Deus Misereatur

  The biblical book of Ruth is a short, gritty, witty, and chancy little work. Four chapters full of grief and questions, risk and surprises. Then Dale Ralph Davis, one time professor of Old Testament at Reformed Theological Seminary and pastor, comes along and adds to the adventure of Ruth a 96-page paperback, "No Hopeless Future: Expositions on the Book of Ruth." The title succinctly announces the focus of Davis's work and the message of Ruth. Together the reader should walk away confirmed in the recognition that " God takes common and complicated circumstances in the lives of his people and makes them contribute to the coming of his kingdom in this world " (pg. 95). The chapters are Davis's sermons on Ruth from when he was pastoring Woodland Presbyterian Church (PCA) in Hattiesburg, Mississippi several years ago. A teenage young man heard those sermons, and then years later, while a Major in the United States Marine Corps, found the audio recordings and t...

    Not many biblical scholars make it the height of their academic work to finally write a commentary on Ezra and Nehemiah. And very few pastors long to do a sermon series on these two books. But there are adventurous souls out there who will take the risk, come what may, and Dr. Dale Ralph Davis has taken that plunge with the 224-page softback, “Ezra & Nehemiah: The Quest for Restoration” published by Christian Focus. This volume is another installment in the “Focus on the Bible Series.” Dr. Davis was Minister in Residence, First Presbyterian Church, Columbia, South Carolina. Prior to that he was pastor of Woodland Presbyterian Church, Hattiesburg, Mississippi and various other churches through the years. He was also Professor of Old Testament at Reformed Theological Seminary, Jackson, Mississippi.   This readable work is truly a commentary on Ezra and Nehemiah, for their own sakes. Though there are leadership principles to be gleaned, lessons on prayer, and c...

  This Sunday evening I will be tackling Daniel 10:1-11:2. It’s a striking scene, one that leaves a reader with lots of unanswered questions, but also gives rich encouragement. In this scene, Daniel has spent 21 days fasting, mourning, and praying. Suddenly, at the end of those long days of prayer and sorrow, a man appears in a vision to Daniel. He tells Daniel some very important, behind-the-scenes details.   First, he notifies Daniel that his coming, the vision he will rehearse, and the things he is doing is because Daniel prayed: “ Fear not, Daniel, for from the first day that you set your heart to understand and humbled yourself before your God, your words have been heard, and I have come because of your words ” (10:12). So, God’s response to Daniel was already on the way from the first day Daniel began praying. And now, 21 days into his praying, he receives God’s response. Twenty-one days! Our timing and sense of urgency and God’s timing and sense of urgency are truly o...

  This is a 5-Star book by Dale Ralph Davis, now retired Presbyterian minister and professor of Old Testament. It's readable as a devotional work, it's scholarly for research, and it'll preach! The author's easy manner can almost be disarming because he doesn't slack off from the harder details. one who picks up this volume and dives in will not be disappointed, and will walk away with a better comprehension of Joshua, and greater appreciation for the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Davis does a masterful job helping readers, teachers, and preachers grasp what's going on in the scroll of Joshua, and why it matters. He helps students to see the big picture of each section, and then draws their attention into the specific features of every episode. Afterward, he often turns the caring eyes of his searching analysis on the hearts and lives of those reading, until you come to actually believe that the scroll of Joshua is God speaking to his people in every age, ev...

  Luke 14-24: On the Road to Jerusalem Dale Ralph Davis Christian Focus Publications Christianfocus.com ISBN: 9781527106420; January 2021; $19.99   I used to do book reviews for a small firm in Austin, Texas. They would do publicity for self-published works or manuscripts put out by “micro-publishers.” Needless to say, the quality of the books varied greatly. I still remember one novel that was trucking along beautifully, drawing in my attention. Then, about three-fourths of the way through, at the crucial moment, there were ten blank pages with the remainder of the leaves only showing every other line. I was terribly disappointed. Therefore, I’m glad that Dale Ralph Davis, pastor, writer, and seminary professor, has completed his commentary on Luke. The first volume handled Luke 1-13 , and now the second has arrived, “Luke 14-24: On the Road to Jerusalem”. This 256-page paperback follows the same approach as the first book, right through to the resurrection and as...

  Luke 1-13: The Year of the Lord’s Favior Dale Ralph Davis Christian Focus Publications Christianfocus.com ISBN: 9781527106383; January 2021; $19.99   I tell you no one is safe when Dale Ralph Davis – pastor, writer, and seminary professor – has gotten loose! And his newest erudite adventure, the 264-page paperback, “Luke 1-13: The Year of the Lord’s Favor” is proof positive! Davis expounds on the first thirteen chapters of Luke in this volume and draws out loads of friends to help him make his point. His sons, wife, Civil War generals, theologians, crows eating roadkill, presidents, father, mother, his own brothers, and many more, are all gathered around, given their place and handed their mission. He even recounts a story I told some twenty years ago and threw me into the fray! No one is safe, I tell you! And it’s all deliciously fun, attention-grabbing, and illustrative of what our Lord did and does, and of what he said and what he signified. Davis is a masterf...

