Authentic Christianity
Southwestern Journal of Theology
Volume 53, No. 2 – Spring 2011
Managing Editor: Malcolm B. Yarnell III
Edited by Kevin J. Vanhoozer. Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, 2008. 336 pages. Paperback, $19.99.
One cannot help but applaud the goal of any work that attempts to make theology practical. To that end, the stated goal of this work is to compose a volume that combines the interests in “academic study of the Bible with a passionate commitment to making this scholarship of use to the church” (15). The work seeks to accomplish this by providing “biblical interpreters with examples of best interpretive practice” (17). Overall, that goal has been accomplished. This volume is a resource for students and pastors interested in rightly dividing the Word of Truth.
The articles in this work are taken from the Dictionary for Theological Interpretation of the Bible. The authors chosen are noted scholars and represent a variety of theological backgrounds and denominations. Vanhoozer admits that the various authors approach the interpretation of the text from at least three different perspectives, but sees that as representative of the discipline and a strength of the approach of this text. Some of the authors approach the text with an interest in demonstrating God’s hand in the authorship of the text. Others, according to Vanhoozer, focus only on the final form of the text, with little interest in the questions of authorship; still others highlight the influence of the text on contemporary believing communities (23–24).
The organization of the text is simple and effective. The book begins with an Introduction by Vanhoozer, who outlines the book and defines the point and purpose of theological interpretation of the Bible. Despite being the identical Introduction to the companion New Testament volume in the series, Vanhoozer’s chapter effectively defines the content, goals, and approaches of the work. Next, this work includes 36 chapters (with the books of Samuel, Kings, and Chronicles combined into one chapter each) covering every book of the Old Testament.
Each chapter includes sections on the history of interpretation, a brief discussion of the content and the message of the biblical book, the role of that book in the canon, and a concluding section that focuses on the contemporary use of that biblical book in the church today or relevant theological issues that derive from the study of the book. Several sections demonstrate careful forethought in the organization, including the employment of the same author ( John Bimson) for both Ezra and Nehemiah, and the assigning of chapters to scholars who have written previously in the field (e.g. Wenham on Genesis, McConville on Joshua, Throntveit on Chronicles, Bartholomew on Ecclesiastes, and Longman on Songs).
The authors demonstrate a solid, thorough approach to the text combined with an intentional focus on making the message practical today. The articles are well-researched with enough documentation and bibliography to focus interested readers towards further research in the field.
The brevity of the volume will likely leave serious students unfulfilled. Moreover, given the space parameters for each chapter, detailed discussions on themes and topics is not possible. Finally, the volume would be strengthened by the addition of a chapter presenting a general overview of theological interpretation throughout the Old Testament.
Ultimately, for the quality of scholarship presented, the scope of the text, and the affordability of a one-volume study, this book is a valuable asset for any student of the Bible. It is a resource that will not just sit on the shelf; it is likely to be read and reread for interest and reference for a lifetime.
