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Book by McGee, J. Vernon
- GenresChristianFaithNonfiction
Paperback
First published January 1, 1900
About the author
J. Vernon McGee
509 books71 followersJohn Vernon McGee was born in Hillsboro, Texas, in 1904. Dr. McGee remarked, "When I was born and the doctor gave me the customary whack, my mother said that I let out a yell that could be heard on all four borders of Texas!" His Creator well knew that he would need a powerful voice to deliver a powerful message.
As a student pastor, Dr. McGee's first church was located on a red clay hill in Midway, Georgia. It was there that he received his greatest compliment: "It was from a country boy wearing high buttoned, yellow shoes. After a morning service he came to speak to me. He groped for words, then blurted out, 'I never knew Jesus was so wonderful!' He started to say more but choked up and hurried out of the church. As I watched him stride across the field, I prayed, 'Oh, God, help me to always preach so that it can be said, I never knew Jesus was so wonderful.'"
After completing his education (earning his A.B. from Southwestern University in Memphis, Tennessee; his B.D. from Columbia Theological Seminary in Decatur, Georgia; his Th.M. and Th.D. from Dallas Theological Seminary in Dallas, Texas), and after pastoring Presbyterian churches in Decatur, GA, Nashville, TN, and Cleburne, TX, he and his wife came west, settling in Pasadena, where he accepted a call to the Lincoln Avenue Presbyterian Church. He recalls this period as the happiest in his life, with a young family and a young congregation whom he loved.
Dr. McGee's greatest pastorate was at the historic, Church of the Open Door in downtown Los Angeles, where he served from 1949 to 1970. There he began a daily radio broadcast called "High Noon Bible Class" on a single station.
Dr. McGee began teaching Thru the Bible in 1967. After retiring from the pastorate, he set up radio headquarters in Pasadena, and the radio ministry expanded rapidly. Today the program airs on over 400 stations each day in the United States and Canada, is heard in more than 100 languages around the world and is broadcast worldwide via the Internet.
As a student pastor, Dr. McGee's first church was located on a red clay hill in Midway, Georgia. It was there that he received his greatest compliment: "It was from a country boy wearing high buttoned, yellow shoes. After a morning service he came to speak to me. He groped for words, then blurted out, 'I never knew Jesus was so wonderful!' He started to say more but choked up and hurried out of the church. As I watched him stride across the field, I prayed, 'Oh, God, help me to always preach so that it can be said, I never knew Jesus was so wonderful.'"
After completing his education (earning his A.B. from Southwestern University in Memphis, Tennessee; his B.D. from Columbia Theological Seminary in Decatur, Georgia; his Th.M. and Th.D. from Dallas Theological Seminary in Dallas, Texas), and after pastoring Presbyterian churches in Decatur, GA, Nashville, TN, and Cleburne, TX, he and his wife came west, settling in Pasadena, where he accepted a call to the Lincoln Avenue Presbyterian Church. He recalls this period as the happiest in his life, with a young family and a young congregation whom he loved.
Dr. McGee's greatest pastorate was at the historic, Church of the Open Door in downtown Los Angeles, where he served from 1949 to 1970. There he began a daily radio broadcast called "High Noon Bible Class" on a single station.
Dr. McGee began teaching Thru the Bible in 1967. After retiring from the pastorate, he set up radio headquarters in Pasadena, and the radio ministry expanded rapidly. Today the program airs on over 400 stations each day in the United States and Canada, is heard in more than 100 languages around the world and is broadcast worldwide via the Internet.
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
October 3, 2022
This book does not attempt to be a theological, scholarly commentary; but rather a transcribed, edited publication of the author's radio messages, intended for the general audience.
With that in mind, the following are some highlights I found meaningful and helpful.
"...even today many of us should be very careful about trying to explain why certain things happen to other people. We have no right to say that God has let something happen to so-and-so for such-and-such a reason. We may think it is a good reason, but the problem is that we really don't KNOW the reason." p. 28
The author explains how, by their continual attacks on Job, his friends led him not to self-judgment, but to self-defense. His friends had the best intentions, and spoke some things that were true. But they thought that Job had committed some secret sin, and were trying to bring it out into the open. Job knew they were wrong. "Since they were wrong, Job assumed he was right. This is where Job made his mistake. The fact that his friends were wrong in no way made Job right." "One of the purposes of trouble in our lives is to lead us into that brokenness of spirit before God."
"Someone has said that trouble is like the sun. The sun shining on wax will melt it. The same sun shining on clay will harden it. That is the way trouble affects different people." p. 136, 137
"The book of Job is teaching us that when we come before God, ... it is wisdom for us to take the low and broken place... for it is the low place that gives us our best view of God and His salvation." p. 150.
With that in mind, the following are some highlights I found meaningful and helpful.
"...even today many of us should be very careful about trying to explain why certain things happen to other people. We have no right to say that God has let something happen to so-and-so for such-and-such a reason. We may think it is a good reason, but the problem is that we really don't KNOW the reason." p. 28
The author explains how, by their continual attacks on Job, his friends led him not to self-judgment, but to self-defense. His friends had the best intentions, and spoke some things that were true. But they thought that Job had committed some secret sin, and were trying to bring it out into the open. Job knew they were wrong. "Since they were wrong, Job assumed he was right. This is where Job made his mistake. The fact that his friends were wrong in no way made Job right." "One of the purposes of trouble in our lives is to lead us into that brokenness of spirit before God."
"Someone has said that trouble is like the sun. The sun shining on wax will melt it. The same sun shining on clay will harden it. That is the way trouble affects different people." p. 136, 137
"The book of Job is teaching us that when we come before God, ... it is wisdom for us to take the low and broken place... for it is the low place that gives us our best view of God and His salvation." p. 150.
August 17, 2021
Divine Wisdom, teaching patience and repentance
First of the poetical books
Theodicy- why does God permit evil in the world
The Great Adversary, Tempter, Accuser, Alienator
First of the poetical books
Theodicy- why does God permit evil in the world
The Great Adversary, Tempter, Accuser, Alienator
September 8, 2025
Excellent study guide.
February 21, 2017
J. Vernon McGee writes expository commentary on the Bible in a frank, no-nonsense manner that is refreshing, thoughtful, and theologically sound. The Book of Job is a mysterious and foreboding story of tragedy, grief, miserable comforters, and the awesome power of God. This book improved my understanding and appreciation of the Book of Job.
June 9, 2010
holy cow. the book of Job is intense.
J. Vernon McGee's commentary gave insight that assisted me in my overall study of one of the most poetic books in the Bible.
J. Vernon McGee's commentary gave insight that assisted me in my overall study of one of the most poetic books in the Bible.
July 20, 2015
Answers the questions:
Why do good things happen to bad people?
Who is righteous before God?
Is God ever wrong?
Why do good things happen to bad people?
Who is righteous before God?
Is God ever wrong?
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews