Authentic Christianity
Southwestern Journal of Theology
Volume 53, No. 2 – Spring 2011
Managing Editor: Malcolm B. Yarnell III
By Andrew E. Hill and John H. Walton. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2009. 799 pages. Hardcover, $49.99.
At first glance, it is immediately clear that the third edition of Hill and Walton’s Survey is expanded over the second edition (608 pages in the second edition versus 799 pages in the current volume). But bigger is not better; better is better. This volume is better.
The most notable improvement is in the graphics. Numerous color pictures, charts, and maps have either been added or improved to make this volume much more aesthetically attractive.
While the text of this most recent edition is largely the same as previous versions, some new content has been added, along with expanded further reading sections, discussion questions, a summary of the outline of each chapter, some recent archeological discoveries pertinent to Old Testament studies, and an update on a couple of dates. In addition, the organization of the material is greatly improved. Moreover, helpful sections on worship and the use of the Old Testament in the New Testament have been added at the end of the text.
While these improvements make this volume attractive, a few drawbacks remain. The most critical weakness of this volume is that it fails to correct some of the errors from its previous editions. First, there is a biblical reference error in the preface (11). Second, the opening statement in the chapter on Jeremiah seems either inaccurate or, at least, needs clarification. The authors state that “The book of Jeremiah occupies more space in the Bible than any other book” (534). That statement is not true with reference to the actual text space (unless one counts the book of Psalms as five books instead of one); it is not true of the amount of time covered in the book; nor is it the most frequently quoted Old Testament book in the New Testament. Perhaps the writers have another condition in mind that makes that statement accurate, but it is not clear in the text. Third, in a couple of places, the text could have been clearer on the distinctions between the roles or relationship of Sheshbazzar and Zerubbabel. The text credits Sheshbazzar with leading the initial group of returnees (679), which to be sure is so-mentioned in Ezra 1:8-11; however, the authors do not mention Ezra 2:2, which clearly references Zerubbabel as one of the key leaders of the return. Later, the text credits Sheshbazzar with laying the foundation of the Temple (680), which Ezra 5:16 stipulates, but the authors fail to reference Ezra 3:8- 13, which credits Zerubbabel with beginning that work. Fourth, the text incorrectly references Habakkuk instead of Haggai (680). Finally, the authors state that the first deportation of Israel by the Babylonians took place in 597 BC (535); however, they later claim that the first stage of the deportation actually took place in 605 BC (572).
Nevertheless, despite these concerns, Hill and Walton should be commended for their work on the Survey and also for the improvements that this volume contains. It is a textbook that should be considered by faculty planning on teaching a survey course in Old Testament and by students interested in learning about the subject.
