D. A. Carson Collection

Basics for Believers: An Exposition of Philippians

Basics for Believers is for Christians taking their first steps of faith as well as experienced saints reexamining their spiritual foundations. Both will gain exceptional instruction and encouragement from this fresh look at the fundamental disciplines of the Christian life.

To ensure persistent progress in their journey of faith, Carson urges believers to:

• Put the gospel first in their relationships, prayer life, career goals, and personal choices.
• Take the right perspective on the cross and let it shape their outlook on suffering, witnessing, and persevering for the faith.
• Emulate Christian leaders who model compassion, faithfulness, confidence in Christ, and heavenly mindedness.
• Resolve never to give up the Christian walk but instead to pursue the same seven virtues Paul enjoins upon the Philippians.

This summons to “get back to the basics” lays a solid foundation for withstanding storms that beat upon the house of faith today.

Exegetical Fallacies, Second Edition

Serious exegesis of the Scriptures is one of the most worthwhile practices any Christian can undertake. But it is not without its dangers. In Exegetical Fallacies, Carson helps readers discern improper interpretation techniques, and explains sound grammatical, lexical, cultural, theological, and historical Bible study practices. With its accessible style and plain language, Exegetical Fallacies will be an edifying contribution to any Bible study.

This book. . . is a must for teachers, pastors, and serious Bible students. —Thomas Schreiner, Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society

The reader who does not confuse the Bible’s inerrancy with his own interpretations will receive valuable guidance from the book. Carson has furnished a pithy and practical manual of many of those mistake to which all of us who deal with the text in earnest fall prey. — Robert Yarborough, Fundamentalist Journal

…well written, easy to read, and thought-provoking. It is highly recommended to all who truly desire to handle accurately the world of truth (2 Tim. 2:15) —Jeff Guimont, Grace Theological Journal

"Written by an evangelical for evangelicals, this practical treatise is worthy of wider circulation among preachers of others persuasions. —Casimir Bernas Holy Trinity Abbey, Religious Studies Review

Showing the Spirit: A Theological Exposition of 1 Corinthians 12-14

In Showing the Spirit, Carson speaks to one of evangelism’s most troublesome issues: spiritual gifts. The book expounds the crucial passage, 1 Corinthians 12-14. Partisans on both sides of charismatic issues are challenged by the unbiased consideration of nuances in the Greek text found in 1 Corinthians.

Carson interacts with some other Christian doctrines, as well as with findings of linguists, social anthropologists, and historians. The concluding chapter integrates material from other portions of Scripture – especially the Book of Acts – so that the author’s conclusions reflect all of the biblical evidence. “We must even-handedly attempt to weigh all the relevant evidence,” Carson writes, “even while we insist that the authority of Scripture must prevail.”

An excellent book which could do much to bring together charismatics and noncharismatics in a common understanding and experience of the Spirit. —I. Howard Marshall, Expository Times

A Call to Spiritual Reformation: Priorities from Paul and His Prayers

God doesn't demand hectic church programs and frenetic schedules. God only wants his people to know him more intimately. The apostle Paul found that spiritual closeness in his own fellowship with the Father. A Call to Spiritual Reformation investigates the Epistles to see what lessons Paul taught in his "school of prayer." Christians today can still achieve the confidence Paul enjoyed by following his life-shaping principles and searching for a deeper devotional experience.

[This book] provides a . . . pointed argument that the greatest need for churches today is not education, evangelism, or programs, but a deeper knowledge of God. It contributes to filling that need by assisting those who read it to a fuller life of prayer. —Review and Expositor

The reader is guided, gently yet persuasively, towards a reformation in personal dealings with God. This excellent and timely book can be heartily commended. —The Banner of Truth

New Testament Commentary Survey, Fifth Edition

Note: The New Testament Commentary Survey, 6th ed. is available as part of the Baker New Testament Studies Collection (14 Vols.). Those who already own the fifth edition will receive the sixth edition as a free replacement.

All serious students of the Bible seek to know which resources are most valuable to add to their growing libraries. With an abundance of available tools, this is difficult to ascertain, and students often turn to trusted professors for advice. New Testament Commentary Survey provides such advice from one of the most highly respected evangelical New Testament scholars.

In this succinct yet thorough survey, Carson examines sets, one-volume commentaries, treatments of individual books, and New Testament introductions and theologies. He notes intended audience, levels of difficulty, and theological perspective. He records the publisher, price, and current publication status, identifies those texts he considers overpriced, and advises readers when to delay purchase for forthcoming works.

The book concludes with a useful "Best Buys" section where Carson indicates the most valuable works for each individual New Testament book.

Carson's work is most valuable and his perceptive remarks will serve pastors and students well. —David S. Dockery, Review and Expositor

I recommend this bibliographic essay highly. Readers of differing theological orientation will still find this a helpful list to put into the hands of students and pastors. —Edgar Krentz, Currents in Theology and Mission

The multiplication of commentaries and monographs on individual books of the New Testament, and the difficulty of discerning the wheat from the chaff, makes this book a valuable resource indeed--a must read for the student or pastor who is building his or her library. Don Carson's expert guidance will save the beginner from many bad purchases. . . . Carson certainly provides all one needs to arrive at a 'short list' of necessary resources and to be acquainted with the potential pitfalls and strengths of most books that a student might encounter in the course of researching an exegetical paper. This book is highly recommended. —David A. deSilva, Ashland Theological Journal

Numerous students, ministers--and, I suspect, theological teachers--will have used previous editions of this invaluable little book. . . . As a reference tool, Carson's book is a gold mine of informed judgment. It is a great strength of the book that Carson does not place value on a book because it confirms his theological position but because it helps the careful and critical reader better understand the biblical text. Yet Carson is prepared to indicate clearly where an author's presuppositions or methods influence his or her approach to the text in a negative way. In fact, to read through this book is to get a concise introduction to trends and key players in contemporary NT studies. . . . If you have any intention of building up a personal library on the New Testament that is full of tools which are effective in aiding you to understand the meaning of the biblical text, read Carson before you spend your money. You may not always agree with his comments but you will be helped to make more informed choices. —Themelios

[An] eminently useful survey. . . . The author has developed a running narrative approach which is refreshing and much more readable than the traditional bibliographic method. . . . This work is highly recommended for both its informative value and the unique accomplishment for a bibliography, it is interesting and entertaining to read. —Dennis M. Swanson, Master's Seminary Journal

This is the most useful survey of New Testament commentaries currently available. —John F. Brug, Wisconsin Lutheran Quarterly

Preachers, seminary students, and lesson writers who are still using commentaries from the 1950s and 1960s need to throw most of those relics out! Carson's book is just the tool you need to know which, why, and what to replace them with. —Christian Standard