Kress Biblical Studies Collection (13 vols.)
Overview
Explore scholarly expositions, contemporary issues, and practical teachings with the Kress Biblical Studies Collection. This 13-volume set contains books on diverse topics—yet these titles are singularly united in their commitment to the primacy of Scripture. Widely endorsed by pastors and scholars such as John MacArthur, R. Albert Mohler Jr., Cyril J. Barber, and Norman Geisler, the volumes in the Kress Biblical Studies Collection are practical and stem from the conviction that Scripture is uniquely suited for speaking to the issues the church faces today.
This collection contains commentaries and expositions of the Old and New Testament, along with Jim Rosscup’s comprehensive bibliography of Bible commentaries. Additionally, the books in this collection explore important topics in the contemporary church, such as divine healing and God’s plan for the nation of Israel.
In the Logos editions, these volumes are enhanced by amazing functionality. Scripture citations link directly to your preferred English translations, and important terms link to dictionaries, encyclopedias, and a wealth of other resources in your digital library. Perform powerful searches to find exactly what you’re looking for. With Logos Bible Software, the most efficient and comprehensive research tools are in one place, so you get the most out of your study.
This collection is no longer available. Be sure to check out other collections that include and individual resources from Kress.
- Study guides and questions to focus the exploration of Scripture
- Expositional commentaries in easy-to-understand language
- Title: Kress Biblical Studies Collection
- Publisher: Kress Christian
- Volumes: 13
- Pages: 2,679
- Resource Type: Topical
- Topic: Spiritual Warfare
Individual Titles
- God in Everyday Life: The Book of Ruth for Expositors and Biblical Counselors by Brad Brandt and Eric Kress
- The Pastoral Epistles for Pastors by John Kitchen
- The Book of James—A New Perspective by William Varner
- Notes for the Study and Exposition of 1st John by Eric Kress
- The Biblical Pattern for Divine Healing by Richard L. Mayhue
- Snatched before the Storm: A Case for Pretribulationism by Richard L. Mayhue
- Meeting God Behind Enemy Lines by Steve Watkins
- Christian Living beyond Belief: Biblical Principles for the Life of Faith by Cliff McManis
- Commentaries for Biblical Expositors by Jim Rosscup
- God’s Plan for Israel by Steven A. Kreloff
- The Discipline of Mercy by Eric Kress and Paul Tautges
- Expository Listening by Ken Ramey
- The Stone and the Glory by Greg Harris
God in Everyday Life: The Book of Ruth for Expositors and Biblical Counselors speaks to people with whom we live and minister today. This expositional commentary on the book of Ruth is a joint effort between Brad Brandt and Rick Kress, whose pastoral experience and deep appreciation for the words of Scripture make this commentary well-suited for both biblical study and pastoral ministry.
This book is an attempt to combine the various elements and styles of different types of study aids into one resource in order to facilitate the biblical exposition and application of the book of Ruth. This volume is not a detailed exegetical work, but rather an expositional commentary, an expository sermon, and a collection of tools to help apply the biblical text.
The book of Ruth follows upon the dark chapters of Judges like the rising sun. And the Moabites’ radiant example shines ever bright today. How grateful I am that Rick Kress’s searching and expositions have been coupled with trenchant analysis and wisdom of Brad Brandt. God in Everyday Life will grace the church both in the pulpit and personal use.
—R. Kent Hughes, senior pastor emeritus, College Church, Wheaton, IL
You will find this practical commentary provides a faithful synthesis of the original text and concrete theological application that will be an asset to every Christian and pastor. While highlighting the broader theological significance, the authors have captured the essence of the book of Ruth so well that it will become a favorite among pastoral counselors.
—John D. Street, chair, MABC Graduate Program, The Master’s College and Seminary
Brad and Rick give you a ‘2-for-1’ bargain. These two pastors complement each other as they give interpretation, presentation, and practical application. Highly recommended for pastors, counselors, and serious Bible students.
—Robert Gromacki, distinguished professor of Bible and Greek, Cedarville University, OH
Brad Brandt has served as pastor-teacher at Wheelersburg Baptist Church in Wheelersburg, Ohio since 1987. He is a graduate of Cedarville College, Grand Rapids Baptist Seminary, and Grace Theological Seminary (DMin). He is a fellow with the National Association of Nouthetic Counselors.
Eric Kress is a graduate of The Master’s Seminary and is currently the pastor of Grace Community Bible Church in Tomball, Texas. He has been involved in Christian publishing since 1999.
