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Review :
The British Church Newspaper
The Church at Philippi held a special place in
Paul's heart. Not only was it the first to be established in Europe,
but its members proved themselves to be especially faithful, and
helped Paul by sending him money at various times. This is the
church upon which this commentary is based.
The book's approach in each chapter is first to
explore the text, which is set out, using the New International
Version. This is followed by comments on its meaning to the original
readers. Consideration is then given as to what it means to
Christians today. In so doing, something of the historical setting
is provided, together with the meaning of certain words, mostly in
Greek, and one in Hebrew, for which there is an index of page 161.
Between these two stages, there are some
"comprehension questions", whilst after the discussion on the
passage's application, there are some "Contemplation Questions".
For reference purposes, Index 2 (pp. 157-8)
shows where the main comments on specific verses in Philippians may
be found, whilst Index 3 provides the page references to the other
Scriptures mentioned.
The layout appeals to this reviewer. Text boxes
are used in many places to draw attention to particular points.
Elsewhere cartoon characters are occasionally used to make certain
points, using speech bubbles.
The style is very clear, especially where
doctrinal points are being considered. For example, on the questions
of "saints", it is explained that the term refers to ordinary,
everyday people and not "super-Christians" [p.17].
In other places, there are thought-provoking
comments, one of which might generate a considerable amount of
discussion. It concerns the need to present a unified gospel of
salvation: "On this there can be no differences. Whether we are
pre-millennial, post-millennial or a-millennial; whether we prefer
dispensational theology or covenant theology; such things can be
debated, but there can be no debate over the fact that Christ died
for our sins and rose again on the third day" [p.54].
In view of this, no surprise will be caused by
the statement on page 2 that Open Bible Trust publications
"must be in accordance with its evangelical, fundamental and
dispensational basis". Beyond this, writers may express their own
understanding "provided that the aim is so doing is to further the
object of the Open Bible Trust". Its doctrinal basis is available as
http://www.obt.org.uk, a commendable insertion for readers'
information that is worthy of imitation.
Peter Murcott, The British Church Newspaper,
No. 174, December 4, 2009.
4-Star Review :
Christian Marketplace
Commentaries help us to understand the
Scriptures and, as such, are profitable. (I like to study a passage
or book of the Bible inductively, to reach my own conclusions as to
what it means, before referring to commentaries for confirmation or
correction). This is a commentary on Paul’s letter to the
Philippians and contains much useful material. In their handling of
chapter 3 verses 18 and 19, however, I cannot agree with the
authors’ suggestion that the “enemies of the cross of Christ” spoken
of are Christians or that “destruction” merely means to lose one’s
reward. Although the authors rightly insist that it does matter how
a Christian lives, their view, that all Christians who live like
non-Christians will forfeit their reward in heaven greatly weakens
this insistence. This view could easily lead to the conclusion that
holiness is an optional extra rather than something essential as
Hebrews 12:14 (‘without holiness no-one will see the Lord’) teaches.
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