Wish List of New Testament Commentaries for the Reformed Institute of Ministry

The following is a list of books we want to have at the Reformed Institute of Ministry (RIM) and, Lord willing, for the Heidelberg Theological Seminary (HTS) center in Davao City.


The New Testament commentaries included in this wish list were chosen mainly due to their generally conservative evangelical and Reformed perspective. The list includes introductory and advanced levels commentaries. Some of the commentaries require knowledge of the original language (Greek). Most are easily understandable and helpful for homiletical (preaching) and catechetical (teaching) purposes.

Lord willing, we will be able to strengthen our New Testament commentary collection at the RIM library as we acquire these commentaries in the near future. The Old Testament commentaries wish list has been published in this blog several years ago.


Matthew


1. R. T. France — The Gospel of Matthew (New International Commentary on the New Testament, 2007).

2. D. A. Carson — “Matthew” in The Expositor’s Bible Commentary (1984).

3. Leon Morris — The Gospel According to Matthew (Pillar New Testament Commentary, 1992). 

4. Herman N. Ridderbos — Matthew (Bible Student's Commentary, 1987).

5. Daniel M. Doriani — Matthew: 2 Volume Set (Reformed Expository Commentary, 2008). 

6. Douglas Sean O'Donnell — Matthew: All Authority in Heaven and On Earth (Preaching the Word, 2013). 

Mark 

1. R.T. France — The Gospel of Mark (The New International Greek Testament Commentary, 2002). 

2. William L. Lane — The Gospel According to Mark (The New International Commentary on the New Testament, 1974). 

3. James R. Edwards — The Gospel According to Mark (The Pillar New Testament Commentary, 2002). 

4. C.E.B. Cranfield — The Gospel According to Mark (The Cambridge Greek Testament Commentary, 1959). 

5. Sinclair B. Ferguson — Let's Study Mark (Let's Study Series, 1999).

6. R. Kent Hughes — Mark: Jesus, Servant and Savior, 2 Volumes in 1 (Preaching the Word, 2015). 

Luke 

1. Darrell L. Bock — Luke 1:1-9:50; Luke 9:51-24:53 (Baker Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament, 1994, 1996). 

