Annotated Bibliography: A Bible Study Reference Bookshelf

Volume 57 Issue 2 Article 15

2014

Annotated Bibliography: A Bible Study Reference Bookshelf Annotated Bibliography: A Bible Study Reference Bookshelf

Jeannie Ferriss

Yellowstone Christian College

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Recommended Citation Recommended Citation

Ferriss, Jeannie (2014) "Annotated Bibliography: A Bible Study Reference Bookshelf,"

The Christian

Librarian

: Vol. 57: Iss. 2, Article 15.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.55221/2572-7478.1413

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Annotated Bibliography: A Bible Study Reference Bookshelf

Librarians are often asked which resources they prefer in a variety of different venues;

and for smaller academic libraries the cost of new books may prohibit the buying

of a large number of resources. The following is a listing of books to assist librarians

in beginning a basic Bible study references collection which includes a variation of

handbooks, dictionaries, atlases and more. The selection of books is based on the

reference sources most used within the Ida Dockery Owen Library at Yellowstone

Christian College by students, pastors, lay people and others.

Armstong, J.J., (Ed.) (2013). Commentary on Isaiah: Eusebius of Caesarea. Downers

Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press Academic.

As part of a larger set, this volume shares the complete commentary on Isaiah by

Eusebius of Caesarea. The purpose of the set is to publish the works of some of

the ﬁrst Christian theologians in their entirety or in as complete a way as possible.

The works give scholars an inside view into the early church and the theology

discussed by well-known Christian leaders and scholars of the time. This set is a

complementary edition to the Ancient Christian Commentary on Scripture.

Brisco, T. V. (1998). Holman Bible atlas. Nashville, TN: Broadman & Holman.

This well-indexed atlas is a colorful addition to any collection. It includes color

photographs and maps, archaeology notes, charts, building diagrams and an

extended narrative of the major Bible time periods. The maps are large enough

to be easily read and contain limited information for quick searches and simple

location of individual sites.

De Hamel, C. (2001). The book: A history of the Bible. London: Phaidon.

Beautifully illustrated with both color and black and white photographs, this

history of the how the Bible came into being is easy to read and covers the creation

of the book from the beginning to modern day. Chapters are in chronological

order which demonstrates the progression of printing technology, as well as the

different controversies over scripture selection.

Annotated Bibliography:

A Bible Study Reference Bookshelf

Jeannie Ferriss, Library Director

Ida Dockery Owen LIbrary

Yellowstone Christian College

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Annotated Bibliography: A Bible Study Reference Bookshelf

Douglas, J. D. (1974). The new international dictionary of the Christian church. Grand

Rapids. MI: Zondervan Publishing House.

For students needing a quick information search on over 4,800 people, places,

events or theologies; this dictionary gives solid introductions by a variety of

scholars. This book is especially helpful in searching subjects not usually covered

in other works or making connections between lesser known persons who are

indirectly involved in greater events.

Elwell, W. A. (1996). Evangelical dictionary of biblical theology. Grand Rapids, MI:

Baker Books.

This dictionary is a collection of key theological themes from both the Old and

New Testaments, presented from an evangelical perspective. Countries, persons,

concepts and ideas are entries covered in small or great detail as the entry warrants.

Hays, J. D., & Duvall, J. S. (2011). The Baker illustrated Bible handbook. Grand

Rapids, MI: Baker Books.

This handbook has interesting highlights on such subjects as the “Cult of Artemis”

and “Theophany: Direct Encounters With God”. It is an excellent resource for

newer scholars with colorful photographs, maps, charts and illustrations. The

additional articles by evangelical scholars are also helpful to students looking for

more information than a dictionary provides, but not wanting large amounts of

information.

Levine, A.-J., & Brettler, M. Z. (2011). The Jewish annotated New Testament: New

Revised Standard Version Bible translation. Oxford: Oxford University Press.

