WHY I RECOMMEND THESE BOOKS: When I began this fundamental review series, I wanted to highlight core resources that were written for the plowman. McGee’s 5-volume set meets that need while also providing sufficient depth to tackle the weightiest matters. Read on!
McGee’s multivolume set is based on his radio transcripts but “edited for written form.” McGee’s folksy style shines through and runs comfortably throughout.
I would have it no other way.
His “Thru the Bible” radio series can be heard on CSN Radio here. Also available are his MP3 downloads from his website.
A Practical, Down-to-Earth Resource for Every Believer
Understand this is no technical treatise. McGee emphasizes this in all the forwards, where he says these volumes are not to be construed as commentaries or scholarly — and potentially, boring — works. In fact, he says they’re based on a “popular” interpretation.
Volume I: Genesis through Deuteronomy – 613 pages
Volume II: Joshua through Psalms – 887 pages
Volume III: Proverbs through Malachi – 1031 pages
Volume IV: Matthew through Romans – 759 pages
Volume V: I Corinthians through Revelation – 1080 pages
Summing up 4370 pages in under a 1000 word article, while also showing the value of brevity and clarity, shall be no small feat. So here it goes.
Big Questions, Simple Answers — Tackling Tough Passages with Clarity
My most recent exploration into his volumes resulted from a discussion I had with a brother in Christ, on the topic of, specifically, “Can a man lose his salvation?”
The mere mention of this question brings to mind Hebrews 6, so that’s where I consulted McGee’s interpretation.
First, let me say that interpretations on Hebrews 6 come in no small variety, and it goes almost without saying that this is a weighty matter, indeed. Doctrine hinges on its interpretation and can introduce complexity at numerous points, so when I read McGee’s precious paragraphs I welcomed his approachable style.
For you see, where I was expecting an open-and-closed case I instead witnessed a side of J Vernon I hadn’t come to know through radio or his other writings.
He begins, “This chapter, by all odds, contains the most difficult passage in the Bible for an interpreter to handle, regardless of his theological position.”
McGee then goes on to talk about other interpreters’ opinions and centers for a while on different potential groups to which this could be applied, depending on which word in the passage you emphasize.
Yep, we’re getting in fairly deep. I can appreciate the panoramic viewpoint discussion J Vernon is showing and it’s all because this is one of the greatest interpretation challenges EVER. How DOES one interpret such convincing Scripture that somehow provides wiggle room in one area while nailing down — and thoroughly condemning — the sinning believer in the next!?
Let me list some of the giants J Vernon McGee mentions in considering different viewpoints: Dr. R. W. Dale, Dr. G. Campbell Morgan (who, according to McGee, completely bypassed its interpretation in his book on Hebrews), Matthew Henry, F. W. Grant, J. N. Darby and C. I Scofield (yes, THAT Scofield).
That McGee finally settles on the unique viewpoint of a Baptist pastor from Victoria, British Columbia, which he found in an article in Bibliotheca Sacra, a publication of the Dallas Theological Seminary, is most rewarding as it considers the entirety of the Hebrews passage. It’s beautiful.
Italics and brackets all belong to McGee: “So the writer of Hebrews is talking about the fruit of salvation, not about the root of salvation. Notice verse 9 again: ‘But, beloved, we are persuaded better things of you, and things that accompany salvation [he hasn’t been discussing salvation but the things that accompany salvation], though we thus speak.'”
Following this conclusion are over three pages of background information supporting and thoroughly discussing Scriptural passages on fruit-verses-root in the lives of apostles and others. Along with contemplation of Christ’s perfect, finished sacrifice in satisfying God’s Law.
While failure and sin are a part of life which cannot be completely avoided, I found great inspiration in how McGee handled this exposition.
I would have it no other way.
Related Books on Finding Comfort in Scripture:
Finding Beautiful Comfort in Scripture – Spurgeon’s Psalms – Treasury of David, by Charles Spurgeon
This review was part of my 9 Lifelong Bible Companions Series. See related recommendations.
Rabbit hole: The BEST interpretation of Hebrews 6 I HAVE EVER HEARD, is from a kindly evangelist named Angel Martinez. His video HERE approaches the discussion from a slightly different angle but nevertheless is in complete agreement with J Vernon McGee’s viewpoint.
Thru the Bible (5 volume set) by J Vernon McGee