2. Leon Morris — Luke (Tyndale New Testament Commentaries, 1988). 

3. William Hendriksen — Exposition of the Gospel According to Luke (New Testament Commentary, 1978). 

4. Philip Graham Ryken — Luke: 2 Volume Set (Reformed Expository Commentary, 2009). 

5. R. Kent Hughes — Luke:That You May Know the Truth, 2 Volumes in 1 (Preaching the Word, 2014). 

John 

1. D.A. Carson — The Gospel According to John (Pillar New Testament Commentary, 1990). 

2. Leon Morris — The Gospel According to John (New International Commentary on the New Testament, 1995). 

3. Herman Ridderbos — The Gospel of John: A Theological Commentary (1997).

4. Andreas J. Kostenberger — John (Baker Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament, 2004). 

5. R. Kent Hughes — John: That You May Believe, ESV Edition (Preaching the Word, 2014). 

6. Richard D. Phillips — John: 2 Volume Set (Reformed Expository Commentary, 2014). 

Acts 

1. Darrell L. Bock — Acts (Baker Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament, 2007). 

2. F.F. Bruce — The Book of the Acts (New International Commentary on the New Testament, 1988). 

3. Derek W. H. Thomas — Acts (Reformed Expository Commentary, 2011). 

4. R. Kent Hughes — Acts: The Church Afire (Preaching the Word, 1996).

5. Dennis E. Johnson — Let's Study Acts (Let's Study Series, 2003).

6. John R. W. Stott — The Spirit, the Church, and the World (1990).

Romans 

1. Douglas Moo — The Epistle to the Romans (New International Commentary on the New Testament, 1996). 

2. John Murray. — The Epistle to the Romans (1960). 

3. Leon Morris — The Epistle to the Romans (Pillar New Testament Commentary, 1988). 

4. Thomas Schreiner — Romans (Baker Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament, 1998). 

5. C.E.B. Cranfield - Romans 1-8; Romans 9-16 (International Critical Commentaries, 2004).

6. R. Kent Hughes — Romans: Righteousness from Heaven, ESV Edition (Preaching the Word, 2013). 

7. John R.W. Stott — Romans: God's Good News for the World (The Bible Speaks Today, 1995). 

1 Corinthians 

1. Anthony C. Thiselton — The First Epistle to the Corinthians (New International Greek Testament Commentary, 2000). 

2. Paul Barnett — 1 Corinthians (Focus on the Bible, 2004). 

3. Charles Hodge. — 1 & 2 Corinthians (Geneva Commentaries, 1857). 

4. Leon Morris — 1 Corinthians (Tyndale New Testament Commentaries, 1985). 

5. Richard L. Pratt Jr — 1 & 2 Corinthians (Holman New Testament Commentary, 2000). 

6. Stephen T. Um — 1 Corinthians: The Word of the Cross (Preaching the Word, 2015). 

2 Corinthians 

1. Paul Barnett — The Second Epistle to the Corinthians (New International Commentary on the New Testament, 1997). 

2. Charles Hodge — 1 & 2 Corinthians (Geneva Commentaries, 1857). 

3. Murray J. Harris — The Second Epistle to the Corinthians (New International Greek Testament Commentary, 2005). 

4. Colin Kruse — 2 Corinthians (Tyndale New Testament Commentaries, 1987). 

5. R. Kent Hughes — 2 Corinthians: Power in Weakness (Preaching the Word, 2006). 

Galatians 

1. Philip Graham Ryken — Galatians (Reformed Expository Commentary, 2005). 

2. F.F. Bruce — The Epistle to the Galatians (New International Greek Testament Commentary, 1982). 

3. Timothy George — Galatians (New American Commentary, 1994). 

4. Leon Morris — Galatians: Paul’s Charter of Christian Freedom (2003). 

5. Terry L. Johnson — Galatians: A Mentor Expository Commentary (2012). 

6. John R.W. Stott — The Message of Galatians (The Bible Speaks Today, 1968).

Ephesians 

1. Peter T. O’Brien — The Letter to the Ephesians (Pillar New Testament Commentary, 1999). 

2. Harold Hoehner — Ephesians: An Exegetical Commentary (2002). 

3. Sinclair B. Ferguson — Let's Study Ephesians (Let's Study Series, 2005). 

4. Frank Thielman - Ephesians (Baker Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament, 2010). 

5. Bryan Chapell — Ephesians (Reformed Expository Commentary, 2009). 

6. R. Kent Hughes — Ephesians: The Mystery of the Body of Christ, ESV edition (Preaching the Word, 2013). 

Philippians 

1. Peter T. O’Brien — The Epistle to the Philippians (New International Greek Testament Commentary, 1991). 

2. Moises Silva — Philippians (Baker Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament, 2005). 

3. Frank Thielman — Philippians (NIV Application Commentary, 1995). 

4. Dennis E. Johnson — Philippians (Reformed Expository Commentary, 2013). 

5. D. A. Carson — Basics for Believers: An Exposition of Believers (1996).

6. R. Kent Hughes — Philippians, Colossians, and Philemon: The Fellowship of the Gospel and The Supremacy of Christ (Preaching the Word, 2013). 

Colossians 

1. Peter T. O’Brien — Colossians-Philemon (Word Biblical Commentary, 1987). 

2. Douglas J. Moo — The Letters to the Colossians and to Philemon (Pillar New Testament Commentary, 2008). 

3. F.F. Bruce — The Epistles to the Colossians, to Philemon, and to the Ephesians (New International Commentary on the New Testament, 1984). 

4. Murray J. Harris — Colossians and Philemon (Exegetical Guide to the Greek New Testament, 1991). 

5. R. Kent Hughes — Philippians, Colossians, and Philemon: The Fellowship of the Gospel and The Supremacy of Christ (Preaching the Word, 2013).

