Paul R. House

Paul R. House (born 1958) is an American scholar of the late twentieth and early twenty-first century whose work in the Old Testament reflects a solidly evangelical and broadly conservative theological alignment.

He has made significant contributions in the area of Old Testament theology and biblical exposition, serving many years as Professor of Divinity (Old Testament) and Hebrew, and producing a number of important works including Old Testament Theology, The Unity of the Twelve, commentary volumes such as Daniel: An Introduction and Commentary, and articles on canonical, theological and hermeneutical themes. His academic ministry spans institutions such as The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, Wheaton College, and Beeson Divinity School.

What continues to make House’s writing valued is his combination of scholarly rigour, theological fidelity and readable exposition. He brings depth of insight to complex texts while maintaining clarity and pastoral sensitivity. His work is attentive to the authority of Scripture, historically rooted and yet oriented toward the life of the church. Readers appreciate his ability to help them engage the Old Testament with confidence and depth without sacrificing clarity.

Recommended titles: Daniel: An Introduction and Commentary, Old Testament Theology, and 1 & 2 Kings (commentary).

Paul R. House

Paul R. House (born 1958) is an American scholar of the late twentieth and early twenty-first century whose work in the Old Testament reflects a solidly evangelical and broadly conservative theological alignment.

He has made significant contributions in the area of Old Testament theology and biblical exposition, serving many years as Professor of Divinity (Old Testament) and Hebrew, and producing a number of important works including Old Testament Theology, The Unity of the Twelve, commentary volumes such as Daniel: An Introduction and Commentary, and articles on canonical, theological and hermeneutical themes. His academic ministry spans institutions such as The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, Wheaton College, and Beeson Divinity School.

What continues to make House’s writing valued is his combination of scholarly rigour, theological fidelity and readable exposition. He brings depth of insight to complex texts while maintaining clarity and pastoral sensitivity. His work is attentive to the authority of Scripture, historically rooted and yet oriented toward the life of the church. Readers appreciate his ability to help them engage the Old Testament with confidence and depth without sacrificing clarity.

Recommended titles: Daniel: An Introduction and Commentary, Old Testament Theology, and 1 & 2 Kings (commentary).

Author: Paul R. House

Paul R. House

Paul R. House (born 1958) is an American scholar of the late twentieth and early twenty-first century whose work in the Old Testament reflects a solidly evangelical and broadly conservative theological alignment.

He has made significant contributions in the area of Old Testament theology and biblical exposition, serving many years as Professor of Divinity (Old Testament) and Hebrew, and producing a number of important works including Old Testament Theology, The Unity of the Twelve, commentary volumes such as Daniel: An Introduction and Commentary, and articles on canonical, theological and hermeneutical themes. His academic ministry spans institutions such as The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, Wheaton College, and Beeson Divinity School.

What continues to make House’s writing valued is his combination of scholarly rigour, theological fidelity and readable exposition. He brings depth of insight to complex texts while maintaining clarity and pastoral sensitivity. His work is attentive to the authority of Scripture, historically rooted and yet oriented toward the life of the church. Readers appreciate his ability to help them engage the Old Testament with confidence and depth without sacrificing clarity.

Recommended titles: Daniel: An Introduction and Commentary, Old Testament Theology, and 1 & 2 Kings (commentary).

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Daniel

IntroductoryGeneral readers, Lay readers / small groups, Pastors-in-trainingUseful supplement
7.6Author: Paul R. House Bible Book: Daniel Series: Tyndale Old Testament Commentaries Publisher: IVP Type: Expositional Theological Perspective: Reformed

Evaluation Scores

Overall: 7.6/10
  • Faithfulness to Scripture: 8/10
    House handles Daniel carefully, giving clear explanations while avoiding speculative interpretations and maintaining evangelical balance.
  • Christ-centredness: 6/10
    Christological connections are present in principle but not explored extensively, reflecting the series’ concise and introductory nature.
  • Depth of Insight: 7/10
    The commentary provides solid mid-level insight, especially in structure and theology, though it does not delve deeply into technical issues.
  • Clarity of Writing: 9/10
    House writes with simplicity and precision, making complex themes easy to understand without sacrificing accuracy.
  • Pastoral Usefulness: 8/10
    The commentary offers dependable guidance for teaching and preaching, especially in highlighting Daniel’s major theological themes.
  • Readability: 9/10
    Concise chapters and straightforward prose make this an enjoyable and accessible resource for a wide range of readers.

Summary

Daniel (Tyndale Old Testament Commentaries) by Paul R. House (Series: Tyndale Old Testament Commentaries; Publisher: IVP Academic; Paperback) presents a thoughtful and accessible commentary on the book of Daniel. Published in 2018, it carries a solid evangelical reputation and aims to serve serious students, pastors, and church leaders. My first impression is that House strikes a commendable balance between scholarly rigour and readable application, making this volume a valuable resource for church-related study.

Why Should I Own This Commentary?

This commentary distinguishes itself by the clarity with which House guides the reader through the complex visions, historical context and theological themes of Daniel. He addresses both narrative and apocalyptic portions with care—highlighting God’s sovereignty, the theme of faithful witness and the hope of the coming kingdom. Those looking to deepen their understanding of Daniel from a text-centred, evangelical perspective will find this work particularly helpful.

The target audience is pastors, sermon-preparers, Bible study leaders and serious church students. Its layout is straightforward, readable, and avoids overly technical jargon, making it appropriate for use in a church environment or personal study context. While it is not primarily a highly technical academic monograph, it still engages key interpretive issues and theological implications—thus providing both substance and accessibility.

From a Reformed tradition vantage, its strengths include a firm affirmation of God’s ultimate rule, the perseverance of the saints and the unfolding of redemptive history. Where it might be less strong is in extensive systematic theology or heavy covenant-theology framing; readers committed to that perspective may need to supplement accordingly. Nonetheless, its theological orientation remains solidly evangelical and trustworthy.

In summary, Paul R. House’s Daniel is a highly commendable commentary for anyone in the evangelical church seeking a well-balanced, readable and theologically sound treatment of the book of Daniel. Among commentaries on Daniel it stands out for its combination of accessibility and depth—making it a strong choice for pastors, Bible study leaders and serious students who value clarity, substance and evangelical confidence.

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