Understanding Romans: An Examination
Available at Amazon.
Description: Romans reveals the foundational truths of Christianity, the doctrines of the Church, the body of Christ. While it does not contain everything Paul wrote about the Church, it is Paul’s great, systematic revelation of the faith. As such, it has received the most attention of Paul’s letters. Thousands of commentaries have been written on it. Why another? Many good commentaries exist on Romans, but the author hopes this work will enlighten and clarify Paul’s message and theology others have overlooked or misunderstood. Available in hardback and paperback. Latest version: 2nd printing.
Understanding 1-2 Thessalonians: An Examination
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Description: 1-2 Thessalonians were Paul’s first letters, written shortly after the Jerusalem Council, which settled the question of the gospel and salvation. The Pre-Tribulation Rapture and the advent of the man of the lawlessness, the Beast of Revelation, are the primary subjects of the letters. They were the first subjects Paul taught and wrote about to the Thessalonians after they believed the gospel. The letters also reveal Paul, with the rest of the apostles, thought the Lord would return soon—in their lifetime. These letters assure members of the Church that they will not undergo the Tribulation. Available in paperback. Latest version: 2nd printing.
Understanding the Jewish Writings: An Examination of Hebrews, James, 1-2 Peter, 1-3 John, Jude, and Revelation
Available at Amazon.
Description: Hebrews, James, 1-2 Peter, 1-3 John, Jude, and Revelation comprise the Jewish writings that follow the Gospels. Addressed to Jews who believed the gospel of the kingdom, that Jesus was the Christ, the Son of God, they continue the message of the Gospels and expand on God’s prophetic program revealed by the prophets of God’s wrath and earthy kingdom. Particular attention is given to Jesus’ warning that the one who endured to the end would be saved and overcoming, what He meant by the unforgivable sin of the blasphemy of the Holy Spirit, and difficult passages such as Hebrews 6. Apparent contradictions of these writings when compared to Paul’s letters are also resolved. Available in paperback and hardback. Latest version: 3rd printing.
The New Testament Study Bible (BDV)
Available at Amazon
Description: Perhaps no joy in this life is greater than having a sound understanding of God’s Word. The goal of the New Testament Study Bible (BDV) is to provide an accurate translation with helpful explanatory notes for readers to understand the text, especially difficult or confusing passages. Also included are insights into the Greek text, variant readings, cross references to Old Testament passages, introductions to the Gospels, Paul’s Letters, and the Jewish Letters, and a comment on reading the New Testament. The New Testament Study Bible (BDV) is a dynamic work, This is the second edition and includes the corrections and notes of earlier printings and adds new corrections and notes to give the reader the best possible text and notes to date. Available in paperback and hardback. Latest version: 2nd Edition, 2nd printing.
Paul: Apostle of Secrets
Available at Amazon.
Description: Paul is widely known as “the apostle of the Gentiles” and “the apostle of the grace of God.” Few, however, recognize him as “the apostle of secrets.” Yet this title is his most defining description. Paul: Apostle of Secrets, examines Paul’s life and teachings and how the risen Christ commissioned him as His “secret agent” to found the Church, the body of Christ, and reveal all its doctrines. Through Paul’s unique apostleship, God disclosed secrets He had kept hidden for thousands of years that every Christian should know and understand. Available in paperback and hardback. Latest version: 5th printing.
God’s Programs: An Introduction to Understanding the Bible
Available at Amazon.
Description: God’s Programs starts at the beginning, in Genesis, and takes the reader through the Scriptures. The Bible is not difficult to comprehend when one understands how it is organized, what is written, and to whom it is written. God has given the Scriptures to reveal Himself, His plan for mankind, to show why things are the way they are, and to reveal what lies ahead. Most of Christendom does not recognize God has created five great programs: Mankind, Israel, Church, Kingdom, and Eternity and that each program must be recognized and understood to reveal the meaning of God’s plan. When the Bible is allowed to speak for itself, the light of understanding will shine. The goal of this book is to open the Scriptures and guide the reader to see what God has revealed. Available in paperback and hardback. Latest version: 5th printing.
