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The New American Commentary: 1, 2 Peter, Jude (New American Commentary, 37)
Thomas R. Schreiner

B&H Publishing Group, 2003 - 400 pages

average customer review:based on 5 reviews
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   highly recommended  highly recommended




I loved the product!!!

I loved the product!!!
The only thing was that it took longer than most to get shipped, but other than that small detail it was great!


A Trusted Scholar

I just got my copy and already using it for a class that I am teaching on Jude--Dr. Schreiner does a great job in this series--one of the better ones.

Dr. Schreiner interacts quite well with the scholarly literature out there. He is up on the Jewish traditions and other elements needed to understand Jude.

He leaves no stone unturned--offering several views on a verse and then giving the reasons for the one he favors--very scholarly indeed.

Besides, he is not afraid to offer a more literal translation when it best fits the context--I put this volume right up there with Bauckham celebrated work on 2 Peter and Jude. Get this one!


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A very good addition to your library

This review will address three authors' work on Peter and Jude: Kistemaker, Schreiner, and Davids.

Kistemaker's commentary in the New Testament Commentary series begun by Hendriksen was published in 1987. Kistemaker, a professor at Reformed Theological Seminary, is well known for his contributions to approximately half of this series. His work is the most pastorally oriented of the three here, and is easy to read. Each paragraph of text is presented in a separate section, followed by the text of individual verses with exposition, followed by (as needed) separate sections on "Doctrinal considerations", "Practical considerations", and/or "Greek words, phrases, and constructions". This format is a little scattered, but allows for ease of use across a wide spectrum of readers. Kistemaker is practical, but has less depth than Schreiner or Davids. The current printing is packaged with James and 1-3 John, as well, which makes for a mighty unwieldy volume. I recommend instead finding a reasonably priced used version with just Peter and Jude, unless you're investing in the entire set.

Thomas Schreiner is a professor at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, and author of the Peter & Jude Commentary in the New American Commentary series. Schreiner is also author of the well-regarded BECNT entry for Romans, as well as a volume on Paul's theology. This commentary was written in 2003, and has a clean layout, albeit with smaller print than the other works here. Schreiner's work is solid, and his theology sound, but his writing is not the most engaging. The NIV text is presented one paragraph at a time, then exposited verse-by-verse preceded by verse numbers in bold. The Greek, which he utilizes frequently, is transliterated into English in the running commentary.

Peter Davids is a professor at St. Stephen's University, and has also authored the commentary on James in the New International Greek Testament Commentary series. His work on 1 Peter is in the New International Commentary on the New Testament series (1990), with 2 Peter and Jude in the Pillar New Testament Commentary series (2006). Like his James commentary, he begins with useful discussions of the theology of the letter, broken down into categories such as "Suffering", "Scripture", "God", etc. His work is surprisingly useful for pastors. He in general has a more academic tone, but then breaks forth into a very practical, insightful discussion of, say, "revolutionary submission" in 1 Peter 3. The Pillar volume has a less pastorally-oriented feel, but that is likely due partially to the different subject material provided by Peter and Jude in these letters. Due to the 2 volumes, his works are more thorough than Schreiner or Kistemaker, but of course are more expensive. The format is generally similar to the NAC, although the NIC volume does provide the actual Greek text in the footnotes.

Comparison: Any of these three authors' works would be a worthwhile purchase for the pastor, seminarian, or generally informed reader. All are presented with the NIV text, but interact with the underlying Greek text. Kistemaker and Schreiner are somewhat more conservative theologically than Davids. Those without a seminary education will likely find Kistemaker the most accessible. Students working on their thesis will probably prefer Davids' delving into more detail. Schreiner has the best blend of virtues for those who can afford only one volume at this time.

Kistemaker: 4 stars
Davids: 5 stars (1 Peter), 4 stars (2 Peter/Jude)
Schreiner: 4 stars




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5 stars . . .no question!

This review is written primarily for motivated laymen, as this is what I am. Whether or not this book will be considered a valuable entry into the discussion of scholars is up to them, as I don't know if its level of Greek probing, or use of secondary sources is wide enough for use in that field. What I say here is probably also applicable to pastors and teachers though styles of research and sermon preparation vary widely and I don't want to make any generalizations.

