A Life that is Good: The Message of Proverbs for a World Wanting Wisdom
September 2018, Eerdmans
Somewhere out there is the “good life,” and we’re all scrambling to get it. Glenn Pemberton maintains in this book that we find the so-called good life not in good things but in living well—and the biblical book of Proverbs teaches us how to live that life. Though based on solid biblical scholarship, A Life That Is Good is not a textbook, commentary, or comprehensive study. It is instead a readable, practical guide to the wisdom found in the ancient book of Proverbs—wisdom on everyday living, speech, relationships, justice, money, and much more. Pastors and church groups in particular will love and benefit from this relevant guide regarding the message of Proverbs for today’s world.
The God Who Saves
August 2015, Leafwood Publishers & Abilene Christian University Press
This textbook dives into the Old Testament from the perspective of ancient Israel. With captivating and rich content, enhanced by maps, tables, biblical reading assignments, discussion topics, and further research prompts, the conversation within Pemberton's book is deepened in is ability to reach both academic and spiritual concepts. The God Who Saves also provides supporting materials available to instructors, such as multiple quiz and exam questions, course syllabi and schedules, and more.
Hurting with God: Learning to Lament with the Psalms
June 2012, Abilene Christian University Press
Giving new hope to the weary, this book brings together scholarship and personal experience to understand the necessity of lament language through the exploration of the Psalms. Many writers have considered the question, ''Why do bad things happen to good people?'' Pemberton, however, sets this philosophical issue aside to consider the practical. How do believers live out faith in prolonged seasons of pain and loss? How can we live with God when it hurts—and continues to hurt? Drawing from his own daily struggle with chronic pain and years of reading and teaching the Psalms, Pemberton leads readers on a quest to recover a lost ancient resource for people of faith—the language of lament. The book of Psalms brings out the reality and presence of lament in ancient days, indeed laments make up a third of the Psalter. Through the exploration and study of imagery and language, Pemberton revitalizes this forgotten tool to rejuvenate those who seek to connect with God in times of struggle.
After Lament: Psalms for Learning to Trust Again
February 2014, Abilene Christian University Press
Just as the Book of Psalms provides the words we need for lament (expressing our grief and hurt to God), the Psalter also provides the guidance and language we need for negotiating the time after lament (learning to trust and give thanks). Nearly half of the psalms in the Book of Psalms are ''laments,'' expressions of grief, trouble, and suffering combined with calls for God's help. Glenn Pemberton's earlier book, Hurting with God, describes how the lament psalms helped him express his heart honestly before God. In After Lament, he masterfully explores the next stage of the journey, pointing out that lament does not always lead to thanksgiving. What happens when God does not answer our lament? In this rich book, Pemberton draws our attention to psalms of trust. How do we learn to trust God ''after lament''? Even if God's answer to our lament was ''yes,'' we cannot return to our life before the storm. Scars remain. And should God's answer to our lament be something other than we wanted, we have an even greater faith challenge. How do we live with a God who said ''no'' in our moment of greatest need? Focusing on the psalms of trust, this book shows the Bible's answer to this question.
When God Calls
June 2007, 21st Century Christian
How did God call people to work in Bible times? Does God still call people today? If so, how? Glenn Pemberton offers expert insight into the biblical "call" narratives—the calls of Abraham, Moses, Samuel, Saul of Tarsus, and more—and challenges his readers to discover and faithfully respond to God's call today.
"Proverbs"
pp. 351-357 in The New Interpreter's Bible One Volume Bible Commentary
Edited by Beverly Gaventa and David Petersen
2010, Abingdon Press
A brief introduction followed by concise commentary, especially focused on the proverbs that are more difficult to understand.
"Proverbs, Persuasion, and Preaching"
pp. 65-104 in Preaching Character: Reclaiming Wisdom's Paradigmatic Imagination for Transformation
Edited by Dave Bland and David Fleer
2010, Abilene Christian University Press
An introduction to the book of Proverbs with close attention the distinct purposes of chapters 1-9 and 10-31, the nature of proverbs, and the challenges in preaching these short statements.
"Leviticus"
pp.167-184 in The Transforming Word: One Volume Commentary on the Bible
Edited by Mark Hamilton
2009, Abilene Christian University Press
A brief commentary on Leviticus with special emphasis on its enduring call for holiness in the service of the Lord.