Tools for Building a Theological Library


GENERAL SURVEYS(arranged chronologically)
• Spurgeon, Charles Haddon. Commenting and Commentaries: A Reference Guide to Buying the Best Books. Preface by Dr. Joel R. Beeke. (Vestavia Hills, AL: Solid Grounds Christian Books, 2006). Paperback. 120 pages.
• Smith, Wilbur M. A Treasury of Books for Bible Study. (Natick, MA: W. A. Wilde Company, 1960). Hardcover. 289 pages.
    • Anything Smith produced on books is worth consulting!
    • Smith’s recommendations are presented in essay format.
• Smith, Wilbur M. Profitable Bible Study: seven simple methods—with an annotated list of the first one hundred best books for the Bible students’ library. (Boston, MA: W. A. Wilde Company, c1939). 214 pages.
    • Anything Smith produced on books is worth consulting!
    • Smith served as the editor of Peloubet’s Select Notes on the International Sunday School Lesson from 1934-1970. These volumes can normally be found very inexpensively and contain scores of excellent recommendations.
• Barber, Cyril. The Minister's Library: 1971-1985. (Chicago: Moody Press, 1987). Hardcover. xvi + 541 pages.
    • Barber is a true bibliophile. It is amazing how much useful information is contained in this volume. Some of the best titles from the previous volume are repeated here. This volume is now over 20 years old, so many of these recommendations are outdated. Nevertheless there still remains a lot of help to be gleaned from this volume.
    • Barber's comments are conservative and evangelical. In eschatology he is Dispensational and Premillennial. In soteriology he is Calvinistic.
    • Titles are presented in a book-by-book, section-by-section, alphabetical, and bibliographic format.
    • Titles that are highly recommended are prefaced by an asterisk.
    • Titles with theological error are noted by the appearance of a dagger before the notes.
    • Notes are very helpful.
    • Dewey Decimal Numbers are supplied.
• Barber, Cyril. The Minister's Library. (Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1974). Hardcover. 425 pages.
    • I have found Part One: "How To Set Up Your Library" to be of immeasurable help in organizing my own library and recommendation lists.
    • Barber's comments are conservative and evangelical. In eschatology he is Dispensational and Premillennial. In soteriology he is Calvinistic.
    • Titles are presented in a book-by-book, section-by-section, alphabetical, and bibliographic format.
    • Titles that are highly recommended are prefaced by an asterisk.
    • Titles with theological error are noted by the appearance of a dagger before the notes.
    • Notes are very helpful.
    • Dewey Decimal Numbers are supplied.
• Wiersbe, Warren W. A Basic Library for Bible Students. (Grand Rapids, MI, 1981). Wraps. 48 pages.
    • This information originally appeared in the author’s Listening to the Giants: A Guide to Good Reading and Great Preaching.
    • Recommendations are first given in essay format.
    • All recommendations are presented in an alphabetical bibliography at the end of the booklet.
• Custer, Stewart. Tools for Preaching & Teaching the Bible. Second Edition. (Greenville, SC: Bob Jones University Press, 1998). Paperback. 400 pages.
      • First edition, 1979.
    • This is an improvement over Custer's original edition. However it remains to be very narrow. The best portions are the introductory essays on Bible study, etc. While the notes are very helpful the commentary recommendations are too sparse, and now dated.
    • Titles are presented in a book-by-book, section-by-section, alphabetical, and bibliographic format.
    • Titles that are highly recommended are prefaced by an asterisk.
    • Recommendations cover a wide array of categories. A few of Custer's strong points are Bible Atlases, Bible Geography, Books on Astronomy and the Bible, Bible Archeology, Books on Jerusalem, Biblical Ethics, Expository Preaching, Books for the Pastor's Heart, and The Pastor's Five-Foot Bookshelf.
• Beeke, Joel R. A Reader's Guide to Reformed Literature: an annotated bibliography of Reformed theology. (Grand Rapids: Reformation Heritage Books, 1999). Paperback. 98 pages.
    • A treasure trove of information on some of the best theological works from throughout the centuries.
    • This work is also included in Reformed Confessions Harmonized [WTS] edited by Joel R. Beeke & Sinclair B. Ferguson (Grand Rapids: Baker Books, 2000).
    • Recommendations are presented in essay format separated by historical era (Ancient, Reformation era, 18th century, nineteenth century and modern).
    • Recommendations are categorized by doctrine according the the Heidelberg Catechism (organized according to the Belgic Confession of Faith in Reformed Confessions Harmonized).