What do you give someone to help them through seasons when they are smeared and railed against? Where do you point those who are fretting over the suffocating rise of evildoers in their life? The book of Psalms is a good start! And Dale Ralph Davis, one-time Professor of Old Testament at Reformed Theological Seminary, Jackson, Mississippi, and pastor of several Presbyterian congregations throughout the years, has added another installment to his series on the biblical Psalter. In this newly published 224-page paperback “In the Presence of My Enemies: Psalm 25-37” Davis has amassed a short, scholarly, insightful and engrossing volume that aids readers to interact with these Psalms. The author joins hands with the sacred songwriter in beckoning us to employ our grittiest grief, formidable fears, principle praises and staunchest certainties as we pour out our hearts into the bosom of God. Older teens, twenty-somethings, tricenarians and beyond will find this a very approachable volum...

This evening (3 June 2018) my favorite Old Testament Professor at RTS-Jackson (D. Ralph Davis), and deep friend, will be preaching his last sermon and retiring. This piece was written by one of his sons. I hope and pray that one day my children will be able to write these kinds of things about me (please, God!). I can give my testimony that his son is spot on! Here's the link: " Years Well Spent " by Luke Davis

From 1996 to 2000 Dr. Dale Ralph Davis was one of my Old Testament professors at Reformed Theological Seminary in Jackson, Mississippi. From 1998 to 2002 Dr. Davis became a dear friend as I served a small, rural Presbyterian church in Mississippi. He would always open the door of his study for me and allow me to "unload" my woes, and then he would spend time praying with me and for me. Even after we went to different parts of the country (he to Mississippi and South Carolina; and I to Texas and Oklahoma), we have remained in contact. I have always found Dr. Davis's commentaries and books solid in their scholarship, warm in their application, Gospel-focused in their direction and demeanor, and devotional in their observations. As he works his readers through Scripture, he always seems to have one eye on how to preach the Old Testament, and the other eye on how to minister to the preacher, and the preacher's congregation. I simply cannot recommend his books enough!...

Stump Kingdom: Isaiah 6-12 by Dale Ralph Davis My rating: 5 of 5 stars He does it every time! Dr. Dale Ralph Davis, Minister in Residence at First Presbyterian Church in Columbia, South Carolina, successfully hits another home-run with his newest 128 page paperback, "Stump Kingdom: Isaiah 6-12." This nifty little volume is easy to read, insightful, and usable for seminary trained ministers as well as disciples desiring to grow in their grasp of Scripture. "Stump Kingdom" unfolds in eight chapters that systematically work through Isaiah chapters six through twelve. Davis draws from scholarly sources, Hebrew vocabulary, grammar and the canonical context of these chapters to give the reader a well-rounded presentation. Though the work is scholarly, it's not stuffy or stiff. Part of the author's aim was personal: he wanted to get at chapter 7.14 and workout how it fits into the thought of Isaiah. The result of his discussion on that chapter is full and for...

Faith of our Father: Expositions of Genesis 12-25 by Dale Ralph Davis My rating: 5 of 5 stars Dale Ralph Davis smacks another ball out of the park with this recently published, 176 page paperback book. The chapters are around eight pages long, but easy to read, thus making this material delightful devotional reading on Genesis 12 through 25. The main points are set in bold, and the substance is nourishing, warm, instructive, substantive, biblical, sometimes delightfully counter cultural, and easy to follow. These are sermons Dr. Davis has preached at First Presbyterian Church (ARP) in Columbia, SC. "Faith of our Fathers' is ideal for individual reading, group discussion, family devotions, and Adult Bible studies. Everyone who delves into the chapters will walk away glad they've read the book. I unreservedly and unhesitatingly recommend this book! View all my reviews

The Word Became Fresh: How to Preach from Old Testament Narrative Texts Dale Ralph Davis Mentor (A Christian Focus Publications imprint) Geanies House Fearn, Tain Ross-shire IV20 1TW Scotland, UK www.christianfocus.com ISBN: 9781845501921; November 2006; $16.99 5 out of 5 stars: Fresh and Friendly Many people seem to be intimidated and unsettled by the Old Testament. Even among Christians most plainly avoid reading it all the way through. They may glance at little snippets here and there; refer back to it when reading some text from the New Testament that mentions an Old Testament passage; or paste a heartwarming verse from Joshua, the Psalms or one of the prophets on their wall plaques. But truth be told, most Christians find the Old Testament, and especially the narratives, perplexing. And so do many preachers. Ask yourself two questions: (1) when was the last time you heard a sermon series or Sunday School series that walked the congregation t...