1 & 2 Thessalonians 

1. Gene L. Green — The Letters to the Thessalonians (Pillar New Testament Commentary, 2002). 

2. F.F. Bruce — 1 & 2 Thessalonians (Word Biblical Commentary, 1982). 

3. G.K. Beale — 1-2 Thessalonians (IVP New Testament Commentary, 2003). 

4. Leon Morris — The First and Second Epistles to the Thessalonians (New International Commentary on the New Testament, 1991). 

5. Richard D. Phillips — 1 and 2 Thessalonians (Reformed Expository Commentary, 2015).

6. James H. Grant Jr. — 1 - 2 Thessalonians: The Hope of Salvation (Preaching the Word, 2015). 

Pastoral Epistles 

1. George W. Knight, III — The Pastoral Epistles (New International Greek Testament Commentary, 1999). 

2. Philip H. Towner — The Letters to Timothy And Titus (New International Commentary on the New Testament, 2006). 

3. Philip Graham Ryken — 1 Timothy (Reformed Expository Commentary, 2007). 

4. John Calvin — 1 and 2 Timothy and Titus (Crossway Classic Commentaries, 1998). 

5. R. Kent Hughes and Bryan Chapell — 1 - 2 Timothy and Titus: Guard the Deposit (Preaching the Word, 2012). 

Philemon

1. Peter T. O’Brien — Colossians-Philemon (Word Biblical Commentary, 1987). 

2. Douglas J. Moo — The Letters to the Colossians and to Philemon (Pillar New Testament Commentary, 2008). 

3. R. Kent Hughes — Philippians, Colossians, and Philemon: The Fellowship of the Gospel and The Supremacy of Christ (Preaching the Word, 2013).

