Twelve Helpful Resources for
Studying the Bible
By Michael J. Vlach, Ph.D.
Bible Survey/Introduction
Bill T. Arnold and Bryan E. Beyer, Encountering the Old Testament: A Christian Survey (Grand Rapids: Baker Books, 1999).
Walter A. Elwell and Robert W. Yarbrough, Encountering the New Testament: A Historical and Theological Survey (Grand Rapids: Baker Books, 1998).
NOTE: These works give a basic introduction to each book of the Bible including author, date, purpose, themes, outlines, etc.
Bible Commentary
John F. Walvoord and Roy B. Zuck, eds., The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures by Dallas Seminary Faculty (New Testament) (Victor Books, 1983).
John F. Walvoord and Roy B. Zuck, eds., The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures by Dallas Seminary Faculty (Old Testament) (Victor Books, 1985).
NOTE: This two volume set offers a basic commentary on all the verses in the Bible. It is also easy to understand. The use of other good commentaries is also encouraged.
Bible Dictionary
Merrill F. Unger, The New Unger’s Bible Dictionary, R.K. Harrison, ed. (Chicago: Moody, 1988).
NOTE: This is a great resource that explains all the people, places, and things in the Bible.
Bible Customs/Culture
Ralph Gower, The New Manners and Customs of Bible Times (Chicago: Moody, 1987).
J.I. Packer, Merrill C. Tenney, William White, Jr., eds. The Bible Almanac: A comprehensive handbook of the people of the Bible and how they lived (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1980).
NOTE: When you run into cultural issues in the Bible, these resources will help you understand what they mean.
Bible Atlas
Barry J. Beitzel, The Moody Atlas of Bible Lands (Chicago: Moody, 1985).
NOTE: This work gives many charts and helpful explanations about the geography of Bible lands in Bible times.
Exhaustive Bible Concordance
Robert L. Thomas, ed. New American Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible (Nashville: Holman, 1977.
NOTE: This work shows you where each word in the Bible can be found.
Word Study
W.E. Vine and Merrill. F. Unger, eds., Vine’s Complete Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words: With Topical Index (Nashville: Nelson, 1996).
NOTE: This tool gives detailed but readable information concerning what each major word in the Bible means.
How to Study the Bible
Gordon D. Fee and Douglas Stuart, How to Read the Bible for All It’s Worth: A Guide to Understanding the Bible (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1993).
Roy B. Zuck, Basic Bible Interpretation: A Practical Guide to Discovering Biblical Truth (Victor Books, 1991).
NOTE: These two works will help you with the rules of Bible interpretation. Zuck focuses on broad principles of interpretation. Fee and Stuart are especially helpful with understanding the different genres in the Bible.
