Futurists have predicted the demise of the book and the coming dominance of electronic media. This trend may ho d true for much of the culture, but preachers are likely to guard their libraries with zeal and ho d on to the book long after others may have abandoned paper documents for the electronic screen.

Preachers are bookish people. As those who bear responsibility to preach and teach the Word of God, preachers enter into a conversation with scholars, theologians, and other preachers who have wrestled with the texts and sought to bring order and richness to the task of preaching.

Even as some are predicting the demise of the book, America's publishers are releasing a torrent of new titles each year. An interesting demographic pattern has been revealed in recent years. More books are being sold and bought than at any other time in American history. As a matter of fact, the per capita rate of book buying has been increasing over the last quarter century. Nevertheless, it appears that book buying is by no means evenly distributed throughout the society. Many persons, indeed, most of the population, buy very few books over the course of a decade. Others, on the other hand, are buying a disproportionate number of titles each year. The growth in sales of books is dependent upon a small slice of the population who are fervent (if not fanatical) about the book and its value.

No doubt, preachers are a predominating part of that very thin slice of the population. With that in mind, Christian publishing houses are releasing many new titles each year, with hopes that preachers and Christian scholars will remain committed to the book.

Biblical Studies

As is usually the case, a large number of titles in biblical studies were released in previous months. Notable among these are some major commentaries as well as specialized works in various dimensions of the field.

Among the commentaries, two additions to "The New International Greek Testament Commentary" are significant. Anthony C. Thiselton has produced The First Epistle to the Corinthians (Eerdmans). Thiselton, Professor of Christian Theology and head of the Department of Theology at the University of Nottingham in England also serves as Canon Theologian of Leicester Cathedral. He is well known to biblical scholars for his work in hermeneutics, and he now applies that expertise in this commentary. G.K. Beale has released a massive commentary, The Book of Revelation (Eerdmans). Beale is well known as an evangelical biblical scholar teaching at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary in Massachusetts. His commentary provides a thorough analysis of the issues involved in interpreting the last book of the canon, as well as a very helpful overview of the history of its interpretation.

Preachers have often avoided preaching through some of the more difficult literature in the Old Testament. Solid assistance comes in the publication of Song of Songs by Tremper Longman III in the "New International Commentary on the Old Testament" series (Eerdmans). Longman, who teaches at Westmont College in California, here offers a very helpful and solid commentary on the Song of Songs. Longman places the Song of Songs in its canonical text and also draws rich material from the context of the ancient near east. His commentary will be indispensable to those preaching on this often neglected book.