This 624-page work is an exegetical and expositional commentary on the Pastoral Epistles. The beginning pastor and the seasoned minister will be better equipped and encouraged to shepherd the flock of God. The appendices are of extraordinary value to the expositor. They include exegetical and expositional outlines, an annotated bibliography, and a topical index to ministry maxims found in the pastorals.
This is an excellent conservative commentary that aids pastors and counselors who preach and teach the Scriptures to church members and others. It is designed to coach the reader into digging deeper by asking and answering pointed questions that apply to one's spiritual life. The appendices are a treasure that proves to be eminently helpful.
—Simon J. Kistemaker, professor emeritus of New Testament, Reformed Theological Seminary, Orlando, FL
I heartily welcome and endorse this encyclopedic study of Paul’s Pastoral Epistles. For years we have had Eugene Stock’s Practical Truths from the Pastoral Epistles and W. Edward Chadwick’s The Pastoral Teaching of St. Paul: His Ministerial Ideals, but this volume goes beyond them in exposition and application. The beginning pastor and the seasoned minister will both discover in these pages enlightenment, encouragement, and a new sense of wonder and privilege of being a servant of God. You can live in this book for the rest of your life and have a more fruitful and rewarding ministry!
—Warren W. Wiersbe, former pastor, Moody Church
Dr. Kitchen is an honest exegete and faithful expositor of both the Greek and English texts of the Word of God. His application sections are encouraging and challenging as well. Recommended for pastors and serious students of the Word.
—Robert Gromacki, distinguished professor of Bible and Greek, Cedarville University, OH
The Pastoral Epistles for Pastors provides an even and thorough treatment of Paul’s Pastoral Epistles from a conservative viewpoint. The appendices deserve special note due to their extraordinary value to the expositor. . . . This volume should be on every preacher’s bookshelf.
—Richard Mayhue, dean and senior vice president, The Master’s Seminary
John Kitchen is the pastor of Stow Alliance Fellowship and has been in pastoral ministry since 1987. He holds degrees from Crown College (BA), Columbia Biblical Seminary (MDiv) and Trinity Evangelical Divinity School (DMin). John as authored five previous books, including Proverbs: A Mentor Commentary.
The book of James has often been described as the Proverbs of the New Testament—meaning wisdom that is only loosely organized, without a strict linguistic structure. Varner’s work reveals that James did indeed intend his message to be understood as a unified whole, rather than merely loosely connected thoughts.
Commentaries that deal explicitly with the Greek text of the New Testament are not common. Those that move beyond word studies and basic grammar are even less common. Professor Varner does what is rare: He treats lexical semantics, grammar, and syntax at both the sentence and discourse levels. Applying the nascent discipline of discourse analysis, this volume provides a careful and helpful study of the message of James that exhibits “trust in the text” to accurately communicate James’—and God’s—message to the church.
—Rodney Decker, professor of New Testament, Baptist Bible Seminary
Will Varner has written an excellent volume that both introduces discourse analysis and provides useful and meaningful commentary on the book of James. He rightly shows that discourse analysis is not a thing to be feared, but rather something of direct benefit to exegetes and practitioners. Varner’s introduction provides a concise and helpful articulation of his method of discourse analysis, and his analysis itself is grounded in the text throughout. I highly recommend this commentary as an exemplification of what the future of commentary writing can and should look like.
—Stanley E. Porter, president and dean, professor of New Testament, McMaster Divinity College, Ontario, Canada
You’ve no doubt heard that the three most important things about real estate are: location, location, location. Likewise, the three most important things about biblical interpretation are: context, context, context. There are great dangers in trying to make sense of a whole sentence by a word or two, or a book by only one paragraph. Will Varner has done pioneer work in this unique commentary on James with this perspective in full focus. This volume explains the whole in view of the parts, and the parts in view of the whole. No other commentary has helped me more for understanding and preaching the book of James than this linguistic commentary. It is simply outstanding!
—Rick Holland, executive pastor, Grace Community Church, director of DMin studies, The Master’s Seminary, CA
William Varner has done an outstanding job of taking complex ideas and presenting them in an accessible and very readable fashion. His unique commentary on James not only provides much insight into the text, but will also serve as a valuable resource for helping students of Greek take their language skills to the next level.