The authors of this unique look at the New Testament list their purposes for

composing this volume as threefold. Firstly, they present information which explains

much of the customs, literature and interpretations of biblical texts; secondly, the

book highlights the link between Jewish (including rabbinic) literature and the

New Testament; and ﬁnally, the authors address issues the Jewish community has

within the New Testament (p.xi). This book is an interesting source for New

Testament scholars seeking information from the Jewish perspective.

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Annotated Bibliography: A Bible Study Reference Bookshelf

McKim, D. K. (2007). Dictionary of major biblical interpreters. Downers Grove, IL:

InterVarsity Press Academic.

For those who do not understand the beginnings of biblical interpretation, this

unique dictionary includes six period-speciﬁc essays on its origins; along with

individual essays on the contributions of the most well-known interpreters of the

scriptures to the ﬁeld. Biographies featuring historical information on a variety

of individuals, are also presented to assist users in understanding the nature and

background of the interpretation they chose to use.

Martin, R. P., & Davids, P. H. (1997). Dictionary of the later New Testament & its

developments. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press.

One of eight volumes in the set, this dictionary covers the literature written

outside the Pauline epistles and the Gospels. The authors use bibliographies, cross-

references, and an extensive abbreviations section (which also may serve as a list

of references for scholars researching a particular topic) to create detailed entries

on a variety of subjects.

Skolnik, F. & Berenbaum, M. (Eds.). (2007). Encyclopaedia Judaica.

Detroit: Thomson/Gale.

Containing twenty-two volumes, this updated edition contains excellent

information on everything from lesser known scholars to the Holocaust. Illustrated

with photographs, maps, and charts; the ﬁnal volume also contains a thematic

outline and complete index. Students may beneﬁt from the different perspectives

presented in the articles, as well as enjoy the information included on subjects not

normally covered in other resources.

Tenney, M. C., & Douglas, J. D. (1987). The new international dictionary of the Bible:

Pictorial edition. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House.

Full of both color and black/white illustrations, this dictionary is based on the NIV

Bible with a cross-referencing to the KJV translation. It includes 5,400 individual

entries, along with maps, charts, and a complete scripture index.

Water, M. (2004). Encyclopedia of Bible facts. Chattanooga, TN: AMG Publishers.

This fact book about the Bible includes other helps such as: a brief explanation

of different translations, a section on Bible languages, information on cities, and

other facts not generally found in other sources. The book is well outlined for easy

reference and each area contains a detailed table of contents.

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Wilson, N. S., & Taylor, L. C. (2001). Tyndale handbook of Bible charts & maps.

Wheaton, IL: Tyndale House Publishers.

For those who love charts, maps, illustrations and diagrams, this monograph is full

of information in quick reference formats. The chapters are in order according

to the Old and New Testaments which makes locating information easy to ﬁnd.

A CD is included as well to replicate maps, charts and other information in

color. The licensing arrangement permits the user to print and photocopy maps,

charts and other information for individual or group use. Educators may ﬁnd this

information valuable for classroom use.

Zodhiates, S. (1992). The complete word study New Testament with parallel Greek:

King James Version. Chattanooga, TN: AMG Publishers.

For Bible scholars interested in the original Greek language of the New Testament,

this book contains multiple helps, including a Greek concordance, a translational

reference index and an introduction to each of the New Testament books. Scholars

may appreciate the exegetical notes, lexical aids and grammatical codes as well.

Annotated bibliographies can be on any topic for which a library represented in the ACL

membership will purchase material. Topics can range from juvenile literature to theology, from

the Olympics to special education. If you have a topic of interest that you would like to provide

an annotated bibliography on, please contact one of our Associate Editors, Joshua Avery at:

javery@gbs.edu; or Jeannie Ferriss at: jferriss@yellowstonechristian.edu.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Jeannie Ferriss is the Library Director at Ida Dockery Owen Library, Yellowstone

Christian College. She can be contacted at: jferriss@yellowstonechristian.edu.