Absolutely, glad it was helpful, brother. I do have Dempster's volume (Dominion and Dynasty) from the NSBT Series, but unfortunately have not read that volume yet!
As for whole commentary series, I enjoy a number of them (in no particular order): Calvin's Commentaries (Old & New Testament) Baker Exegetical Commentary Series New International Commentary Series on the Old & New Testaments (NICOT/NT) New American Commentary (NAC) Series Pillar Commentary Series Matthew Henry Commentary Series (Old, but faithful, devotionally-oriented series) Old & New Testament Library Series (Text-Critical Scholarship, be advised) Some stand-alone or individual commentaries in a series that I really enjoy: Psalms (William S. Plumer, Geneva Commentary Series) Ephesians (Harold Hoehner) John (Dale Bruner) Matthew, 2 Volumes (Dale Bruner) Any Commentary by Karen Jobes Any Commentary by Charles Hodge (Most are in Crossway Classics) Exodus (Douglas Stuart, NAC) Luke (Darrell Bock, BEC)
@@thenerdypastor2778 Great! this was helpful. I made note of what to look for at half price books. I will admit I am drawn to the aesthetically pleasing commentaries like the Geneva and EBTC haha. Thanks!
I'll have to say, as much as that part by Dabney was complicated, it sure was encouraging, especially at the end! Jesus Christ is my Advocate! These verses come to mind. Any thoughts? 3 Then he showed me Joshua the high priest standing before the Angel of the LORD, and Satan standing at his right hand to oppose him. 2 And the LORD said to Satan, “The LORD rebuke you, Satan! The LORD who has chosen Jerusalem rebuke you! Is this not a brand plucked from the fire?” 3 Now Joshua was clothed with filthy garments, and was standing before the Angel. 4 Then He answered and spoke to those who stood before Him, saying, “Take away the filthy garments from him.” And to him He said, “See, I have removed your iniquity from you, and I will clothe you with rich robes.” 5 And I said, “Let them put a clean turban on his head.” So they put a clean turban on his head, and they put the clothes on him. And the Angel of the LORD stood by. Zec 3:1-5.
Yes, it is my favorite quote from his ST. That Jesus Christ is not only "Almighty God" but at the great tribunal, He is the Believer's (and my!) "Almighty Friend"! Absolutely astonishing grace!
Just finish Bavinck vol 1 two days ago. Planning to finish all four of them before the end of 2025. I remember there was a set of Berkouwer on your shelf in earlier videos. May I know your recommendation of his work?
Hey, brother, thanks for the question about Berkouwer. I really appreciate his Studies in Dogmatics, especially for his engagement with Confessional theology (Reformation and Post-Reformation). Some of his conclusions I disagree with (such as his disagreement about the Bible teaching a Covenant of Works, among others), but he is very helpful for the study of historical theology. The primary drawback is that his work is not constructive.
I am not a huge fan of Grudem, particularly because of his Eternal Subordination issues regarding the Son, and I don't agree with his emphasis on continuing spectacular miracles/charismata. I also think he lacks engagement with Church history in his volume.
@@thenerdypastor2778 Fair enough. I share those concerns, but was surprised you don't take the "recommend with caution" approach you do with other authors with questionable views. Especially considering Grudem's popularity. Thanks for your reply and thoughtful content as always!
@@the3dpodcast-allthingsnba369 Just to clarify, I didn't recommend the other modern authors, I simply ranked their difficulty and said to be cautious when reading them given their issues. I think Grudem is a wonderful believer and appreciate him. However, his work, while popular, is not an improvement on anything prior, and he is a Reformed Baptist, so his tradition was less of my focus. Barth/Moltmann/Pannenberg are highly influential in both the modern period and across global, Reformed Theology (not confessional, but globally influential). So, it's important to be in conversation with them to provide a constructive response.
I know abridgments aren't the focus, but if you had to choose between Bavinks abridgments , 'Wonderful Works of God' they say is his own abridgment of his own set, or between Bolts thick single volume abridgment of that same set, which one would choose.?
WWoG is actually a separate work, and not an abridgment of his 4 Vols. RDs. The abridgment that Bolt did pf the 4 Vols. is. I highly recommend the WWoG as an independent work of ST and believe it to be one of the best Introductory Level works of ST in print. Please pick it up and read it!
Bavinck is definitely the hardest thing I've interacted with since Naval Nuclear Power School. Including Greek and Hebrew. As a Reforned Baptist (deal with it, R. Scott Clark 😊 ), I found Wellum's first volume rewarding. But rating it before it's complete would be unfair and unwise.
Yes, Bavinck is extremely challenging. What helped me is his teaching method with the abstracts at the beginning, which was very helpful to know how and who he was arguing against, and what he was arguing for.
I so appreciate all three of these videos! Your presentation is very clear and helpful. Thank you!
This series was very helpful, thank you. Any exposure to Stephen G. Dempster, series edited by D.A. Carson, "Dominion and Dynasty"?
Absolutely, glad it was helpful, brother. I do have Dempster's volume (Dominion and Dynasty) from the NSBT Series, but unfortunately have not read that volume yet!
What commentary series do you use? Modern? Old? Any whole Bible commentary or people you go to a lot?
