Skip to content ↓

Free Stuff Fridays (Lifeway)

This weeks giveaway is sponsored by Lifeway.

A Modern Commentary Steeped in Ancient Tradition

The Christian Standard Commentary (CSC) aims to embody an “ancient-modern” approach to each volume in the series. This approach seeks to balance the strengths of the modern commentary tradition with the lesser known, and highly beneficial, dynamics of the ancient commentary tradition, bringing together the old and new to give a biblically derived and theologically rich commentary steeped in history.

The CSC affirms the traditional features of a modern commentary providing verse-by-verse exegesis, studying the texts historical-grammatical context, and exploring the unique literary dimensions of the biblical books. However, it is especially marked by a theological bent regarding biblical interpretation. This bent recognizes that the Bible is not only a historical or literary document but is fundamentally the Word of God. It recognizes Scripture as both historical and theological. God is the primary speaker in Scripture, and readers must deal with Him.

Theological interpretation affirms that although God enabled many authors to write the books of the Bible (Heb 1:1), He is the divine author, the subject matter of Scripture, and the One who gives the Old and New Testaments to the church, the people of God, to facilitate her growth for her good (2 Tim 3:16–17). Theological interpretation reads Scripture as God’s address to His people because God gives Scripture to His people to be heard and lived. Any other approach (whether historical, literary, or otherwise) that diminishes emphasis on theological interpretation stands deficient before the demands of the text.

Common to Christian biblical interpretation in the past two millennia (e.g., patristic, medieval, reformation, or modern) is a vision of Scripture in which Scripture is read with attention to divine activity, truth, and relevance to the people of God. The ancient commentary tradition interprets Scripture as a product of complex and rich divine action. God has stepped into history and given his Word to his people so that they may know, love, and glorify Him, and proclaim His praises to all creation, leading to spiritual and practical transformation.

The Christian Standard Commentary will encourage and equip God’s people to understand the text and live according to Scripture for Christ’s glory. The unique ancient-modern approach to the biblical text found in the CSC is a valuable resource for building up Christ’s church while encouraging God’s people to fulfill the Great Commission. As a commentary series written with Christ’s church in mind, the CSC is a valuable tool for the shelves of pastors, scholars, and any student of Scripture.

Enter for your chance to win a 7-volume set of the Christian Standard Commentary series including the following titles: Genesis 1-11, Isaiah 1-39, Habakkuk, Acts, 2 Corinthians, Galatians, 1 & 2 Peter and Jude. Entries are limited to North America.


  • Thriving Marriage

    Thriving Marriage

    I have often wondered about the best time to write a book about marriage. When a couple is young, there is so much about marriage they have not yet experienced. They can still impart wisdom and teach lessons, of course, but there is so much of marriage that remains unknown to them. Yet when a…

  • A La Carte Collection cover image

    A La Carte (July 11)

    A La Carte: Falling out of repentance / Tattoos as confession / The Epstein List and secret sins / Teaching generosity / Lessons from a former youth pastor / Bedbugs in the bowels of the city.

  • A La Carte Collection cover image

    A La Carte (July 10)

    A La Carte: Questions for a maturing marriage / The lesbian seagulls that weren’t / But mommy, why? / A time to be tired / The modern rise of Stoicism / and more.

  • The Stranger

    The Stranger: A Short Film For You

    Based on a true story and inspired by the truth that character comes before competence, “The Stranger” is an honest, light-hearted and meaningful picture of what it means to truly serve others.

  • A La Carte Collection cover image

    A La Carte (July 9)

    A La Carte: The singer who changed the course of my life / Stay on the line / Incompatible thick communities / Lulla-Bible? / The solution is not megachurch / Who were the Anabaptists? / and more.

  • A La Carte Collection cover image

    A La Carte (July 8)

    A La Carte: 15 ways to discern false teaching / The queering of history / The best part of my day / 6 kinds of hearers of God’s Word / Countering Muslim attacks on the Bible / Kindle deals / and more.