A Guide to Biblical Commentaries & Reference Works [Paperback]

I keep updating Evan's guide as new editions come out and it has been well worth it. In the front, he gives a review of commentary series-- their basic outlook, scope, and purpose. This includes rating them by the ability of the user (layman, scholar, theologically trained pastor). He then works book by book from Genesis to Revelation. At the beginning of each book of the Bible, he lists his top picks for that book and then he goes alphabetically by author through the rest of the commentaries. The reader does need to spend a little time getting familiar with what the symbols mean. I appreciate that he is able to combine both pastoral insight with scholarly acumen. He does not shy away from commentaries that are outside of his theologically tradition (a Reformed, conservative evangelical perspective). After each author, he gives a short annotation that may include his own thoughts along with brief reviews from other theological or biblical journals or books. Evans often includes the price of a commentary in his recommendation. That is very helpful when two commentaries are rated about the same but may be over $100 in price difference. He also includes pastoral usability as a category-- he notes if a commentary is so big and dense that an average pastor may find it of little value in weekly preparation, but a student or scholar will find it indispensable. Having used many other commentary guides (printed, blogs, and journals), I have found Evans to be my top pick. His descriptions are judicious and accurate, and he gives fair warnings about who would find a particular commentary helpful. However, the reader needs to know what his abilities in the original languages are and his theologically ability to sift through differing positions.Evans has saved me a lot of money in either not duplicating commentaries that are too alike or by avoiding buying a well written dud.

I have personally used Dr. Evans material for several editions now and was most pleasantly surprised to see it finally bound into book form.
I agree with the other four reviews--and I use this guide along with John Glynn's, "Commentary and Reference Survey," and of course the big two, Carson's & Longman's surveys.
Both Evans & Glynn's books give a MUCH broader range of religious studies and works than Carson & Longman. The annotations and descriptions are much more detailed and helpful to student, pastor, and layman.
I believe one should own all four volumes, but if you can only afford two, my vote goes to Evans & Glynn. They complement each other and together they cover the entire religious studies courses and curriculum. These books are most helpful to readers who wish to purchase the right volume for their needs.

When I graduated from Reformed Seminary back in the "dark ages" -- before the computer changed all of life... there was a similar document in print that the Seminary bookstore photocopied and sold to the "skulls full of mush" who were smart enough to find it. It was a great assistance to me in beginning my library, and ministry. This new Guide to Biblical Commentaries and Reference Works takes things to a whole new level. It is a wonderful resource on resources... and I will pass it along to lots of ministry friends! Get it!