Russ Reaves

Russ Reaves

Pastor, Immanuel Baptist Church, Greensboro, NC
Occupation Pastor
Education MDiv (Biblical Languages & Christian Apologetics), Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary
Website www.ibcgso.org

Libraries

Reviews

Leighton, Robert; Thomas, Griffith. 1 and 2 Peter. CCC. Crossway, 1999.
Russ Reaves Russ Reaves December 2, 2010
I found Leighton to be very readable and relevant, even centuries after he wrote. It was a helpful and enjoyable read. With Luther's volume on 1-2 Peter & Jude, these make for excellent historical commentaries.
Hillyer, Norman. 1 and 2 Peter, Jude. UBNT. Hendrickson, 1992.
Russ Reaves Russ Reaves December 2, 2010
My study needs for 1 Peter were met by other sources, so I never got around to using this volume much. It may be better than the 2.0 score I have given it, but I would rank it that way because I never referred to it.
Schreiner, Thomas R. 1, 2 Peter, Jude. NAC. Broadman & Holman, 2003.
Russ Reaves Russ Reaves December 2, 2010
My biggest complaint with this entire series is that usually a passage is treated to briefly to be of any real help. Schreiner's volume is excellent, but not better than Jobes or Grudem, so not necessary if the other two are purchased.
Achtemeier, Paul J. 1 Peter. Herm. Fortress Press, 1996.
Russ Reaves Russ Reaves December 2, 2010
I acquired this volume because most people I consulted considered this to be the definitive work on 1 Peter. While it may have been that at one time, I believe it is far surpassed by Jobes. Where Achtemeier's thoughts are salient, Jobes will quote him. I disagreed with many of his positions and conclusions, and did not find the volume worth the money overall. If one were doing more academic research, it would surely be worthwhile, but for preaching I found it of limited value.
Wiersbe, Warren W. Be Hopeful (1 Peter): How to Make the Best of Times Out of Your Worst of Times. BE. David C. Cook, 2009.
Russ Reaves Russ Reaves December 2, 2010
Nothing negative to say about this volume, however, I think that the preacher's need for a homiletical treatment of 1 Peter would be better served by MacArthur or Clowney. This volume would be excellent for a layperson or Sunday School teacher.
Barbieri, Louis A. First and Second Peter. EvBC. Moody, 2003.
Russ Reaves Russ Reaves December 2, 2010
Did not contribute anything of value to my study. Could have easily done without it. However, I would recommend this book for laypeople, Sunday School teachers, etc.
MacArthur, John. First Peter. MACNT. Moody, 2004.
Russ Reaves Russ Reaves December 2, 2010
MacArthur is always beneficial to consult. Because of the homiletical nature of these commentaries, they are practically helpful for shaping a sermon when it seems difficult to get the thoughts flowing. While Jobes and Grudem are top-shelf choices, I might include MacArthur and Clowney as homiletical supplements to those.
Waltner, Erland; Charles, J. Daryl. 1 and 2 Peter, Jude. BCBC. Herald Press, 1996.
Russ Reaves Russ Reaves December 2, 2010
This book had some strengths and weaknesses. On the whole I found that it did not add anything to my study that I would have otherwise lacked without it.
Grudem, Wayne. 1 Peter. TNTC. InterVarsity Press, 1988.
Russ Reaves Russ Reaves December 2, 2010
With Jobes, this volume was most helpful in my study. His argument concerning the "Spirits in Prison" passage is very persuasive and thorough. I would say this and Jobes are "musts" for preaching through 1 Peter.
Clowney, Edmund. The Message of 1 Peter. BST. InterVarsity Press, 1994.
Russ Reaves Russ Reaves December 2, 2010
Very good volume, as good as any in the BST series. Not indispensable, but I was happy to have it in my study.
Jobes, Karen H. 1 Peter. BECNT. Baker Academic, 2005.
Russ Reaves Russ Reaves December 2, 2010
By far the most helpful commentary I used in preaching through 1 Peter. Her background information is beyond compare in any commentary I consulted. I would not have wanted to be without this volume in my research on 1 Peter.
Bray, Gerald L. ed. James, 1–2 Peter, 1–3 John, Jude. ACCS. InterVarsity Press, 2000.
Russ Reaves Russ Reaves December 2, 2010
Not as helpful on 1 Peter as I had hoped. Other volumes in this series have been excellent, but this one did not meet my expectations. Could have easily done without it.