All I can say is wow and thank you and I am only in the first chapter. I have been learning a lot through your articles but I am so glad that I purchased your book also! I pray that the Lord will help me to teach people within my church to understand truths that we have never understood before now
Debbie,
Thank you. So glad you’re finding the book helpful. May the Lord bless your ministry.
I enjoyed looking at some of your studies I would like to read one of your books I don’t know which one to start with I have been following Keith blades studies and got involved with this millennium Bible institute with pastor Michael McDaniel but everything is with videos I like to try to read for myself. One thing that does puzzle me is about Romans 8:17 I believe about the creature being subject to vanity they look at it as it’s a body out there in space where the body of Christ is going to be fulfilling them positions in the heavenly places and we study to be educated in God’s word through Paul’s doctrine which they call sonship edification but I’m trying to get a understanding about those that don’t understand it can they still get a joint error inheritance if they don’t suffer for Christ or with Christ through the doctrine
Thank you Don, I just finished your book, God’s Programs, An Introduction to Understanding the Bible, from cover to cover. It is AMAZING…the only book needed besides a Bible!
The text, the body of the book, is thorough and complete just as your readers at Doctrine.Org have grown to love. The diagrams throughout are helpful; the Footnotes, the Appendices at the end, and the Summary of the Plan of God beginning on page 269 are like a bonus book.
This book is for new Believers, students, pastors and anybody else who would like to learn about the Bible, or thinks that they already understand the Bible. They will all be challenged if they are products of current Christendom where many people are incorrectly taught to mix Law and Grace. This book is for people who can be intellectually honest and put tradition and denomination aside as they are guided through the Bible from Genesis to Revelation.
You and the articles on your website, and now this fabulous book, will reach a lot of people and Save a lot of lives (pun intended.) You are a Blessing.
In Christ…..Jack S.
Meridian, Idaho
P.S. I ordered 11 copies and gave them to Brothers and Sisters from our Tuesday night Bible study and our Sunday afternoon home Church.
Jack,
Thank you for your most kind comments. I hope it will be a blessing to many. But it is only an introduction, hence the subtitle. My hope is that it will enable believers to dig into the Scriptures for themselves and be blessed and be a blessing to others. The Word of God cannot be exhausted! It is alive and powerful!
Such a great book to understand the Bible in a handy-sized, very readable book. I, too, have shared and will look for others with whom to share. Thank you!
Carole,
Thank you!
I wish I had found this book 40 years ago. I knew in my heart that the New Covenant was for Israel but almost everything I found said I was wrong. Finally I found Chafer’s systematic theology but wow the long compound complex sentence with big words was such a struggle. Now I have a nice, easy-to-read book that says it all. (I’m forever beginning the next page with the title of the book at the top of the page.) –maybe bold print or italicize type.– Also, I can’t find the version of the bible you used. ….never heard before that atonement is a (relatively) new word….very interesting. I’m finally straightened out re: sabbath days of the 7 feasts. I may have a question about that later but enough for now. I’m about half way done in one day. thank you. …..I wish your books sold at Goodwill. ha! I’d buy a bunch and send them to my family and friends…..I may do that anyway..even at retail…..
Thank you so much
Joe,
Thank you. I wish I had had this book 40 years ago too. Yes, Chafer’s sentence structure is grueling. I tried to write plainly and clearly. As for versions, I used the NASB and KJV. Hope you enjoy the second half.
Atonement is not a relatively “new word: look up the word “atonement” and you will find it written 80 times in these OT books: Exodus; Leviticus; Numbers; 2 Samuel; 1 & 2 Chronicles; and Nehemiah.
Here is a link to Strong’s definition: https://www.blueletterbible.org/lang/lexicon/lexicon.cfm?Strongs=H3722&t=KJV
Don,
Atonement was a word created in the 1500s. But it was not an accurate description for what occurred with the Levitical sacrifices. Atonement means “reconciliation,”—at one ment. What occurred with the sacrifices was “propitiation.”
I’m reading your book now. I’m delighted with it. I know I’ll will read it again and again because there is just so much information. I too understood that atonement meant to sweep sin under the rug, a temporary fix for one’s sins and that propitiation was the complete satisfaction of a sin debt. But I just looked them up in the dictionary and found that I was wrong. Now I wonder how else I’m wrong. Thanks again for a good book.