Whether or not one finds a commentary edifying and/or useful depends on what they wish to gain. But assuming that the motivation is to understand the meaning of the Biblical text in its original intention, then I would say one need not look any further then Thomas Schreiner's NAC commentary. I have often vacillated on what detailed level I should study a biblical text, as value is certainly gleaned from very technical commentaries with elaborate Greek and sentence construction discussions (and a billion footnotes) yet often one is better off with a simple explanation of the text.

With this balance to consider (and only consider if you only have time and money to afford one text, otherwise you should sample many additions to the literature) I have often been hesitate to pursue studies in the New American Commentary Series (the flagship series of the Southern Baptist Convention) for lack of technicality. However, the biggest factor on the value of the commentary, is not the series itself but the author, and I had no reservations, indeed, no hesitation on obtaining Schreiner's new work as soon as it was published. Schreiner in the past has brought us an excellent addition to the study of Romans in the BECNT series, as well as a wonderfully readable Pauline Theology that is both probing yet lucidly written for non-scholars.

Schreiner does not disappoint with this work. From verse 1:1 he brings to life the story of salvation history as Peter unfolded it to his readers, those who were blessed enough to live in the age of fulfillment. Schreiner's position is unapologetically calvinistic, made clear by his discussion in the opening pages about the true meaning of "foreknew" in its biblical context (1:2). Schreiner also emphasizes that Salvation in the Petrine context generally refers to future salvation, or salvation on the eschatological judgment day. Good works, which will indeed be judged by the impartial Judge in the future, are nevertheless rooted in God's prior acts of deliverance, and obtained only through the Grace of God imparting the Spirit for our benefit. As most Calvinist Baptists in the academic realm, Schreiner does not adhere to classic covenant theology, but non the less departs from dispensationalism by asserting that the promises made to Israel are now fulfilled in the church, and that ethnic Jews are in no way set aside but instead now must believe in Jesus to be part of the true Israel, and not simply by ethnic decen.

Overall, Schreiner strikes a good balance between exegeting the text, and elaborating its relevance to the modern reader (who is also living in the age of fulfillment). He compares/contrasts with other sources often, but the majority of this takes place in the footnotes so the reader who wishes to keep his focus on the text itself need not be hindered. Like all NAC volumes, the base text used is the NIV, but Schreiner is not hesitant to offer his own translations or agree similarly with a different translation (ESV, NASB, etc.) if in his opinion the NIV text is wrong or unclear. Schreiner interacts with the Greek text at a moderate to basic level, and per standard NAC methodology the Greek is transliterated into the text.

Schreiner demonstrates his breadth of knowledge in the secondary sources (like many commentaries, with a selected bibliography with more works then I have read in my entire life), though keeps the pace quick and the discussion inward focused on the text. The Books are split into sections and then subsections, with good introductions and beginning summaries of what lies ahead. Schreiner does a good job of reminding the reader often of the flow of Peter's arguments/exhortations.

For those of you who care about quality of printing etc., I would say you won't be disappointed by Broadman. The Hardbound book is solid and will sit well on any deserving bookshelf. The dusk jacket is a crimson red, a good looking cover all in all though it might seem a bit outdated in ten to fifteen years (Anybody take a look at the dust jacket from the NICNT from the mid 80's!). The book cover itself (minus the dusk jacket) is also quite solid, simpler, somewhat reference library like, and ultimately will have more staying power in style then the dust jacket. The book doesn't exactly lay open flat, making it difficult for study with pen and paper, but it need not by plied open either and is generally comfortable for casual reading. The pages are think and adequate for long term use, but lack any smoothness or texture that one finds in some more pleasantly printed volumes. Either way, they should be conducive to highlighting though I never actually did. There is little margin room for those who like to take notes. I don't know the actual name of the text type, but the style and size is conducive enough for reading.

All in all, if you can only afford in money and time resources one aid in the study of each Biblical book, I would recommend you look here for Peter. Schreiner is both exegetically solid and rigorous yet keeps an eye on the concerns and relevance of the material to the modern reader. Hats off to Schreiner!


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Good Commentary!

The commentary presents good reviews and appears up to date. It is nice to get a commentary on more than one book of the Bible in one book purchase.



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