Digital Logos Edition
What does the Bible say about the present? And what does the present say about the future? In these volumes, A. C. Gaebelein—whom history remembers as a leading figure of dispensationalist thought and one of the most influential biblical theologians of the early twentieth century—weighs in on the Bible’s relevance to world events. The Selected Works of A. C. Gaebelein includes commentaries on Exodus, Daniel, Ezekiel, Joel, Mark, Acts, Ephesians, and Revelation, as well as books on biblical interpretation, application, and prophecy. The books and commentaries in this collection reinforce the truth of Scripture and the veracity of its prophecy amid a culture prone to doubt and skepticism—worthy goals for the church in any age.
What’s more, the Logos Digital Library gives you the tools to read A. C. Gaebelein like never before. The Scripture references in his commentaries are linked to your favorite Bible translations, and important names, places, and theological concepts are linked to Bible dictionaries, encyclopedias, and the numerous other resources in your Libronix Digital Library. That means you can read the Selected Works of A. C. Gaebelein with the rest of your books only a click away! Gaebelein’s easy-to-understand approach to the Bible, combined with the power of the Logos Digital Library, makes the Selected Works of A. C. Gaebelein ideal for small group Bible studies, classroom settings, and personal study.
It is my privilege to commend to the people of God… the volumes of Mr. A. C. Gaebelein
—C. I. Scofield
[These are] works of wide research…
—Westminster
His writings will never lose their timeliness—a valuable addition to any library.
—United Evangelical Action
The book of Acts reveals the transition from Judaism to Christianity, from the prominence of the law to the expanse of grace. For Gaebelein, Acts represents the earliest moments whereby grace becomes the normative way by which we know God. Pay attention to Acts, he says, to understand grace.
Gaebelein approaches the book of Acts apart from what Ford C. Ottman calls “the yoke of traditional interpretation” and removed from “the feverish discontent with the supernatural.” In particular, Gaebelein has little tolerance for the higher critics, whose attempts to domesticate the work of the Spirit obfuscate the primary purpose of the book. Gaebelein’s approach brings the work of the Spirit to the fore—especially the Spirit’s role of fulfilling the promises of Jesus. He also explains the ongoing tensions between Jewish expressions of Christianity and a wholesale Gentile embrace of the Gospel. The book of Acts, says Gaebelein, exhorts us toward greater faithfulness and bolder preaching, because the message of the Holy Spirit’s comfort is needed in all times and places.
The Acts of the Apostles: An Exposition also includes an introduction, which includes Gaebelein’s outline of the book and a brief discussion about authorship and historicity.
The book of Exodus may well be called Israel’s birthday book. Israel entered Egypt as a family and left Egypt as a nation, brought forth by the power of God. Unlike Genesis—in which history progresses through a series of generations and genealogies—the book of Exodus progresses through a trajectory of deliverances: from Egypt through the Red Sea, from the shackles of slavery to a land of promise, from Israel’s groans to future glory.
In this way, Exodus teaches us about the nature of deliverance and redemption—and that places Exodus squarely within the New Testament narrative of grace. It’s also noteworthy that Jesus referred to the Book of Moses—in which Exodus is figured prominently—no less than twenty-five times, in addition to the numerous other allusions scattered throughout the New Testament. Take note of Exodus, says Gaebelein, to understand the nature of deliverance. The Book of Exodus: A Complete Analysis of Exodus with Annotations serves as an excellent introduction to this important story of redemption.
The Bible, as a book of prophecy, says something about both the present and the future—it predicts universal apostasy, mired social and political conditions, increased unrighteousness, wars and rumors of wars. Gabelein’s keen eye for biblical prophecy and full awareness of current social and political strife make him well-positioned to comment on current events in the light of the Bible. He argues that the study of the end times strengthens the conviction of Christ’s imminent return, and inspires the church to persevere in spite of ominous world events. Current Events in the Light of the Bible covers political events, religious apostasy, modern delusions, social conditions, Zionism, and new discoveries; and helpfully connects biblical prophecy to the contemporary world.
Every religion has a sacred book. So what makes the Bible different?
The Bible alone, says Gaebelein, contains predictions, making it markedly different from the sacred books belonging to other religions, which make no such prophetic claims. Gaebelein finds it condemnable that the church neglects and even denies prophecy, and does little to encourage prophetic understanding. Gaebelein shows how divine revelation intersects with history in the form of prophecy—both predicted and fulfilled—and history bears testimony to the work of God. To deny the authenticity of prophecy effectively denies the tenability of its fulfillment, diminishing the importance of fulfilled prophecy—the return to Israel, the promised Messiah, the spread of the church, the second coming of Christ. Fulfilled Prophecy: A Potent Argument for the Inspiration of the Bible attempts to revisit central biblical prophecies and discern their fulfillment in the present era.
The epistle to the Ephesians holds a place of particular prominence in the New Testament. The revelation given in this epistle captures the essence of God’s will for the church and for the world. Gaebelein does not intend for us to discard the rest of Scripture; rather, he encourages us to read the rest of Scripture through the lens of Ephesians.
The first three chapters of Ephesians contain profound revelation—God’s comprehensive work for creating, redeeming, and manifesting himself in the life of the church. Gaebelein believes the church tends to read these chapters too quickly and dwell on large overarching themes without concentrating on the minutia. God’s Masterpiece: An Analytical Exposition of Ephesians 1–3 curbs this tendency. Gaebelein argues that “a telescopic sweep of this epistle is insufficient. The microscopic examination brings out its wonders.” This verse-by-verse exposition in non-technical language on the first three chapters of Ephesians combines microscopic scriptural exposition with a doxological response, which helps illuminate the whole.