—Martin Culy, associate professor of New Testament, Briercrest College and Seminary, Saskatchewan, Canada
The field of ‘Jacobean’ studies has been enriched by this innovative and provocative work. The author’s discourse analysis approach sets him apart from the traditional commentaries on James. Yet he is dedicated to a methodology grounded in the grammatical realities of the text that enables an individual to ‘hear’ the message of James. Readers will find this a perceptive and challenging commentary filled with rich exegetical insights and informed discussions on the theme, unity, structure, and intertextuality of James. Varner recognizes the value of knowing a biblical author’s literary style in solving exegetical and textual problems. Students and scholars of James will accrue rich dividends by investing in the reading of this thought-provoking, well written, and linguistically informed commentary.
—Dr. Paul W. Felix, associate professor of New Testament, The Master’s Seminary, CA
Will Varner’s commentary breaks new ground with a discourse analysis of the epistle of James. Varner tills the soil with innovative linguistic, syntactical, semantic, and rhetorical investigations. He also employs cutting edge work in the field, including verbal aspect theory, speech-act theory, and comparative studies of wisdom literature. The reader will reap a new understanding of the structural “big picture” of the epistle, rooted in cogent discussions of syntactical cohesion, semantic chaining, linguistic prominence, and discourse peaking. The careful cultivation of the text yields a rich harvest of original insights.
—Paul Hartog, associate professor, Faith Baptist Theological Seminary
William Varner is professor of Bible and Greek and director of the Israel Study Program (IBEX) at The Master’s College in Santa Clarita, California. He also pastors the Sojourners Fellowship at Grace Community Church.
Notes for the Study and Exposition of 1st John is a book that is just that—reference notes that have been divided into sermon-sized pieces to facilitate preaching, teaching and studying through the epistle of 1 John. This book is not designed as a flowing commentary to be read from cover to cover by itself. It should be used with an open Bible and in conjunction with other study aids.
It is not a collection of sermons, but it is meant to encourage expository teaching through the epistle. It is not fully an exegetical commentary, but it has important clues for expositors to accurately get at the meaning and appropriately apply 1 John. It is not a teacher’s quarterly, but it will help one to teach through the epistle in a class or small group setting.
The notes are meant to give lexical, grammatical and theological insights into the text of 1st John. The outline is designed to expose the epistle’s flow of thought in a form that can be easily communicated and understood, and it may be used in its entirety, modified or simply set aside at the user’s discretion. An appendix is included to facilitate individual or small group study.
I have found this treatment of 1 John very helpful in my own preparation. It is concise, well-outlined, and detailed enough in the text to get at the right interpretation.
—John MacArthur, pastor and teacher, Grace Community Church, Sun Valley, CA
Eric Kress is a graduate of The Master’s Seminary and is currently the pastor of Grace Community Bible Church in Tomball, Texas. He has been involved in Christian publishing since 1999.
The thrust of this study is not whether God can or cannot heal. He can! He does! At times, God acts in ways that only his direct intervention is an adequate explanation for physical healing. Healing by God’s direct intervention is not always instantaneous, nor complete. God’s touch is not brought about by any demand, gimmick, method, or plea from a would-be healing. It is God’s response to the earnest prayer of believers. This concise study examines the full range of biblical material to determine the pattern of God’s healing act.
Richard L. Mayhue is the senior vice president and dean of The Master’s Seminary in California.
This booklet is ideal for the pastor teaching a class or preparing a sermon on the rapture of the church. It will also prove helpful for anyone seeking a concise, yet clear, explanation of pretribulationism.
Richard L. Mayhue joined the faculty of The Master’s Seminary, Sun Valley, California in 1989 and was appointed dean of the Seminary in 1990. In 2000 he also assumed the role of senior vice-president and provost of The Master’s College. He has an international speaking and teaching ministry and has authored many books.
Meeting God Behind Enemy Lines
- Author: Steve Watkins
- Publisher: Kress Publications
- Publication Date: 2005
- Pages: 176
This autobiography details the intense training of a United States Navy SEAL, and the events that culminated in his coming to faith in Jesus Christ. Included are stories of sniper training, “Hell week,” covert operations and training, including Operation Michael Jordan and Desert Storm. Appendices include: “From SEAL Team to Seminary” and “God’s Plan of Salvation.”
Steve Watkins, member of the elite covert commandos that worked behind enemy lines in the first Gulf War, tells his remarkable story in such a way that the reader can’t put it down. But the inside story is even more compelling as Steve records how he came to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ in the midst of his military service. It’s my privilege to know him and his devotion to Christ, and his faithfulness in ministry.