Frank,
Thanks so much. Glad you enjoyed the book and that it has been helpful.
Thank you Don for being a scribe of the Lord. God is a God of plans (ie. Noah’s ark, Tabernacle of Moses, Soloman’s Temple) and He does not deviate from His plans. You have clearly outlined God’s plans for Israel, Gentiles and His Church.
In Christ,
Bob Goyer
Bob,
Thanks so much.
I hope that the folks who have read or are still working their way through Don’s book will post a review at Amazon. Your review or even just your rating might get someone to buy the book and subsequently bring that person to accept Jesus Christ into their lives. By the way Don, I loved the book.
Thanks, Bob.
God bless you and your articles. I am daily blessed!
Don, I am looking forward to seeing you in Meridian, Idaho on May 19th. Is should be a wonderful conference as you talk about your new book: God’s Programs
Leslie,
Thank you. I’m looking forward to meeting you and other believers. It it be a great time of learning and fellowship.
I truly enjoyed reading God’s Programs and found it very helpful to my Study of the Scriptures. Thank you for the book and this site. May God richly bless you and the work you do,
Pat,
Thank you. I’m glad the book was helpful.
After I bought and read my copy I ordered one for each of my 3 children.
Joe,
Thank you!
Don – I have received and had the opportunity to thumb through this book. I would like to say thank you for the time, effort and thought you have given to this. Personally, I find it a great blessing in unpacking Scripture – as I have done your website pieces. Today, more than ever, we need to get a grip of this. May you be richly blessed for your contribution to the study of Scripture.
Steve,
Thank you. I hope the book will be a blessing to you.
Really enjoying this book! It helps bring a lot of things together in an order that makes sense. Are there plans for a kindle/e-book version?
Trevor,
At some point, I will do an ebook. Right now, I am working on another, new book. Am glad you are finding the book helpful.
Pauline theology is the great grace message that God has reconciled the entire world to Himself and needs to be broadcasted to the whole world.
Thank you for isolating and magnifying that message in your book from all the theological clutter in traditional Christendom.
I have reached page 179 dealing with the heavenly citizenship and I have a question. On physical death those who are in the Body of Christ go to heaven to be with Jesus (2 Cor. 5:6-8) but what happens to those who are destined to enter the kingdom on the earth? Are they in Abraham’s bosom?
Peter,
We don’t have much information on this but it seems after the Lord rose, He took the OT saints from Abraham’s bosom to heaven. There they await resurrection and life in the kingdom.
Thank you for the reply.
BYW what is the subject of your new book? Theology, of course, but a little more detail perhaps.
What would have happened to the kingdom believers after the resurrection?
Peter,
The new book is on Paul. Not quit sure I understand the question. Had Israel repented the prophetic program would have continued and Christ would have returned. The kingdom believers would go into the kingdom. The OT saints would be resurrected and go into the kingdom.
It was my sister who kept feeding me Paul ‘ s mystery. What did I care about Paul? Why did he matter so? Then God put my head in Paul’s gospel. It took several years of study and watching Les Feldick to grasp this truth. Now, it is DOCTRINE.ORG that has been my study guide. Your site has guided me through that slippery slope my local church wanted me to fall into – works + faith = salvation. Understanding Paul’s gospel has set me free. Sadly, it is hard to spread this message, for most Christian’s I know do not read their bibles but instead are fed from the pulpit. I bought your book. I didn’t read it…I devoured it! Every page was relished. One question…is it possible that we will see the development of the anti – christ rise to power and then be raptured before he turns ugly? Isn’t that when wrath comes?
Mary,
Thank you and God bless you. Your testimony is what makes my writing worthwhile. I think we will be long gone before the Beast comes on the scene. What we are witnessing now is preparation for the world to embrace the Beast. As nature abhors a vacuum, so does supernature. Reject the truth and one will accept error.
Dear Ron,
The book “God’s Programs” is a theological revelation which unveils to the amazing purposes of God in the lives of His people and is a great blessing to me.
My doctrinal background is “Word of Faith” and Pentecostal which, while embracing the Programs doctrine, causes me to experience a conflict with cessationism.
