Biblical Theology: Past, Present, and Future (I)
Southwestern Journal of Theology
Volume 55, No. 2 – Spring 2013
Managing Editor: Terry L. Wilder
Leslie Allen has set out to accomplish a significant task. Combining his years of chaplaincy experience with his expertise in scholarship, he has attempted to fuse the two worlds extracting truths from one which speak to the other. He uses Israel’s tragedy as a backdrop to force the reader to confront the very real issues of pain and suffering and to reconcile them with faith. His book serves as a commentary on a very practical Old Testament book as well as a guide to dealing with suffering today.
Allen explains his goal for the book in the preface as an endeavor to “integrate biblical scholarship and pastoral care” (ix). From the very first pages and consistently throughout the text, he has achieved that goal. He helps the reader identify both the needs that are being expressed and the different perspectives of the voices who are expressing them.
The outline of the book is simple and clear. The introduction outlines the context by explaining the hurt behind the text, identifies the voices in the narrative, delineates some of the critical issues the book will address, and presents a challenge to caregivers today dealing with those who grieve. Next, the five chapters in the commentary correspond with the chapters in the book of Lamentations.
In the first two chapters, the author addresses the grief, guilt, and the need for prayer. In the third chapter, Allen explains how the writer of the third poem is personally identified with the grief, and throughout the chapter articulates the emotions behind their struggle to come to grips with the tragedy that has befallen them. Those emotions come across in the book, according to Allen as a “comprehensive mingling of … nostalgic yearning, deep sadness, and angry protest” (20). The third poem, both in form and content, functions as a highlight and turning point in the nations’ struggle. The genius of the structure of this poem draws the reader’s attention to the anguish as well as the frequent personal interjections of the author’s thoughts. Juxtaposing the poet’s grief is his awareness of the character of God and his faithfulness in the past. Even calling that to mind, the author begins to show signs of hope and healing (3:22-24).
In chapter four, Allen explains how the community confronts the sins which caused God’s judgment. Even the expression of the infliction of Yahweh’s punishment lends hope to a time when the retribution will be completed and the nation will be restored.
Chapter five, according to Allen, realizes the goal of the previous four poems (145). The nation turns its attention to the Lord. The crisis is not over, and neither is their frustration, but their focus is in the right direction. Their attention turns from the past to the present and the chapter ends with a hopeful look to the future.
One of the strengths of the book is Allen’s use of imagery and illustration. Throughout the commentary, he helps the reader see how the issues with which Israel dealt are still relevant today. Moreover, his writing style is clear and easy to follow. The author builds the commentary on his own translation of Lamentations. The fruit of his language research is seen throughout with fresh word pictures. For example, Allen translates the Hebrew word ekhah as “how terrible that” (35). He explains that the word expresses emotional intensity. Moreover, his elucidation of the writer’s use of Hebrew alliteration enhances the reader’s understanding of Hebrew poetry. Finally, Allen demonstrates how Lamentations fits within the context of the Old Testament and how the book influenced and was influenced by other prophetic writings.
Allen’s work will enhance the reader’s understanding of the book of Lamentations as well as give them tools to equip them for dealing with grief and the theological questions it produces. The book is more than a commentary; it’s a resource for training healers and for helping people heal.