As for whole commentary series, I enjoy a number of them (in no particular order):
Calvin's Commentaries (Old & New Testament)
Baker Exegetical Commentary Series
New International Commentary Series on the Old & New Testaments (NICOT/NT)
New American Commentary (NAC) Series
Pillar Commentary Series
Matthew Henry Commentary Series (Old, but faithful, devotionally-oriented series)
Old & New Testament Library Series (Text-Critical Scholarship, be advised)
Some stand-alone or individual commentaries in a series that I really enjoy:
Psalms (William S. Plumer, Geneva Commentary Series)
Ephesians (Harold Hoehner)
John (Dale Bruner)
Matthew, 2 Volumes (Dale Bruner)
Any Commentary by Karen Jobes
Any Commentary by Charles Hodge (Most are in Crossway Classics)
Exodus (Douglas Stuart, NAC)
Luke (Darrell Bock, BEC)
@@thenerdypastor2778 Great! this was helpful. I made note of what to look for at half price books. I will admit I am drawn to the aesthetically pleasing commentaries like the Geneva and EBTC haha. Thanks!
Did I miss your mention of Robert Reymond?
No, I like what I've read of Dr. Reymond's volume but haven't read enough of it to give it a fair ranking.
have you explained your tabbing system in any of your videos?
Yes! Check out my "How to Read Theology Books" videos, where I believe I speak to that, perhaps in the 1st or 2nd video (there are 3 total).
I'll have to say, as much as that part by Dabney was complicated, it sure was encouraging, especially at the end! Jesus Christ is my Advocate! These verses come to mind. Any thoughts?
3 Then he showed me Joshua the high priest standing before the Angel of the LORD, and Satan standing at his right hand to oppose him. 2 And the LORD said to Satan, “The LORD rebuke you, Satan! The LORD who has chosen Jerusalem rebuke you! Is this not a brand plucked from the fire?”
3 Now Joshua was clothed with filthy garments, and was standing before the Angel.
4 Then He answered and spoke to those who stood before Him, saying, “Take away the filthy garments from him.” And to him He said, “See, I have removed your iniquity from you, and I will clothe you with rich robes.”
5 And I said, “Let them put a clean turban on his head.”
So they put a clean turban on his head, and they put the clothes on him. And the Angel of the LORD stood by.
Zec 3:1-5.
Yes, it is my favorite quote from his ST. That Jesus Christ is not only "Almighty God" but at the great tribunal, He is the Believer's (and my!) "Almighty Friend"! Absolutely astonishing grace!
Just out of curiosity, what about Richard Gamble's (Professor of Systematic Theology at RPTS) 3 Volume?
I have not had a chance to look at those currently, so cannot provide any comment as of now. But hopefully one day! Thanks for the question!
I think Gamble's work is a hybrid of systematic and biblical theology?
@@thenerdypastor2778 I'm going to attend RPTS in a few years and I know he teaches out of his own work so I figured I would ask
How did 17th century scholastics get left out?
Whom are you referring to?
Just finish Bavinck vol 1 two days ago. Planning to finish all four of them before the end of 2025. I remember there was a set of Berkouwer on your shelf in earlier videos. May I know your recommendation of his work?
Hey, brother, thanks for the question about Berkouwer. I really appreciate his Studies in Dogmatics, especially for his engagement with Confessional theology (Reformation and Post-Reformation). Some of his conclusions I disagree with (such as his disagreement about the Bible teaching a Covenant of Works, among others), but he is very helpful for the study of historical theology. The primary drawback is that his work is not constructive.
Out of curiosity: You never mention Grudem (that I can remember) in your videos. Is there a specific reason for that?
I am not a huge fan of Grudem, particularly because of his Eternal Subordination issues regarding the Son, and I don't agree with his emphasis on continuing spectacular miracles/charismata. I also think he lacks engagement with Church history in his volume.
@@thenerdypastor2778 Fair enough. I share those concerns, but was surprised you don't take the "recommend with caution" approach you do with other authors with questionable views. Especially considering Grudem's popularity.
Thanks for your reply and thoughtful content as always!
@@the3dpodcast-allthingsnba369 Just to clarify, I didn't recommend the other modern authors, I simply ranked their difficulty and said to be cautious when reading them given their issues. I think Grudem is a wonderful believer and appreciate him. However, his work, while popular, is not an improvement on anything prior, and he is a Reformed Baptist, so his tradition was less of my focus. Barth/Moltmann/Pannenberg are highly influential in both the modern period and across global, Reformed Theology (not confessional, but globally influential). So, it's important to be in conversation with them to provide a constructive response.
@@thenerdypastor2778 Thanks for clarifying. I should have said "acknowledge with caution " to better represent you.
I know abridgments aren't the focus, but if you had to choose between Bavinks abridgments , 'Wonderful Works of God' they say is his own abridgment of his own set, or between Bolts thick single volume abridgment of that same set, which one would choose.?
WWoG is actually a separate work, and not an abridgment of his 4 Vols. RDs. The abridgment that Bolt did pf the 4 Vols. is. I highly recommend the WWoG as an independent work of ST and believe it to be one of the best Introductory Level works of ST in print. Please pick it up and read it!
Bavinck is definitely the hardest thing I've interacted with since Naval Nuclear Power School. Including Greek and Hebrew.
As a Reforned Baptist (deal with it, R. Scott Clark 😊 ), I found Wellum's first volume rewarding. But rating it before it's complete would be unfair and unwise.
Yes, Bavinck is extremely challenging. What helped me is his teaching method with the abstracts at the beginning, which was very helpful to know how and who he was arguing against, and what he was arguing for.
Reading Vol 4 of Bavinck for class
All the Volumes are outstanding, but Vols. 2 and 4 are absolutely superb!