Slogging Along in the Paths of Righteousness: Psalms 13-24 by Dale Ralph Davis My rating: 5 of 5 stars He's done it again! Dr. Dale Ralph Davis, Minister in Residence at First Presbyterian Church in Columbia, S.C., has succumbed to the temptation of putting forth another book on a portion of the Psalms. This 189 page paperback, fittingly titled "Slogging Along in the Path of Righteousness: Psalms 13-24," takes readers further down the trail the author began in his previous work, "The Way of the Righteous." Davis guides the reader, step by step, along the path of Psalms 13-24, pointing out the easy-to-spot scenery, but also describing the beautiful intricacies that color in the backdrop. Academic technicalities are rare, and when they do surface, they are easily handled. As the title of the book puts it, the paths of righteousness are often a sloshing and slogging through muck. Davis doesn't soft-pedal the muck, but neither does he leave the reader to s...

The Way of the Righteous in the Muck of Life: Psalms 1-12 by Dale Ralph Davis My rating: 5 of 5 stars In this 144 page paperback, Dale Ralph Davis walks the reader through the first twelve Psalms. He approaches the Psalms along the lines of Gordon Wenham in his book "The Psalter Reclaimed" (see my review of that fine work). Davis follows more of a canonical-redemptive flight pattern in interpreting the Psalms. Each Psalm is where it is for a reason, and that helps to unpack the meaning of the passage. But beyond that technicality, this is a delightful morsel to feed on, especially for weary, worn, watery-eyed souls that feel that their faith is becoming rice-paper thin." "The Way of the Righteous in the Muck of Life" is truly what they title says. On the one hand, there are loads of reasons for God's covenant-love recipients to take heart. The God whom we love, not only loved us first, but continues to keep our plight in mind, guiding, sustaining, hel...

The Message of Daniel The Bible Speaks Today series Dale Ralph Davis Inter-Varsity Press IVP Book Centre Norton Street Nottingham NG7 3HR UNITED KINGDOM http://www.ivpbooks.com ISBN: 978-1-84474-801-3; £9.99 / $18.00; 2013. Reviewed by Dr. Michael Philliber for Deus Misereatur (12/24) Digging Daniel (5 stars out of 5) With a glut of printed, recorded and visualized material on prophecy, and all the hub-bub over failed end-times prognostications that has spilled into the media, another volume on a biblical prophetic book might receive a grimacing wince, or groaning incredulity. But Dale Ralph Davis’s new 176 page paperback, “The Message of Daniel” is a unique treatment of this Old Testament prophet that is devotional, homiletical, textual and thoughtful. This is part of “The Bible Speaks Today” series, and replaces the classic piece by Ronald Wallace. Davis takes the position that Daniel was written by whom it claims to be written, during the period...

True Word for Tough Times Dale Ralph Davis EP Books Faverdale North, Darlington, DL3 0PH, UK In association with Bryntirion Press Bridgend CF31 4DX Wales http://www.epbooks.org ISBN: 978-085234-934-2; $11.99; 2013. Reviewed by Dr. Michael Philliber for Deus Misereatur (11/27) Preaching a Prophet (4 stars out of 5)   Sometimes reading the Old Testament gives Christians the hives. And when Christian ministers get the crazy notion to preach from the Hebrew prophets, either they or their parishioners (or both) begin to doubt their sanity. And so it is quite refreshing to read just about anything Dale Ralph Davis writes on the Old Testament, because he is a delightful scout who is well qualified to guide readers on their trek through “Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms” (Luke 24.44). Therefore I was elated to find that Dr. Davis had recently published a new 95 page paperback titled, “True Word for Tough Times.” This short piece consists of 4 sermons an...

[ This was my introduction for the new series we're doing at Providence Presbyterian Church (PCA), Midland Texas ] What in the world would possess me to do such a foolhardy thing??? My mother-in-law recently related that her pastor was taking off on a series through Genesis & my heart sank. What labor, what endurance, what hardship to not only prepare the series, but the burden it will bring on the people. Well, here I stand before you announcing that we’re going to launch off in a series on 1 & 2 Kings. What in the world would possess me to do such a foolhardy thing??? Well, today I hope to show you, & to even stir up a bit of excitement. 1st-The Place of 1 & 2 Kings : In Luke 24.44 (“the Law of Moses & the Prophets & the Psalms”) Jesus mentions three sections of the Hebrew Scriptures. These are the scrolls-collections in which the writings were bundled. The “Law of Moses” was the scroll with Genesis through Deuteronomy. The 3rd scroll was called “The Ps...