Is it possible that a member of the Body of Christ can expect to be led by the Holy Spirit not only in terms of the written Word but also in the relatively mundane but necessary affairs of life (Rom. 8; Gal. 5)?
Also, can believers expect God to bless the work of their hands and cause all-sufficiency and even excess to be manifested in their lives (2 Cor. 8 – 9; Phil. 4)?
I understand that believers do not look to signs as reasons to believe the Gospel but look to signs because they believe. And, of course, a lack of signs does not in any way invalidate the truth of the Word.
However, answered prayer always brings joy and increased faith in the Word.
Your comments will be most welcome.
Great job with the book – waiting for the next one.
Peter
Peter,
Thank you. The Christian life works on two levels. The human side is to live by faith, to believe what God has written. The divine side is as we believe God, God the Holy Spirit transforms us into the image of Christ. This is not really perceived, even as physical growth is not perceived, i.e., a child cannot tell he’s growing until after some time has passed. God is concerned about ever aspect of our lives and wants to bring us to maturity. I am finishing a new book on Paul and I deal with several issues not mentioned in God’s Programs.
Congratulations on the latest book Don and just in time for Christmas too!
RM,
Thanks!
Don, I ordered ‘God’s Program: An Introduction to understanding the Bible’. I look forward to reading and studying it when I get it. As I’ve enjoyed ‘Paul: Apostle of Secrets.’ In particular, I like how you mainly stick to pure doctrine as opposed to also including a lot of the basic apologetics stuff such as the existence of God, the validity of the Bible, etc. Although you do address the Darwinian evolution myth which is good. I’m not saying all of that is not important as well. But there’s also other great apologists that people can go to for that basic information. What’s great for me is that the Lord is using you to specifically teach Pauline doctrinal truths which many esteemed scholars have been woefully lacking in. Rightly dividing the Word is very rare indeed.
Don, I’m currently reading ‘God’s Programs: An introduction to the Bible’. I’m on page 169 which addresses the day of Christ. When believers are raptured and appear at the Judgment Seat of Christ, will there also be great fear, sorrow or remorse for loss of rewards as well as great joy for rewards? Scripture states: “If any man’s work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.” Will these believers also be anguished, perhaps momentarily, over not doing all they should have done for the Lord?
Brian,
Unknown. Paul doesn’t say. It is only human to think, “I could have done better. I could have done more” but we are not told. It is sobering and it should encourage us to work to please the One who suffered and died that we might live. On the positive side we cannot imagine the joy of being with the Lord forever.
Don, you state on page 270 of ‘God’s Programs: An Introduction to Understanding the Bible’, that the best answer as to why God created mankind was to resolve the angelic conflict and the problem of evil. Maybe it’s just tradition, but I’ve been taught that God created man mainly for special fellowship/relationship. As I read and study your book, however, I’m being persuaded as to your conclusions. I know that God enjoys an unimaginable blissful relationship within the Trinity, and to a lesser extent with His loyal angels.
Brian,
God created us for fellowship as God created us in His image. He did not create angels such. But as creatures with will, we will demonstrate God’s goodness and justice to the angelic host and condemn the angels who revolted agains God. The book of Job is a microcosm of this purpose.
Don, does the Angelic Conflict refer to the prehistoric creatures lead by Satan who revolted against God and did it begin in eternity past, before the restoration of planet earth?
Craig,
Yes. We have limited information. We know Satan was in Eden before Adam (Ezekiel 28) and we know that Satan led a rebellion in which 1/3 of the angelic host joined him (Isaiah 14; Revelation 12). Beyond this, information is pretty sketchy.
Both of your books are spectacular. Next to the Bible both are my favorite theological books of all time.
Your books are not receiving the reviews they deserve on Amazon.com. The whole world needs to understand God’s Programs and Paul’s Secrets.
However, in the other theological books I read, much mention is made of the need for proper division of the Scriptures in (2 Tim. 2:15, 18) and the division of time e.g. Time Past, Now and Ages to Come (Eph. 2).
I cannot find any reference to these subjects in your two books or the articles on your website. Have I missed any references you make?
What are your thoughts specifically about these two passages of Scripture (2 Tim. 2:15, 18; Eph. 2).
