Daniel: God's Control Over Rulers and Nations (MacArthur Bible Studies)

Another great bible study by John MacArthur. This book is an excellent source of background information, related scriptures, and questions for a personal or group study of Daniel.

Dr. John does his usual great in helping understand a tough subject

This study of Daniel by John MacArthur is detailed and specific - well written with helpful information along with each scripture and lesson. It is not an easy or superficial glance at the book of Daniel, but a deeper look into the lessons therein to really understand its message.

I read this book as I am currently researching a small book that I intend to publish on the various interpretations of Daniel’s 70th week. John MacArthur is a Dispensational Futurist in his eschatology.
I was taught Futurism at the Baptist churches that I used to attend, but I bought this book as a refresher on that school of thought. I intend to carefully study Daniel’s 70th week from all three perspectives before publishing my own book .
First of all, MacArthur does not use the KJV; he uses the NKJV. In at least one area where the NKJV is not corrupted like the NIV, MacArthur corrupts it with his margin notes. For example, in the story of the fiery furnace, both the KJV and the NKJV record Nebuchadnezzar as proclaiming that the fourth man looked “like the Son of God” –a clear acknowledgement of Christ. MacArthur’s margin notes state that the king called the fourth man “a son of the gods (a common pagan phrase for supernatural beings)”. Whoa. That is what the NIV does, an attack on the divinity of Christ by claiming that a pre-incarnate appearance of Christ either was not or was not recognized as such.
As anyone who has studied theology knows, there are three basic schools of thought on prophecy: Preterist, Historicist, and Futurist. Futurist predominates today, but did not 150 plus years ago. While MacArthur briefly mentions millennial positions, he does not even acknowledge the existence of Preterism or Historicism, much less refute their VERY different interpretations of the 70th week. MacArthur just enters a comment on the verse as if there is no question to it and no other possible alternate meaning, often without attempted correlation to other scriptures. No systematic proof of his comment, much less systematic disproof of opposing viewpoints. He just said it and expects his readers to unquestioningly assume it is correct, which most of them probably will blindly do.
For anyone who has read Reformation writings or Bible commentaries like Matthew Henry or John Gill, this book of MacArthurs’ will seem very weak. MacArthur sees much of Daniels prophecies as Jewish centered, not Christ and the church centered. While he cannot deny the past fulfillment of Daniel 2, which Daniel interprets, most of MacArthurs’ commentary is nothing but Zionist centered Futurist speculations.
This book was very weak. I do not even have a degree in theology, but I would be embarrassed to put my name on a book of this quality. This book is to Reformation era thought what kindergarten is to high school.

In depth study of Daniel SO rich. Thank you, Dr. MacArthur for ALL the work you do in writing to honor God and provide us with the resources to get to know Him and love Him deeply too!

A friend and I will be doing this study together. She first got her copy at a thrift store. I was very pleased to find the same book online. A previous owner had made a couple of notes in it; this is no problem for me.

Heavy reading about the Providence.

Outstanding study. Great for groups.

This book is insightful and I am using it to teach on prophecy at my church.

Our Bible study group has really benefited from reading Daniel and having this book to go along with our study! I do recommend it for bible study groups.