Believers Church Bible Commentary SeriesThe Believers Church Bible Commentary Series is a cooperative project of Brethren in Christ Church, Brethren Church, Church of the Brethren, Mennonite Brethren Church, and Mennonite Church.
Read the 2008 edition of the BCBC Editors' Newsletter |
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BCBC celebrates the 20th volume in 20 years. 
"This readable commentary series is for all who seek more fully to understand the original message of Scripture and its meaning for today—Sunday school teachers, members of Bible study groups, students, pastors, and other seekers." --From the Series Foreword
History and Background
The Believers Church Bible Commentary Series is published for all who seek more fully to understand the original message of Scripture and its meaning for today. The series is based on the conviction that God is still speaking to all who will listen, and that the Holy Spirit makes the Word a living and authoritative guide for all who want to know and do God’s will.
Each volume illuminates the Scriptures; provides historical and cultural background; shares necessary theological, sociological, and ethical meanings; and, in general, makes "the rough places plain." Critical issues are not avoided, but neither are they moved into the foreground as debates among scholars. The series aids in the interpretive process, but it does not attempt to supersede the authority of the Word and Spirit as discerned in the gathered church.
Overall Outline
The commentaries are organized into sections according to the major divisions of the text. Each section comprises five parts: (1) an introductory preview, (2) a summary outline of the section, (3) explanatory notes, (4) the text in its biblical context, and (5) the text in the life of the church.
The two focused articles at the end of each chapter, "The Text in Biblical Context" and "The Text in the Life of the Church," are unique features of this series. Especially in the latter, believers church perspectives come through clearly. These include believers baptism, commitment to the Rule of Christ (Matthew 18:15-20) as part of the meaning of church membership, belief in the power of love in all relationships, and a willingness to follow the way of the cross of Christ.
There are comprehensive outlines, biographical aids, helpful charts, indexes, maps, glossaries, and essays on points that need further development.
Editorial Council and Series Editors
The writers have done the basic work for each commentary, but not operating alone, since "no . . . Scripture is a matter of one’s own interpretation" (2 Pet. 1:20; cf. 1 Cor. 14:29). They have consulted with select counselors during the writing process, worked with the editors for the series, and received feedback from another biblical scholar.
In addition, the Editorial Council, representing six believers church denominations, reads the manuscripts carefully, gives churchly responses, and makes suggestions for changes. The writer considers all this counsel and processes it into the manuscript, which the Editorial Council finally approves for publication. Thus these commentaries combine the individual writers’ own good work and the church’s voice.
The Uniqueness of This Series
These commentaries, informed by recent scholarship, are not overburdened with detail. They are written for lay leaders, teachers, pastors, college and seminary students, and all those searching the Bible for truth and life.
The writers place each section of Scripture in the perspective of the whole Bible and bring it into conversation with the past and present experience of God's people in the world. The format is unique: Preview, Outline, Explanatory Notes, Text in Biblical Context, and Text in the Life of the Church—thus providing a fine balance of exegesis, theological reflection, and life appropriation.
The BCBC series represents the Anabaptist believers church tradition as a key perspective for interpretation.
List of Volumes in the Series
Genesis by Eugene F. Roop
Exodus by Waldemar Janzen
Judges by Terry L. Brensinger
Ruth, Jonah, Esther by Eugene F. Roop
Psalms by James H. Waltner
Proverbs by John W. Miller
Jeremiah by Elmer A. Martens
Ezekiel by Millard C. Lind see online study guide
Daniel by Paul M. Lederach
Hosea, Amos by Allen R. Guenther
Matthew by Richard B. Gardner
Mark by Timothy J. Geddert
Acts by Chalmer E. Faw
Romans by John E. Toews
2 Corinthians by V. George Shillington
Ephesians by Thomas R. Yoder Neufeld
Colossians, Philemon by Ernest D. Martin
1 and 2 Thessalonians by Jacob W. Elias
1-2 Peter, Jude by Erland Waltner and J. Daryl Charles
Revelation by John R. Yeatts
Price: $24.99 - 29.99; in Canada $31.29 - 37.49
Believers Church Bible Commentary Series Set of 20
Price: $540.00 U.S.; $687.29 Canada
Most of volumes of the BCBC series are available on CD-Rom from Logos software. Click here for more information.
Future Volumes