Gaebelein calls the Gospel of Mark “the neglected Gospel.” The Gospel of Mark: A Complete Analysis of the Gospel of Mark, with Annotation reintroduces us to the themes of service and the nature of Christ as a servant which dominate the Gospel of Mark. Gaebelein also includes an outline of the entire Gospel, and he notes points of comparison and contrast with the other synoptic Gospels. This brief commentary on each section of the Gospel of Mark is written in accessible and non-technical language, making it ideal for personal or group Bible study.
Prophecy, grandly optimistic in its ultimate view, presents anything but a flattering picture at the end of the age. Yet the Church devotes so little time to its understanding. What can account for the neglect of prophecy?
Gaebelein argues that the Church avoids prophecy because of the undeniable difficulties—bewildering phrases and formulas—which confront those who begin to study it. The Harmony of the Prophetic Word is designed to assist those wading through biblical prophecy for the first time. Gaebelein dissects the great prophetic epochs, key symbols, and noteworthy historical events. Yet his project in this book should not substitute for personal study of scripture, but instead help assemble and analyze God’s revelation. The effect of Gaebelein’s prophetic synthesis emphasizes that God alone is the author of prophetic testimony. The Harmony of the Prophetic Word includes an introduction by C. I. Scofield.
Prophecy is history rewritten. The history of nations, the times of the Gentiles, the present age in which we live, its course and end, the coming glories in a future age—all this and much more God has revealed. But the center of all prophecy is Jesus Christ—his sufferings and glory, his first and second coming.
The book of Daniel, perhaps more than any other, deals with great prophecies—some unfulfilled to this day. In The Prophet Daniel, Gaebelein outlines the trajectory of world history through the prophecy in the book of Daniel. He shows how the past fulfillment of prophecy in Daniel provides added certainty of future fulfillment.
The definition of Ezekiel’s name—“strengthened by God”—could also serve as the moniker which describes his prophetic ministry. Ezekiel begins with a great vision near a river, and tells the story of a man filled with energy and vigor, along with a deep sense of human responsibility. His prophecy contains severe condemnations, and his visions are detailed enough to describe a difficult reality and a saving God. When catastrophe fell upon the remnant in exile, Ezekiel brought promises of hope and restoration. The Prophet Ezekiel: An Analytical Exposition helps us understand the significance of his prophecy and the importance of his calling.
The book of Joel mentions the phrase “the day of the Lord” five times, but what does this phrase mean? And what does the day of the Lord have to do with the present? Gaebelein expresses bewilderment that God’s people in the present age, standing at the threshold of the fulfillment of many of the predictions in Joel, neglect intentional study of this important prophecy.
The book of Joel tells us little about the prophet, but much about the dire situation of Israel. Swarming locusts, severe drought, and invading armies threaten to undermine Israel’s existence, and they cast doubt on God’s promises. But in the end, God has mercy, and he promises to pour out his Spirit on the people—a telling prophecy, both then and now, given the trials.
This exposition of Joel divides the book into manageable sections and analyzes each one, with a keen eye toward prophecy and prophetic fulfillment. The Prophet Joel: An Exposition also contains an introduction by C. I. Scofield.
Most interpretations of Revelation are chiefly occupied with symbols of the Book—mysteries, judgments, promised consummation—and neglect to sufficiently emphasize the person of Jesus Christ. If Jesus so prominently stands at the book’s center, what makes the symbolism so appealing and distracting?
Gaebelein firmly orients the symbolism, the prophecy, and the apocalyptic predictions in the book of Revelation around the person of Jesus Christ. The Revelation: An Analysis and Exposition of the Last Book of the Bible also contains appendices on connections between Revelation and Daniel, on the symbolic names in Revelation, and on helpful books on prophecy in general and the book of Revelation in particular.
God’s promises that wars would cease took on new relevance as Gaebelein wrote Studies in Prophecy—during the Great War. He penned this monograph as a biblical response to World War I and the crisis of faith it inspired. Studies in Prophecy proves the veracity of the Bible and the tenability of belief in God in the middle of devastation and loss. Fittingly, Gaebelein begins with Ecclesiastes and assures his readers that the future will bring hope, change, and an exit from the present conflict. He shows that every age is ordained by God—including the present age. Gaebelein urges his readers to find hope in the confidence that God will be present in the age to come.
The book of Joshua chronicles the Israelite settlement of the Promised Land—the victories and defeats, falling walls, the division of the land. What do the people, places, and events in Joshua tell us about God? Gaebelein devotes significant attention to these details, and shows how an understanding of the minor plots in the story of Joshua helps us understand the story as a whole. The succinct exposition of the book of Joshua in Types in Joshua tells the story of the Israelites, and—more importantly—tells the story of God.
Arno Clemens Gaebelein was born in 1861 in Germany, and immigrated to the United States in 1879. He was converted at an early age, and became ordained in the Methodist church in 1886.
Gaebelein was a prolific writer. He wrote numerous books and tracts and served as editor of Our Hope, a Bible study magazine, for fifty-two years. He also co-edited the Scofield Reference Bible. Gaebelein devoted nearly ten years of his life to writing The Annotated Bible, a 3,000-page commentary on Scripture, also available from Logos. He also lectured frequently at Dallas Theological Seminary.
Gaebelein died in 1945.
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Mark D. Anderson
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Thomas M. Campbell
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