4. Benjamin L. Merkle, Alistair I. Wilson, et al. — Ephesians - Philemon (ESV Expository Commentary, 2018).

Hebrews 

1. William L. Lane — Hebrews 1-8; Hebrews 9-13 (Word Biblical Commentary, 1991). 

2. Philip E. Hughes — A Commentary on the Epistle to the Hebrews (1977). 

3. R. T. France — “Hebrews” in The Expositors Bible Commentary, Revised Edition (2006). 

4. Richard D. Phillips — Hebrews (Reformed Expository Commentary, 2006). 

5. R. Kent Hughes — Hebrews: An Anchor for the Soul, 2 Volumes in 1 (Preaching the Word, 2015). 

James 

1. Douglas Moo — The Letter of James (Pillar New Testament Commentary, 2000). 

2. Peter H. Davids — The Epistle of James (New International Greek Testament Commentary, 1982). 

3. Craig L. Blomberg and Mariam J. Kamell — James (Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament, 2008). 

4. R. Kent Hughes — James: Faith that Works (Preaching the Word, 2015). 

5. Gordon Keddie — The Practical Christian: Message of James (Welwyn Commentary, 2004). 

6. Daniel M. Doriani - James (Reformed Expository Commentary, 2007). 

1 Peter 

1. Edmund Clowney — The Message of 1 Peter (The Bible Speaks Today, 1988). 

2. Karen Jobes — 1 Peter (Baker Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament, 2005). 

3. Peter Davids — The First Epistle of Peter (New International Commentary on the New Testament, 1990). 

4. Daniel M. Doriani - 1 Peter (Reformed Expository Commentary, 2014). 

5. Wayne Grudem — 1 Peter (Tyndale New Testament Commentaries, 1988). 

2 Peter and Jude 

1. Gene L. Green — Jude and 2 Peter (Baker Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament, 2008). 

2. Peter H. Davids — The Letters of 2 Peter and Jude (Pillar New Testament Commentary, 2006). 

3. Douglas J. Moo — 2 Peter, Jude (NIV Application Commentary, 1997). 

4. Thomas Schreiner — 1, 2 Peter, Jude (New American Commentary, 2003). 

5. David R. Helm — 1 - 2 Peter and Jude: Sharing Christ's Suffering (Preaching the Word, 2015). 

The Epistles of John 

1. Colin Kruse — The Letters of John (Pillar New Testament Commentary, 2000). 

2. Robert W. Yarbrough — 1-3 John (Baker Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament, 2008). 

3. Gary M. Burge — Letters of John (NIV Application Commentary, 1996). 

4. Terry L. Johnson — 1, 2, 3 John: A Mentor Expository Commentary (2016). 

5. Douglas Sean O'Donnell — 1-3 John (Reformed Expository Commentary, 2017). 

6. John R. W. Stott — The Epistles of John (Tyndale New Testament Commentaries, 1964).

Revelation 

1. G.K. Beale — The Book of Revelation (New International Greek Testament Commentary, 1999). 

2. Stephen S. Smalley — The Revelation to John (2005). 

3. William Hendriksen — More Than Conquerors: An Interpretation of the Book of Revelation (2015). 

4. Dennis E. Johnson — The Triumph of the Lamb: A Commentary on Revelation (2001). 

5. Joel R. Beeke — Revelation (Lectio Continua Expository Commentary on the New Testament, 2016). 

6. Richard D. Phillips — Revelation (Reformed Expository Commentary, 2017). 

7. Vern S. Poythress — The Returning King: A Guide to the Book of Revelation (2000).

8. Richard Bauckham — The Climax of Prophecy: Studies on the Book of Revelation (1993).

9. Richard Bauckham — The Theology of the Book of Revelation (New Testament Theology, 1993).

Wish List for the Reformed Institute of Ministry (RIM) Library

I am coming up with a list of important Biblical and theological books for our Reformed Institute of Ministry. Here are some of the titles that I come up with arranged according to topic or subject. Bible commentaries are not yet included here. I hope to come up with another list of books on commentaries later.

Introduction to Theology
1. Manual of Christian Doctrine – Louis Berkhof
2. The Christian Life – Sinclair Ferguson
3. What Is Reformed Theology – R.C. Sproul
4. Essential Truths of the Christian Faith – R.C. Sproul
5. Concise Theology – J. I. Packer
6. Our Reasonable Faith – Herman Bavinck
7. The Marrow of Theology – William Ames
8. A Body of Divinity – Thomas Watson
9. Introduction to Systematic Theology – Cornelius Van Til
10. Dictionary of Latin and Greek Theological Terms – Richard Muller
11. Reformed Dogmatics: Prolegomena (Vol.1) – Herman Bavinck
12. The Doctrine of the Knowledge of God – John Frame

Systematic Theology
1. Systematic Theology – Louis Berkhof
2. Reformed Dogmatics – Heinrich Heppe
3. Reformed Dogmatics - Herman Hoeksema
4. Systematic Theology – Charles Hodge
5. Outlines of Theology – A.A. Hodge
6. Selected Shorter Writings – B.B. Warfield
7. Collected Writings of John Murray
8. Institutes of the Christian Religion – John Calvin
9. Institutes of Elenctic Theology – Francis Turretin
10. Reformed Dogmatics – Herman Bavinck
11. Christians Reasonable Service – Wilhelmus a Brakel
12. The Christian Faith - Michael Horton
13. A New Systematic Theology of the Christian Faith – Robert L. Reymond
14. A Puritan Theology – Joel Beeke & Mark Jones
15. Reformed Confessions Harmonized – Joel Beeke & Sinclair Ferguson

Doctrine of God (Theology Proper)
1. Reformed Dogmatics: God and Creation (Volume 2) – Herman Bavinck
2. The Doctrine of God – John Frame
3. The Existence and Attributes of God – Stephen Charnock
4. The Providence of God – Paul Helm
5. Knowing God – J. I. Packer
6. Attributes of God – A.W. Pink

Doctrine of Man
1. Created in God’s Image – Anthony Hoekema
2. The Christian View of Man – J. Gresham Machen
3. Calvin’s Doctrine of Man – T. F. Torrance
4. Not the Way It Supposed to Be: A Breviary of Sin – Cornelius Plantinga

Doctrine of Christ
1. Reformed Dogmatics: Sin and Salvation in Christ (Vol. 3) – Herman Bavinck
2. The Person of Christ – Donald MacLeod
3. The Work of Christ – Robert Letham
4. The Person and Work of Christ – B.B. Warfield
5. The Cross of Christ – John Stott