• Rosscup, James E. Commentaries for Biblical Expositors. Revised & enlarged ed. (Kress Christian Publications, 2004). Paperback. 351 pages.
      • Author, 1983.
    • An excellent annotated list of Biblical commentaries from a very conservative perspective.
    • Rosscup is careful to point out and/or exclude liberal works.
    • Titles are presented in a book-by-book, alphabetical, and bibliographic format.
    • Those works that are most highly recommended are listed near the beginning of this volume. See "New Ratings of Commentaries on the 66 Books."
      • This list is...
        • formatted book-by-book
        • listed in order of rating
        • categorized as either detailed exegetical, expositional survey, or devotional flavor
• Basic Library Booklist, prepared by the faculty (Detroit Baptist Theological Seminary, 2008). 14 pages.
    • I have found this to be a very useful list produced some of Fundamentalism's finest theological professors.
    • Titles are presented in a book-by-book, section-by-section, and bibliographic format.
    • Recommendations are listed in order of importance.
    • Recommendations cover the following categories:
      • Biblical Commentaries
        • includes some works that are critical, and marks with a dagger those which, although valuable, are considered to contain some theological error.
      • Theology
      • Historical Theology
      • Practical Theology
    • Read online
• Akin, Daniel L. Building a Theological Library: The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. (n.d.). Pamphlet. 50 pages.
    • Read online
    • See the next item for an updated version.
• Akin, Daniel L. Building a Theological Library: Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. (Revised, 07/18/2006). Wraps. 32 pages.
    • Dr. Akin's list is broad, yet very conservative. He's an excellent expositor, a fine teacher, and has an extensive personal library. I value his recommendations.
    • Presented in a book-by-book, alphabetical, bibliographical format.
    • Read online
• Danker, Frederick, W. Multipurpose Tools for Bible Study. Revised & Expanded with CD-ROM (Minneapolis, MN: Augsburg Fortress, 2003). Paperback. xiii + 344 pages.
      • First edition. St. Louis, Missouri: Concordia Publishing House, 1960. 289 pages.
      • Revised edition, 1966.
      • Third rev. edition, 1970. 295 pages.
      • Revised and expanded edition, Minneapolis, MN: Fortress Press, 1993. xiii, 330 pages.
    • CD-ROM, powered by the Libronix Digital Library System.
    • This work deals heavily with reference works, especially regarding the Biblical languages.
    • Recommendations are presented in essay format. Very little bibliographic information is provided.
    • Danker's recommendations lean more heavily toward critical and theologically moderate (or progressive) commentators.
    • A very nice feature is the inclusion of foreign titles (esp. German).
    • Reviews:
      • W. D. Davies "Multipurpose Tools for Bible Study by Frederick W. Danker". Journal of Biblical Literature, Vol. 80, No. 1 (Mar., 1961), pp. 102.
      • Ralph W. Klein "Multipurpose Tools for Bible Study". Currents in Theology and Mission. Oct 2004. FindArticles.com. 26 Apr. 2008.
    • There is a free PDF here.
    • Preview online
    • Purchase: Logos     
• Glynn, John. Commentary and Reference Survey: A Comprehensive Guide to Biblical and Theological Resources. 10th Edition. (Grand Rapids: Kregel Academic, 2007). Paperback. 384 pages.
      • 9th edition, 2003.
    • By far, the best resource available today. This survey is presented in a book-by-book, section-by-section, alphabetical, bibliographical format.
    • Glynn indicates his own recommendations with bold letters.
    • Commentaries are labeled with what Glynn considers to be the theological perspective (Evangelical/Moderate/Liberal, etc).
    • There are very few annotations.
    • Footnotes are used to highlight forthcoming volumes.
    • Chapter 22 is a short list entitled "The Ultimate Commentary Collection."
    • Glynn has compiled this list and made notes from a conservative, evangelical standpoint. He tries to be fair and provide a list that includes some very critical works. This is a project that needs to be carried on and filled out!
    • Read my review here.
    • Read an Excerpt
    • Purchase: Kregel   
Other sources I've not yet reviewed:
• Barber, Cyril J., Robert M. Krauss, Jr. Introduction to Theological Research. University Press of America. 2000.
• Barber, Cyril J. Best Books For Your Bible Study Library. Loizeaux, 2000.
• Bollier, John A. The Literature of Theology: A Guide for Students and Pastors. Westminster, 1979.
• Fitzmeyer, Joseph A. An Introductory Bibliography for the Study of Scripture. Rev. ed. Rome: Biblical Institute Press, 1981.
