Right Brain, Left Brain and Commenataries

So the Left Brain is more or less linear and reasonable, the right brain is more or less intuitive and artistic.  That is, I know, an overstatement.   We stipulate that Fresh Read is about the Bible not neuroscience.

That being said, I find that I value the left brain (nuts and bolts, definitions and outlines) kinds of commentaries to get things like authorship, date, outlines and word definitions.  But I LOVE the right brain commentaries that show the relationships of things – the literary shape and the artistry of a writer.

“A word apt spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver.”

I am starting a new sermon series on James. I found that Doug Moo’s commentary (Tyndale series) is somewhat balanced, with a lot of left and some right-brained material.  I dutifully read and noted the important facts detailed.  I was surprised to find how often he noted the literary catch words in the passage.

Then I turned to J. A. Motyer in the Bible Speaks Today (IVP)  Series.  Wow!  Right off the bat a big picture diagram of the interrelated and literary unity of the book.    I am still in the introduction and I am making notes and saying “yes” out loud.

So I am biased – yet I recognize the value of both types.    We do need accountants and programmers but we also need poets and painters.