Doctrine of the Holy Spirit and Salvation
1. Redemption Accomplished and Applied – John Murray
2. Saved by Grace – Anthony Hoekema
3. The Holy Spirit – Sinclair Ferguson
4. The Atonement – Leon Morris
5. The Gospel of Free Acceptance in Christ – Cornelis P. Venema
6. Accepted and Renewed in Christ – Cornelis P. Venema

Doctrine of the Church
1. Reformed Dogmatics: Holy Spirit, Church and New Creation (Vol 4) – Herman Bavinck
2. The Church – Edmund Clowney
3. The Glorious Body of Christ – R. B. Kuiper

Doctrine of the Last Things
1. The Promise of the Future – Cornelis Venema
2. The Bible and the Future – Anthony Hoekema
3. A Case for Amillennialism: Underatanding the End Times – Kim Riddlebarger
4. The Last Things – Herman Bavick
5. The Meaning of the Millennium: Four Views – Robert G. Clouse
6. The Bible on the Life After – William Hendriksen
7. The Man of Sin – Kim Riddlebarger

Biblical Theology
1. The Shadow of Christ in the Law of Moses – Vern Poythress
2. The Christ of the Covenants – O. Palmer Robertson
3. The Christ of the Prophets – O. Palmer Robertson
4. Biblical Theology – Geerhardus Vos
5. The Unfolding Mystery: Discovering Christ in the Old Testament – Edmund Clowney
6. A New Testament Biblical Theology – G.K. Beale
7. The Drama of Scripture: Our Place in the Bible Story – Michael Goheen and Craig Bartholomew
8. Promise and Deliverance (4 Vols.) – S.G DeGraaf
9. The Coming of the Kingdom – Herman Ridderbos
10. Paul: An Outline of His Theology – Herman Ridderbos
11. Jesus and Israel: One Covenant or Two – David E. Holwerda

Covenant Theology
1. Economy of the Covenants Between God and Man (2 vols.) – Herman Witsius
2. Redemptive History and Biblical Interpretation: The Shorter Writings of Geerhardus Vos – Richard Gaffin
3. The Christ of the Covenant – O. Palmer Robertson
4. Christ and the Covenant – J. Mark Beach

Historical Theology
1. The History of Christian Doctrines – Louis Berkhof
2. Historical Theology – William Cunningham
3. Historical Theology – Geoffrey W. Bromiley
4. Historical Theology – Alister E. McGrath
5. The Christian Tradition - Jaroslav Pelikan

Bible Interpretation
1. Let the Reader Understand – Dan McCartney and Charles Clayton
2. Principles of Biblical Interpretation – Louis Berkhof
3. Exegetical Fallacies – D.A. Carson
4. Gospel-Centered Hermeneutics – Graeme Goldsworthy
5. Goldsworthy Trilogy – Graeme Goldsworthy
6. According to Plan – Graeme Goldsworthy
7. Knowing Scripture – R.C. Sproul
8. How to Understand Your Bible – T. Norton Sterett and Richard L. Schultz
9. How to Read the Bible for All Its Worth – Gordon Fee and Douglas Stuart
10. Handbook on the New Testament Use of the Old Testament – G. K. Beale

Christian Ethics
1. The Ten Commandments – J. Douma (trans. Nelson Kloosterman)
2. The Doctrine of the Christian Life – John Frame
3. Principles of Conduct – John Murray
4. Evangelical Ethics – John Jefferson Davis

Apologetics and Cultural Engagement
1. Always Ready – Greg Bahnsen
2. Presuppositional Apologetics Stated and Defended – Greg Bahnsen
3. Reasons of the Heart – William Edgar
4. Apologetics for the Glory of God – John Frame
5. Christian Apologetics – Cornelius Van Til
6. The Defense of the Faith – Cornelius Van Til
7. Warranted Christian Belief – Alvin Plantinga
8. Christian and Culture Revisited – D.A. Carson
9. Lectures on Calvinism – Abraham Kuyper
10. The Gagging of God – D. A. Carson

