Luke: An Introduction & Resources

The Introduction

I finished up The Gospel of Mark with my stepkids. Now I have little bitty kids.

This started out as a mere outline for Luke's Gospel. But because of the youth of my kids (pre-kindergarten whenw e started), I wanted to fold in some catechism. So I integrated the Westminster Shorter Catechism into the readings of Luke.

Yet, in the provision of God, in our move to Kentucky, we switched from Non-Denominational to Reformed Baptist. My pastor heard about what I was doing and sincerely recommended Milk for Little Ones: An Introduction to the Baptist Catechism.

The fruit has been outstanding. And not to go all pragmatic, but my children, now elementary age of this writing, are now baptized. Praise be to God.

After finishing the catechism, I will start to integrate this, other catechism, and confessions into my devotional writing. I suspect I will move back into Luke after Milk for Little Ones.

The Resources

It Goes Without Say

Christian Standard Bible
Holmon Publishing. 2020.
Goodreads

Many times, many teachers, preachers, and small group leaders (myself included) will "cut straight to the chase" and engage the commentary instead of engaging the Word of God. Remember, the commentaries are not without error—they are the observations of the author.

Slow down, pray, read, chew and meditate.

Note: I use the Christian Standard Bible version on this blog default. Other translations, such as the ESV or the NIV1984, will be noted as such.

ESV Reformation Study Bible
Commentary & Edited by R.C. Sproul.
Ligonier Ministries. March 16, 2015.
Goodreads

I don't have much to say except this: if I was restricted to one Study Bible, this would be the one. Even if they never make one for the CSB. That is how much I love R.C. Sproul's notes--they will always refer back to historical creeds and confessions.

ESV Study Bible
Crossway. 2016.
Goodreads

Incredible resource.

If I had to pick just one format (hardcover vs. leather vs. paperback vs. digital), I use it way more in my Olive Tree Study Bible than anything else.

Hebrew Greek Key Word Study Bible.
New American Standard Bible 1977.
AMG International. 2008.
Goodreads

Spirit of the Reformation Study Bible.
NIV 1984.
Zondervan. 2003.
Goodreads

Life Application Study Bible.
NIV 2011.
Zondervan. 2011.
Goodreads

Commentaries & Books

Calvin's Commentaries.
by John Calvin.
Baker. 2009.
Olive Tree

Luke: An Expositional Commentary
R.C. Sproul.
Reformation Trust Publisher. 2020.
Goodreads

This is fresh off the presses. I have read Romans, John, Mark, Acts, 1 & 2 Peter, and Matthew from this set. I can easily recommend every single one of them.

If it ain't broke, don't fix it. Keep on truckin'.

The Gospel of Luke (NICNT).
Norval Geldenhuys.
Eerdmans. 1951.
Goodbooks

Do I know anything about this guy? Nope. A few Amazon reviewers thought he was super solid and a conservative theologian.

When I started up this series, I was hard up for good Luke resources. God's pure grace and timing, this fell into my lap. So I am going out with the horse I rode in on and keeping this as part of the stack.

Luke (NIVAC).
Darrell L. Bock.
Zondervan. 1996.

I swear to beans I have more books from this guy. But a quick look-see on Amazon shows that he is a one-lane kind-of-guy. He knows his Luke-Acts. (Now that I think about it, I am getting him mixed up with Daniel I. Block who wrote Ezekiel (NICOT).)

Luke (WBC).
John Nolland.
Thomas Nelson. 1989-93.
Goodreads

ESV Expository Commentary: Matthew–Luke (Volume, 8).
Dan Doriani (Author).
Iain M. Duguid, James M. Hamilton Jr., & Jay Sklar (Editors).
Crossway. September 7, 2021.
Goodreads

So, I got the first three volumes released back a few years ago. Now they are up to 11 volumes. Also, I just created a budget that allows me to purchase one commentary per paycheck. (Bivocational is the providence of God.)

The authors are top notch. This will be referenced for sure.