• Hayes, John H., and Carl R. Holladay. Biblical Exegesis, a beginner's handbook. Rev. ed. Atlanta: Knox, 1987.
• Johnston, William M. Recent Reference Books in Religion: a guide for students, scholars, researchers, buyers & readers. IVP, 1996.
• Kepple, Robert J. Reference Works for Theological Research. 2nd rev. ed. Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, 1983.
• Kiehl, Erich H. Building Your Biblical Studies Library. Concordia, 1988. 151 pages.
• Smith, Wilbur M. Good Books and the Good Book: Reading Lists. New York: Garland, 1988.
• Smith, Wilbur M. The Minister in His Study. Chicago: Moody Press, 1973. 128 pages.
• Soulen, Richard N. and R. Kendall Soulen. Handbook of Biblical Criticism. 3rd rev. ed. Louisville, KY: Westminster John Knox Press, 2001.
• Stewart, David R. The Literature of Theology: a guide for students and pastors. Rev. & updated ed. Westminster, 2003. 168 pages.
• Turner, Nicholas. Handbook for Biblical Studies. Oxford: Blackwell. 1982.
• Wiersbe, Warren W. A Basic Library for Bible Students. Baker, 1981.
OLD TESTAMENT SURVEYS
(arranged chronologically)
• Childs, Brevard S. Old Testament Books for Pastor and Teacher. Philadelphia: Westminster, 1977. Paperback. 120 pages.
    • Reviews:
      • William L. Holladay "Old Testament Books for Pastor and Teacher by Brevard S. Childs". Journal of Biblical Literature, Vol. 97, No. 3 (Sep., 1978), pp. 441.
    • Purchase: Amazon
• Longman, Tremper, III. Old Testament Commentary Survey. Fourth Edition. (Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, 2007). Paperback. 157 pages.
      • First edition, 1991.
      • Second edition, 1995.
      • Third edition, 2003.
    • A conservative, evangelical survey presented in a book-by-book, alphabetical, and bibliographic format.
    • Longman identifies the level of difficulty of each volume (L=Layperson, M=Minister, and S=Scholar).
    • Each title is also rated with 1-5 stars.
    • Appendix A is a listing of Longman's "Five-Star Commentaries".
    • Purchase:   
Other sources I've not yet reviewed:
• Barker, Kenneth L., Bruce K. Waltke & Roy B. Zuck. Bibliography of Old Testament Exegesis and Exposition. Dallas Theological Seminary, 1979. Paperback. 66 pages.
      • Barker & Waltke, 1970. 38 pages.
      • 3rd rev. edition. Dallas Theological Seminary, 1975. Paperback. 66 pages.
• Goldingay, John. Old Testament Commentary Survey. 2001.
NEW TESTAMENT SURVEYS
(arranged chronologically)
• Carson, D. A. New Testament Commentary Survey. 6th edition. (Grand Rapids: Baker, 2006). Paperback. 176 pages.
      • Third edition, 1986.
      • Fourth edition, 1996.
      • Fifth edition, 2001.
    • A conservative, evangelical survey presented in a book-by-book, essay format. I find this format to be difficult to search, however, the content is worth the trouble.
    • The final chapter (4) is a list of "Some 'Best Buys'".
    • Purchase:   
• Scholer, David M. A Basic Bibliographic Guide for New Testament Exegesis. Second edition. (Grand Rapids: Wm. B. Eerdmans, 1973). Paperback. 94 pages.
      • First edition, South Hamilton, MA: Gordon-Conwell Bookcentre, 1971.
    • Broadly evangelical. Very familiar with the critical works of his day.
    • Prepared for the advanced student.
    • This volume is dated.
Other sources I've not yet reviewed:
• Evans, Craig A. Ancient Texts for New Testament Studies: a guide to the background literature. Peabody, MA: Hendrickson, 2005. Hardback. xxxvi + 539 pages.
• Klein, William W., Craig L. Blomberg, and Susan M. Hecht. New Testament Exegesis Bibliography. (Denver Seminary, 2008).
• Martin, Ralph P. New Testament Books for Pastor and Teacher. Revised & updated to 2002. Eugene, OR: Wipf & Stock, 2002. Paperback. 126 pages.
• Millard, A. R., R. T. France & Graham Stanton. Bibliographical Guide to New Testament Research. Almond Press, 1979. Paperback. 56 pages.
      • Tyndale Fellowship for Biblical Research, 1974.

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