnett, Paul W. The Message of 2 Corinthians. BST. InterVarsity Press, 1999.
Robert N Houston Robert N Houston October 17, 2023
Shorter commentary... concise yet thoughtful. Great for devotions. Using Barnett and Hughes at the same time. Compliment each other. Perfect for laypeople.
Hughes, Philip Edgcumbe. The Second Epistle to the Corinthians. NICNT. Eerdmans, 1962.
Robert N Houston Robert N Houston October 17, 2023
Excellent. His Hebrews commentary is one of my favorites. Studying 2Corinthians using Hughes along with Barnett's Bible Speaks Today commentary. Great for layperson's.
Guthrie, George H. 2 Corinthians. BECNT. Baker Academic, 2015.
Robert N Houston Robert N Houston September 29, 2023
Quite heavy lifting for a layperson due to the Greek. Yet his writing is beautiful and the Reflection sections which end each chapter are worth the price of the book. If you want to be intellectually and spiritually challenged, invest in this commentary.
Hays, Richard B. First Corinthians. Int. Westminster John Knox, 1997.
Robert N Houston Robert N Houston September 20, 2023
Beautifully written, this commentary provides insights and explanations with almost every sentence. I am using another commentary along with this one (as suggested by other reviewers.) But Hays' work is my favorite. Highly recommended for a layperson (like me.)
Wright, Christopher J. H. The Message of Jeremiah. BST. Inter-Varsity Press, 2014.
Robert N Houston Robert N Houston August 24, 2023
Beautifully written...full of insights....accessible... excellent.
Hawthorne, Gerald F. Philippians. WBT. Zondervan Academic, 2020.
Robert N Houston Robert N Houston February 5, 2023
Beautifully written and insightful. I love this small book. Packed with powerful summaries and great for devotional purposes as well. Get a copy. You won't regret it.
Thompson, John A. The Book of Jeremiah. NICOT. Eerdmans, 1980.
Robert N Houston Robert N Houston January 8, 2023
I am a "layman." The sheer length of Jeremiah seemed intimidating. I began with Irving Jensen, moved next to F.B. Huey, and landed on J.A. Thompson. I enjoyed all three COMMENTARIES and now understand why Thompson's is so highly rated. Beautifully written...accessible (even to me!)...packs powerful punches...great!
Jensen, Irving L. Jeremiah and Lamentations. EvBC. Moody, 1966.
Robert N Houston Robert N Houston January 8, 2023
Brief...powerful. A great introduction to Jeremiah for someone who wants to be taught the "basics" and for whom long lectures lack appeal. Obviously an underrated commentary by a master teacher. Highly recommended as an introductory text. After Jensen, read Huey. After Huey, read Thompson! Before, during, and after...read the Bible!!
Huey, F. B. Jeremiah, Lamentations. NAC. Broadman & Holman, 1993.
Robert N Houston Robert N Houston January 8, 2023
Excellent. Rightly credits other authors. But Huey's ability to summarize and explain are tremendous. And Huey's personal "voice" is warm and engaging. Highly recommended.
Wright, Christopher J. H. The Message of Ezekiel. BST. InterVarsity Press, 2001.
Robert N Houston Robert N Houston December 19, 2022
Revised review. Returned to Wright when I finished Ezekiel (using Stuart, Taylor, Duguid.) Now Wright's organization makes more sense - but might be confusing to a newbie to Ezekiel like me! Wright is a great writer and he makes many helpful comments - some are VERY inspirational. Webmaster. Please delete my earlier review!
Taylor, John B. Ezekiel. TOTC. InterVarsity Press, 1981.
Robert N Houston Robert N Houston December 19, 2022
Revised review. Warmed up to Taylor as I progressed through Ezekiel. Found his unwillingness to anticipate literal fulfillment of certain passages "interesting." I kept thinking... Just you wait Mr. Taylor. You will get a big surprise! I would delete my earlier review but not sure if that is possible. Web designer. Help!!
Osborne, Grant R. “John” in John, 1–3 John. CBC. Tyndale House, 2007.
Robert N Houston Robert N Houston December 19, 2022
Reviewing JOHN VERSE BY VERSE in Osborne New Testament Commentaries which is not listed on this website. I will assume it is the same. (Please correct if wrong.) So far...GREAT! Excellent writer. Somewhat succinct but packs a major spiritual punch!
Hendriksen, William. John. HK. Baker Books, 2002.
Robert N Houston Robert N Houston December 19, 2022
What can I say? Beautifully written and some comments of his THRILL MY SOUL. First of his commentaries for me. Just purchased his commentary on Romans. Read this book. Get a blessing!
Burge, Gary M. John. NIVAC. Zondervan, 2000.
Robert N Houston Robert N Houston December 19, 2022
Finishing up my study of Ezekiel. Now to the Gospel of John again. After reading commentaries by Craigie and Stuart on Ezekiel, I am spoiled! Using Bruce, Osborne, Hendrikson, and Burge for John. The first three are great. To me, Burge seems rather bland: short sentences which are fine...to the point...Conservative...but nothing thrilling (like Hendrikson, for example.) Maybe I will warm up to Brother Gary. But for now..3.5 stars. The others all get 5!
