Would someone well acquainted with these books please help? These are the Wiersbe Bible Commentary (2 vol., 2007) and the Wiersbe Study Bible (2019).
I would like to purchase one or the other because I like Weirsbe's sermons, but I can't get my hands on either book in any bookstore in order to see the contents and know which one to buy. I can see bits of them online. I'm looking for answers such as "If you get the commentary, you don't need the study bible, as the study bible adds little to what the commentary offers" or "The study bible came out years later and is even better than the commentary, so just get the study bible" or "Sorry, but the two are very different and very good, so you should get both!" etc.
(I have not read the Be series. I have listened to many of Wiersbe's sermons.)
Thanks for any help with this.
Wiersbe Study Bible vs Wiersbe Bible Commentary
Discussion in 'Books & Publications Forum' started by Jim Ryan, Mar 6, 2024.
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Silverhair Well-Known Member
If you are looking for more depth on the verses in question then the Commentary is the way to go. -
Wiersbe on Calvinism | A Twisted Crown of Thorns ®
"....when it comes to dealing with the doctrine of God’s Unconditional election:
This miracle [the new birth] all began with God: we were chosen by the Father (Eph. 1:3-4). This took place in the deep counsels of eternity, and we knew nothing about it until it was revealed to us in the Word of God. This election was not based on anything we had done, because we were not even on the scene. Nor was it based on anything God saw that we would be or do. God’s election was based wholly on His grace and love. We cannot explain it (Rom. 11:33-36), but we can rejoice in it.
‘Foreknowledge’ does not suggest that God merely knew ahead of time that we would believe, and therefore He chose us. This would raise the question.’Who or what made us decide for Christ?’ and would take our salvation completely out of God’s hands. In the Bible, ‘to foreknow’ means ‘to set on’s love upon a person pr persons in a personal way.’
It is used this way in Amos 3:2: ‘You only have I known of all the families of the earth.’ God set His electing love on the nation of Israel. Other verses that use ‘know’ in this special sense are 1 Corinthians 8:3, John 10:14, 27; Matthew 7:23; and Psalm 1:6.
But the plan of salvation includes more than the Father’s electing love; it also includes the work of the Spirit in convicting the sinner and bringing him to faith in Christ. The best commentary on this is 2 Thessalonians 2:13-14. Also, the Son of God had to die on the cross for our sins, or there could be no salvation. We have been chosen by the Father, purchased by the Son, and set apart by the Spirit. It takes all three if there is to be a true experience of salvation." -
Silverhair Well-Known Member
As far as God the Father is concerned, I was saved when He chose me in Christ before the foundation of the world. As far as the Son is concerned, I was saved when He died for me on the cross. But as far as the Spirit is concerned, I was saved one night in May 1945 when I heard the Gospel and received Christ. Then it all came together, but it took all three Persons of the Godhead to bring me to salvation. If we separate these ministries, we will either deny divine sovereignty or human responsibility; and that would lead to heresy. Wiersbe Bible Commentary -
Are you regretting that you vetted him? That he doesn't fit with your deranged obsession against God's Sovereign Grace? -
Silverhair Well-Known Member
Actually for a calvinist to present scriptural election this way would require them to deny their own theology. But you can go on thinking that way all you want.
God is omniscient so He knew all that would freely trust in His son, Christ's death covered the sins of the whole world so that would include the sins of those that would eventually freely trust in Him. But this is where the calvinist view goes of the rails. The Holy Spirit saves those that freely trust in the Son as opposed to the calvinsit idea that one is saved then give faith.
So sorry there KY, Wiersbe does not support your calvinist view. He presents the biblical view of man exercising his God given free will so as to be saved. Once again context is your downfall. You just had to keep reading to see that.
"Peter does not deny man’s part in God’s plan to save sinners. In 1Pe_1:23 he emphasizes the fact that the Gospel was preached to these people, and that they heard it and believed" Wiersbe
Note his words "I was saved one night in May 1945 when I heard the Gospel and received Christ." Wiersbe
Biblical view: "In Him, you also, after listening to the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation—having also believed, you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise," Eph 1:13
FYI Because I have an obsession with the truth of scripture I would logically be opposed to the errant teachings of calvinism. So that is what I point out so people will not be misled. -
The Anti-Calvinist Rant
"Confronting the errors and dangers of Calvinism - a theology that flips the Bible on its head and does great harm to Gospel Truth, God's character, Jesus's sacrifice, and our faith.
List of Calvinist Preachers, Authors, Theologians, Websites, etc.
...Paul Washer
Trevin Wax
James White
George Whitefield
Don Whitney
Warren Wiersbe
Jen Wilkin
Jared C. Wilson..."
List of Calvinist Preachers, Authors, Theologians, Websites, etc. (anticalvinistrant.blogspot.com)
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Silverhair Well-Known Member
But whether he is a calvinist or not he just confirmed what the bible says.
"Peter does not deny man’s part in God’s plan to save sinners. In 1Pe_1:23 he emphasizes the fact that the Gospel was preached to these people, and that they heard it and believed" Wiersbe
Biblical view: "In Him, you also, after listening to the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation—having also believed, you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise," Eph 1:13
It seems that a calvinist can not present the gospel as their theology requires
01:14 God is rich in mercy and he desires to save sinners but he can't just forgive it [sin] and pretend those things didn't exist because then he would be unjust and he's not. So his plan from eternity past was to send his Son in human flesh to be a representative for you, to take the punishment you deserve to take all of the righteous deeds that he did his entire life credit them to your account if you will repent and put your trust in his son He will forgive you because he makes you perfect in Christ.
Freewill plain and simple. But this is a presentation by Todd Friel of Wretched {a calvinist} so you see that even calvinists must preach the biblical truth of a persons free will ability to trust in Christ Jesus in order to present the Gospel message. -
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Silverhair Well-Known Member
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Silverhair Well-Known Member
The ones I see ranting on here, to use your words, are the calvinists. -
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Silverhair Well-Known Member
Have you reread your posts lately. You are the one that keeps making the accusations about my comments. Are you going to deny that historical underpinnings of calvinism.
You do not like the facts being brought out about the history and errors of calvinism so your rant and rave against what I post. -
Is a born again person justified? Owen believed that faith came before justification. So was he a Calvinist?
The thing I would ask you is this : If someone like Wiersbe is willing to say that no salvation is possible without the work of the Holy Spirit and the sovereign will of God, are you going to be so strict in your interpretation of Calvinism that such an answer is unacceptable. In that case, in order to be a good Calvinist, how far do you have to go? Do you have to say you can't really believe yourself? Is it really wrong in your mind to say that at such and such a time you received Christ and became a Christian? -
Silverhair Well-Known Member
Then logically and biblically faith in Christ Jesus has to come prior to being born of the Spirit.
But I doubt that you will accept this as it does not fit with your theology. You being a calvinist. -
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