The long awaited commentary on Romans in the New International Greek New Testament series (NIGTC) by Richard Longenecker is now published. This is one of the most eagerly waited commentaries for me, and I am hoping to engage Longnecker and to harvest the fruits of his labour for my upcoming course on Romans.
Eerdmans, the publisher for the NIGTC commentary series and other excellent series such as the Pillar New Testament Commentary (PNTC) and New International Commentary on the New Testament (NICNT), offers excellent discount on selected commentaries through its Eerdmans Commentary Club. Most of the discounts ranges from 30-40% for selected titles. For example, Longenecker’s Romans commentary was recently offered 30% discount for subscribers including free shipping, but only valid for the US only. International Club members will be able to enjoy such discounts soon when stock is available in their respective regions. However, Eerdmans’ offer for the international market though its Commentary Club is only limited to the UK, Europe and Australia, but not any parts of the world at the moment.
Eerdmans, the publisher for the NIGTC commentary series and other excellent series such as the Pillar New Testament Commentary (PNTC) and New International Commentary on the New Testament (NICNT), offers excellent discount on selected commentaries through its Eerdmans Commentary Club. Most of the discounts ranges from 30-40% for selected titles. For example, Longenecker’s Romans commentary was recently offered 30% discount for subscribers including free shipping, but only valid for the US only. International Club members will be able to enjoy such discounts soon when stock is available in their respective regions. However, Eerdmans’ offer for the international market though its Commentary Club is only limited to the UK, Europe and Australia, but not any parts of the world at the moment.
This is where I am envious of my friends in the Western world who could enjoy such benefits and yet scholars from Majority World are often left out. Books are expensive for us, and more so with the unfavourable exchange rate. For example, based on today’s exchange rate of US$1 = RM4.00, I would have to fork out RM248 for Longenecker’s Romans commentary (if I were to purchase it from Amazon.com including the shipping cost) or RM312 (if I were to purchase it through Bookdepository). How many of us could afford paying such a high price for a commentary (which is almost equivalent to 1/3 of our minimum monthly wage in Malaysia)? If those in the West could lament that the price of US$50-60 for a commentary like this is expensive, how much more expensive it is for us in the Majority World who are drawing a much lower income level!
Perhaps it is time book retailers in Malaysia and publishers like Eerdmans could work together and offer such benefits to those of us in the Majority World. My dream is that scholars, pastors, and seminarians in Malaysia would be able to build their personal library with excellent commentaries and other references and use them effectively in their teaching and preaching ministry. Until then, I shall continue to dream that Eerdmans Commentary Club will be a reality for the Malaysian market.
Perhaps it is time book retailers in Malaysia and publishers like Eerdmans could work together and offer such benefits to those of us in the Majority World. My dream is that scholars, pastors, and seminarians in Malaysia would be able to build their personal library with excellent commentaries and other references and use them effectively in their teaching and preaching ministry. Until then, I shall continue to dream that Eerdmans Commentary Club will be a reality for the Malaysian market.
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