I appreciate the privilege of communicating with you.
Have you considered a pateron.com account? A pateron.com account may give readers the opportunity of contributing to your ministry?
Thank you,
Peter
Peter,
Thank you for your kind words.
The ISBN references on your books are not found on Amazon.com or on Google. I wish to reference your two books in an article I am publishing and I need the ISBN references to work.
Are you able to help?
Peter,
The ISBN numbers are on Amazon in Product Details. They can also be found on the back cover and on the copyright page of the book.
Hi Don, any plans to offer these books as e-books on Kindle? I enjoy reading on this format.
Thanks, and God bless you,
Phil
Phil,
Thanks. Because my books have so many tables or charts they do not translate well into an ebook format.
Don
I read your other two books and now I’m starting The New Testament study Bible. Do you have any books in mind that explains the power of the resurrection. This is a subject I could use more understanding.
Thanks,
Bill
Bill,
The “power of the resurrection” was proof that Jesus had defeated sin and death, had won the strategic victory of the angelic conflict (Romans 1.4). It means the coming of the indwelling Holy Spirit, the New Covenant (forgiveness of sins and indwelling Spirit). Paul wrote, “to know Him and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death” (Philippians 3.10). Romans 6.1-14 explains this. When Christ died, we died. Because He lives, we live.
Don,
I am enjoying your book The New Testament study Bible. I’ve read your other two books and they were very informative. I have listened to Through the Bible with Les Feldick for almost two decades but having the dispensations (Gospels) presented in writing from Matthew in a study Bible format helps organize my understanding.
Thanks for the work that must have gone into this and sharing it.
Bill,
My pleasure.
Hi Don,
I am just about to order a couple of your books. It sounds as though many are finding them very helpful.
In the meantime, I wonder if you could find a little time to write an article on “Women”.
I notice you treat women with respect and acknowledge their ministry. But as it stands, I currently feel very confused and fearful about what is or is not a legitimate a legitimate form of ministry for women. If women are not to have authority over men, should a woman even share scriptural truths in a mixed bible study group?
Your insight on this vexed and very current issue would be greatly appreciated.
Annette
Annette,
Thank you and hope the books will be a blessing. I’m focused on other things right now so won’t write an article on women but will address it briefly here. Many women were involved in Paul’s ministry. This is clear from his closing statements in Romans. We also know Aquila and Priscilla ministered with Paul. He mentioned the couple three times and her name comes first two of those times. I cannot prove it, but I suspect she was more verbal than her husband. Acts 18 reveals that both of them instructed the learned Apollos concerning Paul’s revelations and secrets which they learned about as they sewed tents with Paul. When Paul wrote about women, his main concern was that the divine order be maintained (1 Corinthians 11). That is the key. The most difficult verse is 1 Timothy 2.12 but here again, it goes back to the creative order. Clearly, Priscilla taught and was not silent in speaking to Apollos. Paul did not want women to be a disruptive element in churches. The long and short of this is that the Holy Spirit should control the speech and behavior of women (as also men). God has made us different and women can have insight into the Scriptures and a different perspective than men which is part of a woman’s role in being a companion. If God didn’t want a woman to speak, He would have kept her inside Adam. I think Paul was also dealing with the ideal. We know that sometimes (or many times) women must speak out and exert leadership because of men’s weakness to lead or because men are morons. Many times women are a lot smarter than men and have a greater insight into right and wrong. So, I do not have a perfect answer but I trust that the Holy Spirit will guide and give you insight. God looks at the heart and our role, whether man or woman, is to have pure motives.
“Men are morons”. I’m a man and I know exactly what you are talking about. thanks for being so concisely transparent.
Thank you Don
That’s helpful.
A
Hi Don,
I’ve received my two books thank you.
I have a related question prompted by an article in a newsletter I receive. The author claims that because Jesus was operating in the New Covenant, He could legitimately break the Mosaic Law.
He writes “Now there are many other Mosaic laws that Jesus
either directly or indirectly contravenes ….” citing the Sabbath Law and food Laws.
My gut tells me this is problematical but I’d appreciate your guidance on the topic.
Thank you so much for all your marvellous work.