—John MacArthur, pastor-teacher, Grace Community Church, CA
Steve Watkins (MDiv, The Master’s Seminary) currently serves as senior pastor at Kenton Baptist Church in Kenton, Kentucky.
Individual Christian growth comes through the life-long, consistent practice of the spiritual disciplines. The spiritual disciplines are simply prioritized virtues for daily living. These virtues are clearly taught in the Bible, were modeled perfectly by Christ, were preached by the first Apostles, and were implemented in the early church. And it is through these disciplines that Jesus will continue to build his church, one believer at a time.
If your desire is to grow as a believer, mature in the faith, please Christ, have the fullness of the Christian life, and walk confidently in the will of God, then this study is for you. There are many books on Christian growth. Some are great and some not so great. To add to this growing canon of literature, Cliff McManis offers this book as a fresh study. This book is designed to be a tool, and its chapters are the byproduct of more than 15 years of Bible teaching, counseling, and ministry.
Pastor McManis offers keen and credible biblical teaching on the character of true spiritual growth and Christian discipleship. This book is filled with biblical insight and will help Christians to understand how they can glorify God and experience his blessings in their own lives and in their churches.
—R. Albert Mohler Jr., president, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, KY
In contrast to the claims of the church growth movement, Cliff McManis demonstrates that real corporate growth must be measured in terms of individual spiritual growth. Cliff’s approach is straightforward and biblical, and serves as a helpful resource for churches that want to grow the right way—with depth not just breadth.
—John MacArthur, pastor-teacher, Grace Community Church, CA
Any believer will greatly benefit from this book on the basic disciplines of the Christian life.
—Norman Geisler, dean, Southern Evangelical Seminary, NC
Cliff McManis (MDiv, ThM, PhD) is an ordained pastor, Bible teacher, theologian and biblical counselor.
Anyone who is committed to the exposition of Scripture knows the tremendous challenge of the study: the need to reconstruct the historic setting, deal with the language, maintain a consistent theological relationship with the rest of Scripture, unravel the difficult and obscure portions and make all of that study produce a work that is both profound and practical.
This annotated bibliography is so foundational and so necessary that no student of Scripture who intends to exposit it accurately and effectively should select commentaries until first spending time with Commentaries for Bible Expositors.
What is unique about Commentaries for Biblical Expositors is the division of this massive number of commentaries into three rating systems, placed conveniently at the beginning of the book. Serious students will appreciate the rather extensive annotations.
—Walter Kaiser Jr., Colman M. Mockler Distinguished Professor of Old Testament and Ethics President, Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, MA
Dr. Rosscup has condensed a lifetime of personal research into these pages. His comments are judicious and his recommendations reliable . . . I commend this work to the present generation of pastors, as well as to those who are ‘ministers-in-the-making.’
—Cyril J. Barber, pastor emeritus, Plymouth Church, CA
Dr. Rosscup unlocks an unprecedented treasure. His compilation, annotation and evaluation of more than 1,000 commentaries will show the best of the best, both old and new. His lifetime investment will produce incalculably rich dividends in our future expositions. His revised edition looks at more than 300 additional commentaries.
—Richard Mayhue, vice president and dean, The Master’s Seminary, CA
Jim Rosscup (ThM, ThD, Dallas Theological Seminary; PhD, in New Testament from King’s College, University of Aberdeen, Scotland) has been on the faculty of The Master’s Seminary since 1987. He formerly served as chairman of the department of Bible Exposition at Talbot Theological Seminary from 1965 to 1987. He is the author of the five volume Exposition on Prayer in the Bible.
The title of this book states that its subject matter is God’s plan for Israel. However, that’s only part of the story. More specifically, this book is about the righteousness of God in his dealings with the Jewish people. While books abound concerning Israel and prophecy, authors seldom write about God’s faithfulness in relation to the children of Jacob. This volume endeavors to present an exposition of Paul’s teaching in Romans 9–11 regarding the integrity of God in his dealings with Israel.
In a day when there is a drift from traditional dispensationalism toward covenant theology, Steven Kreloff’s book God’s Plan for Israel appears as a breath of fresh air. His lucid treatment of Romans 9–11 is an excellent exposition of Israel’s past, present, and future.
I always enjoy Steve Kreloff’s biblical expositions because of the clarity with which he distills the meaning of every text. Steve’s natural passion for Israel and the special relevance of Romans 9–11 to that subject gives this volume an energy level that is contagious.
—Phil Johnson, executive director, Grace to You
This very readable, clear exposition of Romans 9–11 is highly recommended.
