SBS International

Dictionaries, Commentaries, Encyclopedias, Concordances:

• Evangelical Dictionary of Theology by Walter A. Elwell [Baker Academic; 2 edition - May 1, 2001]
  • A balanced overview of Evangelical Theology

• A Dictionary of Early Christian Beliefs by David W. Bercot [Hendrickson Publishers - July 1, 1998]
  • Contains over 700 theological, moral and historical topics which opens up the world of early Christianity.
• Dictionary of Judaism in the Biblical Period: 450 B.C.E. to 600 C.E. by Jacob Neusner and William Scott Green [Hendrickson Publishers - June 1, 1999]
  • Defines the concepts, terms and practices in early Judaism. A resource with indispensable information for the serious Bible student.
• Nelson's New Illustrated Bible Dictionary: Completely Revised and Updated Edition by Ronald F. Youngblood [Thomas Nelson - August 25, 1995]
  • A comprehensive dictionary with maps, photographs and pronunciation guides.
• Tyndale Bible Dictionary by Walter A. Elwell and Philip W., Ph.D. Comfort [Tyndale House Publishers - February 6, 2008]
  • The work of 139 scholars this dictionary includes cross-references, additional details along with maps, illustrations and photos. Laid out in BRI fashion it makes an easy reference guide.
• Vine's Expository Dictionary of the Old & New Testament Words by W. E. Vine [Nelson's Publlishing]
  
  • Help in understanding word, context and where they come from.
• Strong's Exhaustive Concordance of The Bible by James Strong [Hendrickson Publishers; Har/Cdr Up edition - June 30, 2007]
  • Need help finding a word or verse in scripture? What does the word mean in Greek or Hebrew? This concordance is one of the most used reference tools for the KJV.
• The Zondervan Pictorial Encyclopedia of the Bible, 5 Volumes by Merrill C. Tenney [Zondervan -1976]
  • A comprehensive encyclopedia featuring contributions for over 200 scholars.
• The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (4 Volume Set) by James Orr, John L. Nuelsen, and Edgar Young Mullins [Hendrickson Publishers; Rei (4 Volume Set) edition - January 1, 1994]
  • A classic reference dictionary that gives detailed information on Biblical and historical times.
• Evangelical Commentary on the Bible by Walter A. Elwell [Baker Pub Group - September 1989]
  • An easy to understand commentary that includes outlines and introductions to each book.

Miscellaneous:

• The Septuagint with Apocrypha: Greek and English by L. C. L., Sir Brenton [Hendrickson Publishers - April 1, 1986]
  • This is the Greek translation of the ancient Hebrew paralleled by the English translation.
• The Apostolic Fathers: Greek Texts and English Translations by Michael W. Holmes [Baker Academic - November 1, 2007]
  • Includes translation of various writers like Clement, Ignatius, and Polycarp. A great tool to begin a study of early church history.
• The Complete Sermons of Martin Luther in 7 Volumes [Baker Book House - 2000]
• Guide to Pronouncing Biblical Names by T. S. K. Scott-Craig [Morehouse Publishing - January 1, 1982]
  • A small book that is a tremendous help in knowing how to pronounce those unfamiliar names listed in the Bible.

Historical Background:

• A History of Christianity, Volume 1: Beginnings to 1500 by Kenneth S. Latourette [HarperOne; Revised edition - October 15, 1975]
  • Considered a classic this book gives an overview of church history up to the 1500's.