Annette
Annette,
Jesus broke no Mosaic Laws. Rather, He explained the Law and condemned the Jewish leaders’ legalistic interpretation and lack of mercy. The New Covenant does not replace or break the Mosaic Law. The New Covenant is the forgiveness of sins and the indwelling Holy Spirit. The former gives one peace about sin and love of God for His goodness. The latter provides the power to obey God.
(Resending…not sure if received)
Hi, brother! Absolutely have been abuntantly wowed by all four of your books and several articles on docrtine.org! Even bought a hard cover of “…Paul” after underlining so much of the initial soft cover!
There’s always a “but…,” right? So here it is. In “Understanding the Jewish Writings,” page 70, note on verse 13 of Hebrews 11 says, “They ‘saw’ the promise of Christ’s return, His defeat of His enemies, the earthly kingdom, etc. from afar with ‘eyes of faith.'”
I suspect the author may have superimposed his own preconceptions on that verse, else how did those Hebrew people know of the Messiah or of His being called “Christ?” Are not the promises limited to what the texts state regarding each, or what is further clarified by the Spirit of God in and through His progressive revelation as for instance through Paul. The promises they embraced were merely (and I do not in any way intimate insignificance) the promises as God’s word they were given, not those eisegetically offered.
Keep up this good fight! Your work is truely a breath of fresh air in this decaying world and even within the churches.
Jeff,
Thank you. Glad you are enjoying the books. Some of what these early believers knew is difficult to determine. Eve likely thought her son Cain would be the Deliverer. Enoch wrote of the Lords return. God bless you and may you continue to grow in grace and understanding.
Don, I bought and studied ‘Understanding The Jewish Writings’ book. It’s superb. This along with your other two books should be required reading at any reputable Christian college or seminary. I particularly like how you emphasized the literal sprinkled blood of Christ on our behalf. Many, if not most false teachers ignore or gloss over this truth along with imputation. Grace to you as always!
Thanks!
Just received the newest edition of your NT translation. Your comments are clear and insightful. I notice that in it, as is done in your other books where you translated the Greek, you state “the God” instead of simply “God”. I seem to pause each time I read over it and was just curious as to why you use the “the God” phrase.
Thanks for your ministry.
David,
Thank you. Yes, it is a bit wooden and odd. While I explain at the beginning that some nouns with the definite article are not translated with the article, e.g., “the Jesus,” etc., I chose to include it when it occurs in the Greek text to draw attention and emphasize that there is one true God, the God of the Bible.
I just went back to the section titled “The Translation and the Text” and understand your approach. Thanks again for the helpful resource.
David,
Glad that helped. Thank you.
Don,
Thank you.
It is my opinion that your approach was supposed to be the one in use from the very first translators of the Bible. Since they got us used to pronouncing “God” and not “the God,” it now leads us to feel out of place the first time we read the term “the God” in your translation.
I think if anyone had the desire to leave out the definite article then they were supposed to stick to the use of our God’s proper noun, YAHWEH. Otherwise, taking it for granted and assuming that each mention of God with capital letter will automatically refer to YAHWEH did not help to serve the purpose of distinguishing which God they are referring to.
That is why other religions, more especially the Muslims have the audacity to claim that the God of the Bible is the same god as that of the Koran. All this is due to less emphasis by Bible translators who neglecter the need to emphasize the proper noun of our God, or alternatively including the definite article to help point to a particular God.
They weren’t supposed to just say God this and God that without any effort to point to a particular God. No wonder other versions maintained the name YAHWEH in their translations, in trying to point to a particular God.
Thanks once again, it sounds very real when we read “the God” as it shows that we are talking of a particular God, who is the God of the Bible.
Bahate,
The English translators knew Latin better than Greek due to the influence over hundreds of years by the Roman Catholic Church. Latin does not have a definite or indefinite article. So when they translated, they often did not render the definite article due to this influence. But its presence is in the text for a reason. It must also be understood that in Greek, a noun can be definite with or without the article. In the cases where it is not presence, one must decide from the context whether a noun is definite or indefinite, i.e., “a” or “the.” In my translation, I did not include it with names or places, i.e., “the Jesus,” “the Galilee,” but thought it appropriate to put it before “God” as there is but one true God that the Jews spoke about.