—Robert Gromacki, distinguished professor of Bible and Greek, Cedarville University, OH
Steve Kreloff has written a remarkably insightful and helpful study of Israel’s future.
—Paul Enns, director and professor, Tampa Extension of Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary
Steve Kreloff is a Jewish Christian who received Jesus as his Messiah and Lord while a student at the University of South Florida. He is a graduate of the Moody Bible Institute and Tampa Bay Theological Seminary. Since 1981 he has been the pastor and teacher at Lakeside Community Chapel in Clearwater, Florida. Steve can be heard on the radio program, Verse-by-Verse Radio.
Sin does not deliver on its promises. Rather, it brings only pain and misery with its rebellion. Sin’s pleasure is only for a moment, but its painful consequences may last a lifetime. So where do we turn when we have fallen for the deceptive power of sin and are left reeling in the wake of the havoc it causes?
In The Discipline of Mercy, pastors and counselors Eric Kress and Paul Tautges take us deep into the book of Lamentations where we are exhorted to place our hope fully in the faithful mercy and loyal love of a gracious God—no matter the extent of our suffering. God alone is sovereign and rules forever—and he will use even the grievous effects of sin to accomplish his purposes. God loves his own too much not to discipline us, and yet he is faithful to suffer alongside us, cleansing us, healing us, and grieving with us as He crafts us into useful vessels for his glory. The corrective and purifying discipline of God is one of the most significant demonstrations of his unfailing mercy, perhaps overshadowed only by the sacrifice of Jesus Christ.
A tremendous accomplishment. It is at once a verse-by-verse commentary, a rich devotional treasury, and a very capable biblical counselor’s guide.
—Lance Quinn, pastor teacher, The Bible Church of Little Rock, TX
Authors Kress and Tautges have brought this small prophecy to life for us, pulling it out of the shadows of neglect and drawing us irresistibly to its timeless lessons.
—Irv Busenitz, vice president of administration and professor of Bible exposition and Old Testament, The Master’s Seminary, CA
Eric Kress graduated from The Master’s Seminary an currently pastors Grace Community Bible Church in Texas.
Paul Tautges is a certified biblical counselor with the National Association of Nouthetic Counselors and International Association of Biblical Counselors. In addition, he pastors Immanuel Bible Church and has written several books, including Counsel One Another and Counsel Your Flock.
“Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.” (James 1:22). In many people’s mind, if they don’t get anything out of the sermon, it’s the preacher’s fault. But that’s only half true. The Bible teaches that listeners must partner with the preacher so that the Word of God accomplishes its intended purpose of transforming their life. Expository Listening is your handbook on biblical listening. It is designed to equip you not only to understand what true, biblical preaching sounds like, but also how to receive it, and ultimately, what to do about it. You need to know how to look for the Word of God, to love the Word of God, and to live the Word of God. In this way, God and His Word will be honored and glorified through your life.
Ken Ramey’s book should be distributed far and wide. It meets a neglected need in the life of the church. I highly recommend it to every preacher, who would do himself and his congregation a huge favor by making it available. Get it today!
—Jay Adams, author, Be Careful How You Listen: How to Get the Most Out of a Sermon
As Christians we have high expectations of our pastors as they preach the Word of God. In this book Ken Ramey shows that we ought to have equally high expectations of ourselves. Expository preaching demands expository listening. If you struggle to listen, prayerfully read this book and heed its lessons.
—Tim Challies, blogger, author, www.discerningreader.com, Ontario, Canada
Ken Ramey received his MDiv and his DMin in expository preaching at The Master’s Seminary. He currently pastors Lakeside Bible Church in Montgomery, Texas.
In The Stone and the Glory, Greg Harris takes his readers on a profound journey through the Scriptures as they explore the glorious realities of the stone prophecies. The journey begins with Abraham on his way to Canaan; it continues with the Israelites wandering toward the Promised Land; it includes the glorious Temple, as well as the life of Christ in the days before his passion; it chronicles the stone prophecies in the book of Acts; and it culminates with Messiah’s return in glory. Along the way, readers will joyfully find themselves identifying with the biblical characters, pondering how they would have responded if they themselves were living in Bible times.
Greg Harris (MDiv, ThM, Talbot Theological Seminary; ThD, Dallas Theological Seminary) is professor of Bible exposition at The Master’s Seminary and international faculty at Jordan Evangelical Theological Seminary. He has formerly served as associate professor of Bible exposition at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary and professor of Bible exposition at Washington Bible College.
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