Ellison, H. L. Exodus. DSB. Westminster John Knox, 2006.
Robert N Houston Robert N Houston October 4, 2022
I am frustrated I spent money on this book. It was inexpensive so I hoped for a pleasant surprise. That large passages could be discussed in such a brief and unhelpful way amazed me. I frankly would not even refer to it as a "commentary." Not recommended.
Motyer, J. Alec. The Message of Philippians. BST. InterVarsity Press, 1997.
Robert N Houston Robert N Houston September 15, 2022
Studying Phillipians using commentaries by Marshall, Thielman, and Lightfoot. When finished with their comments on any passage, I then turn to Motyer. His comments often thrill my soul! Wonderful commentary.
Duguid, Iain M. Ezekiel. NIVAC. Zondervan, 1999.
Robert N Houston Robert N Houston August 21, 2022
Excellent. Accessible, clear, and, in many places, profound!
Wright, Christopher J. H. The Message of Ezekiel. BST. InterVarsity Press, 2001.
Robert N Houston Robert N Houston July 12, 2022
I am lowering my rating. Everything was going great until I got to Ezekiel Chapters 12 and 13. Nothing. Repeat: nothing. Then Chris does some creative (and confusing) re-organization - grouping chapters together and losing me and probably many others. THE BIBLE SPEAKS TODAY SERIES is an introductory commentary. IVP - PLEASE REVISE OR REPLACE. (Wright is a tremendous person and writer. But sorry...this book is CONFUSING and the re-organization was a bad idea.)
Guthrie, George H. Hebrews. NIVAC. Zondervan, 1998.
Robert N Houston Robert N Houston July 12, 2022
Taking a break from my studies in the Old Testament, I returned to Hebrews (my personal favorite NT book.) I have studied the book using other commentaries. (To date, Hughes' is my favorite.) But Guthrie's is FANTASTIC: elegantly written, intellectually and spiritually challenging, and "lofty" without being intimidating. I love it. Highly recommended. I own many NIVAC COMMENTARIES. This is one of the best. But I am partial. I love the book of Hebrews.
Fanning, Buist M. Revelation. ZECNT. Zondervan, 2020.
Robert N Houston Robert N Houston June 20, 2022
As a "layman," I have always been intimidated by Revelation. I have several commentaries - all highly "rated." I bought Fanning's book because I wanted to "check out" the ZECNT series. Well...so far.. I love it! The quality of the book is excellent. And Fanning's writing is clear and not in the least intimidating. Don't let the author's pedigree or descriptions of the book as "mid level or higher" keep you from purchasing the book. If someone who tends to shy away from "difficult texts" can find them not-so-difficult with the help of the Holy Spirit and an excellent commentary, so can you! And this commentary is excellent! Thank you Buist! I call "scholars" by their first name - not out of disrespect but because we are all saved the same way by the same person! Amen.
Akin, Daniel L. Exalting Jesus in Revelation. CCE. Broadman & Holman, 2016.
Robert N Houston Robert N Houston June 8, 2022
I am a "layman." And I confess somewhat a Bible commentary "snob" - impressed by reviews, rankings, seminary training/association of author, etc. (I consider this trait unattractive and probably sinful.) I have over five other commentaries on Revelation (besides Akin's.) All are ranked higher than his and all written by authors very well-known and very well-respected. Of course!! I LOVE Akin's commentary. He writes clearly and is easily "accessible" - an adjective which I often suspect means "good for the less educated and less gifted!" I highly recommend this book and ask God to reduce my arrogance and increase my teachability, I.e. humility. Thanks Dr. Akin (whom I will respectfully call Daniel from now on.) I feel I am being led through a rather "difficult" book by a friend not superior! That is a great compliment coming from a snobby layman!
Stuart, Douglas. Exodus. NAC. Broadman & Holman, 2006.
Robert N Houston Robert N Houston May 21, 2022
Stuart's commentary is outstanding (and I am a layman with no seminary training.) It started off a little slow for me but Stuart got me hooked! Accessible yet loaded with profound insights. Highly recommended.
Taylor, John B. Ezekiel. TOTC. InterVarsity Press, 1981.
Robert N Houston Robert N Houston May 21, 2022
Respectfully, this commentary is mediocre at best. I find many of the Tyndale Commentaries over-rated. For an introductory series, the Bible Speaks Today (BST) is better. Compare this one to Wright's in the BST series and you will probably agree.
Craigie, Peter C. Ezekiel. DSB. Westminster John Knox, 2006.
Robert N Houston Robert N Houston May 21, 2022
Peter Craigie's commentary is brief, insightful, and readable. Great for private devotion or for a newbie to Ezekiel. Highly recommended.
Stuart, Douglas. Ezekiel. TPC. Thomas Nelson, 2002.
Robert N Houston Robert N Houston May 21, 2022
I own two commentaries by Douglas Stuart. Both are excellent. I am always tentative about purchasing commentaries from this series. Some are outstanding. Others have been somewhat disappointing. Stuart's commentary on Ezekiel is great! Highly readable but packs a punch...just like the prophet! Highly recommended.