• A History of Christianity, Volume 2: Reformation to the Present by Kenneth S. Latourette [HarperOne; Revised edition - October 15, 1975]
  • Gives an overview of church history from the reformation to date of writing.
• Life in Biblical Israel by Philip J. King and Lawrence E. Stager [Westminster John Knox Press; 1 edition - January 16, 2002]
  • A recreation of life and thoughts of the people of Israel.
• A History of Israel by John Bright [Westminster John Knox Press; 4 edition - August 2000]
  • Not an easy read but packed with information.
• A History of Israel : From Conquest to Exile  by John J. Davis [Baker Book House - 1981]
• A History of Israel: From the Bronze Age Through the Jewish Wars by Walter C. Kaiser [Broadman & Holman Publishers - January 1998]
  • Good, clear information.
• The New Manners & Customs of Bible Times by Ralph Gower [Moody Publishers - October 12, 2005]
  • Maps, photographs, charts and diagrams help bring to life the cultural aspect of the Bible.
• Insights Into Bible Times and Customs by G. Christian Weiss [Back to the Bible - 1972]
• Josephus: The Essential Writings by Flavius Josephus and Paul L. Maier [Kregel Academic & Professional - July 12, 1990]
  • Maier translates and condenses Josephus into an easy to read format.
• The Stones Cry Out: What Archaeology Reveals About the Truth of the Bible by Randall Price [Harvest House Publishers - November 1, 1997]
  • Archaeological support for Biblical truth.
• The Origin of the Bible by F.F. Bruce, J.I. Packard, Philip Comfort and Carl F.H. Henry [Tyndale House - 2004]
  • Gives and overview of how the Bible began; it's inspiration, canonization and translation.

Apologetics:

• Evidence That Demands a Verdict, Volume 1: Historical Evidences for the Christian Faith by Josh McDowell
  • A defense for the claims of Christianity, the New Testament and the life of Christ
• Evidence That Demands a Verdict, Volume2 by Josh McDowell
  
  • This book addresses archaeological, historical and literary criticism.
• The New Evidence That Demands A Verdict Fully Updated To Answer The Questions Challenging Christians Today by Josh McDowell [Thomas Nelson; Rev Upd edition - November 23, 1999]
  • The updated version of his first 2 volumes. Be ready with a defense of the gospel and the issues of today.
• Kingdom of the Cults by Walter Martin and Ravi Zacharias [Bethany House; Rev Upd edition - October 1, 2003]
  • A reference work for major cults including Jehovah Witness, Mormonism, Unification, Hinduism, Buddhism, Islam, New Age, etc.

Difficult Passages, Imagery, Figure of Speech:

• Today's Handbook for Solving Bible Difficulties by David I. O'Brien [Bethany House Publishers - July 1990]
  • A helpful guide in solving difficult passages in the Bible
• New International Encyclopedia of Bible Difficulties by Jr., Gleason L. Archer [Zondervan - August 1, 2001]
  • A book that provides some insight to the Bible's most difficult questions.
• Hard Sayings of the Bible by Peter H. Davids, Frederick Fyvie Bruce, Manfred T. Brauch, and Walter C. Kaiser [InterVarsity Press; Subsequent edition - October 1996]
  • Historical, cultural, and linguistic background helps provide good references for those difficult verses.
• Dictionary of Biblical Imagery by Leland Ryken, Jim Wilhoit, Tremper Longman, and Colin Duriez [InterVarsity Press - November 1998]
  • Explores the images, symbols, motifs, and metaphors of the Bible
• Figures of Speech Used in the Bible: Explained and Illustrated by E. W. Bullinger [Baker Books - April 1, 2003]
  • A valuable reference tool in understanding and explaining the different figures of speech used in nearly 8.000 passages throughout the Bible.

Maps and Charts:

• Nelson's Complete Book of Bible Maps and Charts: All the Visual Bible Study Aids and Helps in One Key Resource-Fully Reproducible by Nelson Reference [Thomas Nelson - September 4, 1999]
  • A resource full of visual aids which can be reproduced for classroom use.
• Tyndale Handbook of Bible Charts and Maps by Neil S. Wilson and Linda Chaffee Taylor [Tyndale House Publishers; Pap/Com edition - October 1, 2001]
  • Reproducible for classroom use this book contains over 400 charts and 200 maps.
• The Moody Atlas of Bible Lands by Barry Beitzel [Moody Publishers - October 15, 1985]
  • Text and maps combine to make this atlas a great reference tool for your library.