Missions and Evangelism
1. Tell the Truth – Will Metzger
2. Evangelism and the Sovereignty of God – J.I. Packer
3. An Introduction to the Science of Mission – J. H. Bavinck
4. Introducing World Missions – A. Scott Moreau, Gary B. McGee, Gary R. Corwin
5. Let the Nations Be Glad – John Piper
6. Go and Make Disciples – Roger Greenway

Church History
1. The Church in History – B. K. Kuiper
2. Church History in Plain Language – Bruce L. Shelley
3. Sketches from Church History – S. M. Houghton
4. The History of the Christian Church – Phillip Schaff

Church, Church Government and Offices
1. Biblical Church Government: The Church Fulfilling Its Calling – Frank H. Walker
2. Biblical Church Government – Kevin Reed
3. Order in the Offices: Essays Defining Roles of Church Offices – Mark R. Brown, editor
4. Paradigms in Polity: Classic Readings in Reformed and Presbyterian Church Government – eds. David Hall & Joseph Hall
5. Church and Its Polity – Charles Hodge
6. The Glorious Body of Christ – R. B. Kuiper

Ministers, Elders and Deacons
1. The Christian Ministry – Charles Bridges
2. Lectures to My Students – Charles Spurgeon
3. With a Shepherd’s Heart – John Sittema
4. Called to Serve: Essays for Elders and Deacons
5. Biblical Eldership: An Urgent Call to Restore Biblical Church Leadership – Alexander Strauch
6. The Elders Handbook: A Practical Guide for Church Leaders – Lester De Koster and Gerald Berghoef
7. The Deacons Handbook: A Manual of Stewardship – Lester De Koster and Gerald Berghoef
8. The Shepherd Leader: Achieving Effective Shepherding in Your Church – Timothy Z. Witmer

Biblical Preaching
1. Christ-centered Preaching – Bryan Chapell
2. Preaching the Whole Bible as Christian Scripture – Graeme Goldsworthy
3. Preaching and Preachers – Martin Lloyd-Jones
4. Between Two Worlds – John R. W. Stott
5. The Supremacy of God in Preaching – John Piper
6. Feed My Sheep: A Passionate Plea for Preaching – Joel Beeke, John MacArthur, etc.
7. Preaching Christ from the Old Testament – Sidney Greidanus
8. Biblical Preaching – Haddon W. Robinson
9. The Preacher and Preaching – Samuel T. Logan
10. He Is Not Silent: Preaching in a Postmodern World – R. Albert Mohler

Church Education
1. Foundational Issues in Christian Education: An Introduction in Evangelical Perspective – Robert W. Pazmiño
2. Christian Religious Education: Sharing Our Story and Vision – Thomas H. Groome
3. Rediscovering Catechism: The Art of Equipping Covenant Children – Donald Van Dyken

Church Worship, Liturgy and Discipline
1. Biblical Worship – Kevin Reed
2. Corporate Worship in the Reformed Tradition – James Hastings Nichols
3. Worship Revised and Extended Edition: Reformed According to Scripture – Hughes Oliphant Old
4. Reformed Worship: Worship That is According to Scripture – Terry Johnson
5. With Reverence and Awe: Returning to the Basics of Reformed Worship – D. G. Hart and John R. Muether
6. Scripture and Worship: Biblical Interpretation and the Directory of Public Worship – Richard Muller and Rowland Ward
7. Christ-centered Worship: Letting the Gospel Shape our Practice – Bryan Chapell
8. What to Expect in Reformed Worship: A Visitor’s Guide – Daniel Hyde
9. Handbook of Church Discipline – Jay Adams
10. Calvin’s Doctrine of the Word and Sacrament – Ronald Wallace

Christian and Reformed Spirituality
1. Puritan Reformed Spirituality – Joel R. Beeke
2. Calvin’s Doctrine of the Christian Life – Ronald S. Wallace
3. Christian Spirituality: Five Views of Sanctification – Donald L. Alexander