Believers Church Bible Commentary Upgrade (5 vols.)

James Waltner's immense study of the Psalms merits close attention and wide use. It is a commentary that is well informed on critical issues but, more importantly, is alive and alert to theological, pastoral concerns. Waltner reads the Psalms in and for the church, and makes connections that will serve the pastoral, liturgical, devotional life of the church. We can be grateful for this important contribution.

—Walter Brueggemann, William Marcellus McPheeters Professor of Old Testament, Columbia Theological Seminary

Like the Psalms themselves, Waltner's commentary should inspire a deeper learning of God's ways and a deeper devotion to the God who listens. Quite readable and clear, Waltner's style keeps the reader's interest and provides the reader with a deep respect for the sublime poetry of the Psalms.

—Craig Boyles, Professor of Religious Studies, Trinity Western University

This is a superb volume . . . Douglas Miller enables us to see how tremendously appropriate Ecclesiastes is for our times.

—Marva J. Dawn, author of Being Well When We're Ill

A gift to the church and a wonderful guide for anyone reading Ecclesiastes . . . pastors and students should have this book in their libraries.

—Ray Van Leeuwen, Professor of Biblical Studies, Eastern University

A journey through Ecclesiastes with Miller's helpful insights is well worth the trip!

—Steven Schweitzer, Academic Dean and Associate Professor (Old Testament), Bethany Theological Seminary

Miller's commentary invites us to include the writer of Ecclesiastes as a trustworthy companion through the twists and turns of our journey of life.

—Lydia Neufeld Harder, Toronto School of Theology

This commentary is a must read for the believer who faces fear and uncertainty in a quest for a deeper faith.

—Bob Neff, former general secretary of the Church of the Brethren

Ivan D. Friesen’s commentary is a most valuable resource. It makes no apology for its firm location in the Anabaptist tradition and its author has taken seriously various types of feedback from the Christian community. The book is a delight to read and is strongly recommended for pastors, church leaders, and anyone wishing to engage with the prophetic tradition in a way that makes for peace and for the ethical living without which communities cannot be built or sustained.

—Patricia M. McDonald, lecturer in New Testament, Ushaw College

Few things are more thrilling to a reader than authors who know their subject so intimately that they seem to inhabit the world they write about. This is the case with Ivan Friesen’s commentary on Isaiah. Friesen’s portrayal of the mind of the prophet is truly insightful. Friesen’s insights into the text are written in such simple and rhythmic prose that they make the Word of God come to life for any serious reader.

—John D. Rempel, Professor of Theology and Anabaptist Studies, Associated Mennonite Biblical Seminary

Ivan Friesen’s commentary portrays so beautifully Isaiah’s astonishing vision of just peace—a vision that encompasses not only the people of Israel, but all the nations and, indeed, all creation. Friesen’s commentary is a powerful call to the church today to embrace and embody the ancient message of Isaiah to practice justice and pursue peace. My hope is that readers will take this call to heart.

—Esther Epp-Tiessen, Mennonite Central Committee Canada, Winnipeg, Manitoba

This is a remarkably readable commentary on the Pastoral Epistles. It successfully and perhaps uniquely provides sound exegesis at a level that is adequate for the preacher; sets the theological themes in their wider biblical contexts; and surveys the history of the interpretation and influence of the letters, particularly in the Anabaptist-Mennonite tradition. I warmly commend this attractive presentation, which should greatly encourage and assist exposition of these fascinating letters.

—I. Howard Marshall, University of Aberdeen, Scotland

This commentary by Paul Zehr provides helpful guidance to interpret important but difficult passages in a contemporary Anabaptist manner. Zehr is alert to current ecumenical and evangelical scholarship on the pastorals, to the historical and cultural contexts reflected in these books, to the difficult issues of authorship, and to the energy of these letters for the well-being of healthy church leadership.

—John A. Esau, former Mennonite pastor and denominational administrator

With careful scholarship and a Christ-centered hermeneutic, Paul Zehr has given to the church an insightful guide in understanding the Pastoral Epistles. He seeks to work carefully with the cultural background of these scriptures, their context in the larger Scripture, and in applications to our setting. He does not back away from engaging the difficult issues that have divided groups but calls us to follow Paul’s example of contextualizing applications.

—Myron S. Augsburger, President & Professor Emeritus of Eastern Mennonite University

McDermond is well informed on traditional and contemporary evaluations of the letters, well aware of their weaknesses, and well able to draw on their strengths. This is a commentary to use with confidence.

—James D. G. Dunn, Emeritus Lightfoot Professor of Divinity, Durham University

This commentary takes on difficult questions of how these New Testament books spoke to their first-century context and what contemporary Christians should make of their advice. McDermond refuses to get hooked by traditional dualistic interpretations, instead reading the Johannine correspondence as basic theology and functional ethics intertwined.

—Nancy R. Heisey, Professor of Biblical Studies, Eastern Mennonite University

A highly readable, insightful, and skillfully analytical exploration of these vital epistles. The themes of Christology, relationship of faith to life, faith and love in action, sin and forgiveness, are handled with wisdom and sensitivity, with good attention to how these epistles have been understood and applied throughout the church's history.

—Gary Knarr, Pastor, First Mennonite Church, Kitchener, Ontario

McDermond weaves the Gospel of John throughout his analysis, providing an additional degree of comprehensiveness and cohesion. After reading this commentary, one feels one knows Johannine thought more thoroughly overall.

—Lynn H. Cohick, Associate Professor of New Testament, Wheaton College