Wright, Christopher J. H. The Message of Ezekiel. BST. InterVarsity Press, 2001.
Robert N Houston Robert N Houston May 21, 2022
I have several commentaries on Ezekiel. This one by Wright is excellent. Highly recommended.
Kidner, Derek. Psalms. 2 Vols. TOTC. InterVarsity Press, 1981.
Robert N Houston Robert N Houston October 8, 2021
For me personally, disappointing given the ratings and Kidner's reputation. Check out David M. Williams for a "soulful blast of wonderful!!!"
Oswalt, John N. Isaiah. NIVAC. Zondervan, 2003.
Robert N Houston Robert N Houston October 8, 2021
I am not a fan of the NIVAC series. They try too hard to make "connections and applications." I rely on the Holy Spirit to do that as I read the Bible (with a reliable commentary.) Having said that...Oswalt's ORIGINAL MEANINGS are excellent. After Motyer and Webb, I read him. Very, very good. Motyer and Webb are excellent.
Ryken, Philip Graham. Galatians. REC. P&R Publishing, 2005.
Robert N Houston Robert N Houston October 8, 2021
Excellent. Accessible to laypersons. Ryken is consistently reliable as a commentator. Highly recommended.
Williams, Donald M. Psalms. 2 Vols. TPC. Thomas Nelson, 2002.
Robert N Houston Robert N Houston October 8, 2021
This commentary literally THRILLS MY SOUL every morning. Beautifully written and profoundly moving. I found Kidner's commentary dry. I find this commentary full of the Spirit. Highly recommended.
Hughes, Philip Edgcumbe. A Commentary on the Epistle to the Hebrews. Eerdmans, 1987.
Robert N Houston Robert N Houston April 11, 2021
This commentary was thrilling to read: Thoughtful, beautifully written, and challenging. Buy a copy, get your Bible, and pray for the Holy Spirit's help. You will not be disappointed. HEBREWS is now one of my favorite books in the Bible. Highly recommended.
Stott, John R. W. The Letters of John. TNTC. InterVarsity Press, 1988.
Robert N Houston Robert N Houston April 11, 2021
I am a huge fan of John Stott. Some of his books have greatly impacted me. Unfortunately this commentary does not. I found it hard to follow and badly organized. If you want Stott at his very best, read THE CROSS OF CHRIST or his wonderful commentary on ROMANS.
Webb, Barry G. The Message of Isaiah. BST. InterVarsity Press, 1996.
Robert N Houston Robert N Houston April 11, 2021
Read Motyer's commentary along with this wonderful commentary by Webb. Combined with the Scripture and the Holy Spirit, both books profoundly impacted me. Highly recommend Webb's commentary. Get ready for a blessing! It is THAT good!
Hamilton, Ian. Let’s Study the Letters of John. LSS. Banner of Truth, 2008.
Robert N Houston Robert N Houston April 11, 2021
Half-way through the commentary. But I love Hamilton's ability to say profound things in short, concise sentences. Beautifully written and perfect for devotional use. Highly recommended.
Ortlund Jr., Raymond C.; Hughes, R. Kent. Isaiah: God Saves Sinners. PtW. Crossway, 2005.
Robert N Houston Robert N Houston April 11, 2021
Difficult to rank. Reads much like a novel based on the Bible. In some instances beautiful and lyrical. Yet the verses often get lost in a sea of poetic discourse. Motyer and Webb helped me understand the passages. If you are looking for poetry and beautiful prose, you will like this book. But if you are seeking to understand the text, this book may leave you frustrated.
Brueggemann, Walter. Genesis. Int. Westminster John Knox, 1986.
Robert N Houston Robert N Houston February 3, 2021
I find the commentary disappointing, full of blah blah blah combined with this and that! Using Freud to help explain "the sin of Ham" was too much for me. Either I am not as smart as I need to be to understand Genesis. Or the author of the commentary is too eager to rely on intellect rather than guidance from a more supernatural source. Sorry folks. This one went to the dumpster.
Goldingay, John. Isaiah. UBOT. Hendrickson, 1999.
Robert N Houston Robert N Houston June 13, 2020
Not to sound snarky but not a big fan of Goldingay. His writings don't "click" with me for some reason. Apparently others strongly disagree!!! I will stick with Motyer and Webb...the first thorough and profound..the second succinct and yet insightful.
Motyer, J. Alec. The Prophecy of Isaiah. InterVarsity Press, 1998.
Robert N Houston Robert N Houston June 13, 2020
Motyer's knowledge and profound insights shine through. What adjective best describes this commentary? Brilliant comes to mind! Highly recommended.
Stott, John R. W. The Message of Romans. BST. InterVarsity Press, 1994.
Robert N Houston Robert N Houston June 13, 2020
Written by John Stott. What else is there to say? Awesome! Highly recommend.
Boice, James Montgomery. Romans. 4 Vols. JMB. Baker Books, 2005.
Robert N Houston Robert N Houston June 13, 2020
Boice at his best! Clear, organized, and insightful. Highly recommend.