Ridley Hall, Cambridge

Resources: Biblical Studies Bulletin 10

Issue 10: Dec 1998

News Briefs

• The annual British New Testament Conference met in Glasgow in September, and one of the largest crowds ever (125+) gathered for discussion, debate, book buying, and gossip. The Paul seminar remains the largest subgroup in the conference.
• Professor C.F.D. Moule (affectionately known to many as 'Charlie') celebrated his 90th birthday on December 3rd, and delighted many of us by leading a seminar in Cambridge earlier in the week. He summarized with remarkable clarity his essays reprinted recently in the book Forgiveness and Reconciliation (Cambridge University Press). Although written many years ago, these essays have stood the test of time and offer a wealth of insight.
• Other new books of note appearing recently include C.K. Barrett's second volume on Acts (ICC, T&T Clark); Bruce Longenecker's The Triumph of Abraham's God: The Transformation of Identity in Galatians (T&T Clark)helpful for an appreciation of the new perspective on Paul; and William Horbury's Messianism and the Cult of Christ (SCM). The latter is a sensible, technical study that clarifies Jewish messianic expectations in the time of Jesus.
• The Chelmsford Paul Seminar is beginning a study relating chiastic structure and cognitive dissonance; watch this space for more details.

A Letter to the Editor

R. Bridge writes from London:

Why in the Matthew Commentary Survey (BSB issue 4) was Don Carson's commentary left out?

Why indeed? I can't speak for David Graham who wrote the survey (we have now deducted half of his royalty for writing the piece), but I certainly should have spotted the omission. Carson's massive 600 page commentary is one of the most thorough evangelical discussions of Matthew. Unfortunately until recently it was hidden away in volume 8 of the Expositor's Bible Commentary (ed. F. Gaebelein; Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1984). That series has not been known for providing particularly detailed, ground-breaking study of the text (other exceptional contributions are R.N. Longenecker on Acts and M.J. Harris on 2 Corinthians), and Carson's work is one of its best kept secrets. Thanks for bringing it to light.

How about it, folk? What else have we been missing?

Comments on Commentaries

An assessment of commentaries on a book of the Old & New Testament to keep you up to date with what will help in preaching and teaching in the local church.

OT: Ecclesiastes

Ecclesiastes is one of the OT wisdom books. Sayings from Ecclesiastes are widely quoted and referred to in Western culture but the book as a whole is less well known.

At the turn of the century Ecclesiastes was subjected to historical critical scrutiny and the attempt to discern a variety of sources in Ecclesiastes is well reflected in G.A. Barton's commentary (ICC, T&T Clark, 1912). In the course of the twentieth century scholars have moved away from the fragmentation of Ecclesiastes into sources and have increasingly come to recognise its unity. R. Gordis' mid-century commentary (Koheleth - The Man and His World, Schoken Books, 1951) is a good example of this trend. R.N. Whybray (Ecclesiastes, Old Testament Guides, 1989) is a useful introduction to the present state of scholarship on Ecclesiastes.

Moderate critical commentaries which largely read Ecclesiastes as a unity and are helpful theologically are R.N. Whybray (New Century Bible Commentary, 1989) and R.E. Murphy (Word Biblical Commentary, Word, 1992). However these still tend to see the epilogue as a later addition to the book. How exactly we read Ecclesiastes as a whole and relate the joy passages to the vanity passages remains a controversial point.

The literary turn in biblical interpretation has reopened discussion about the shape of Ecclesiastes as a whole and is proving very fruitful in reading the book. J.A. Loader (Text and Interpretation, Eerdmans, 1986) uses structuralist insights to analyse the polar opposites in Qoheleth's thought. T.A. Perry (Dialogues with Koheleth, Philadelphia, 1993) analyses Ecclesiastes as a dialogue. A.G. Wright has used new critical insights to great effect in his very useful analysis (see The New Jerome Bible Commentary, London, 1990). M. Fox has done the most exciting work on a narrative approach to Ecclesiastes (Qoheleth and His Contradictions, Almond, 1989). Fox's conclusions are controversial but his discussion of Qoheleth's epistemology and the narrative shape of Ecclesiastes are very important for a theological reading of the work as a whole. Tremper Longman (New International Commentary on the OT, 1998) has utilized Fox's insights to argue that Qoheleth's pessimistic speeches are framed by a narrator who warns in the epilogue against the speculative wisdom of Qoheleth.

In my opinion, the best recent commentary on Ecclesiastes is that by G. Ogden (Readings, JSOT, 1987). Ogden sides with those scholars who read Ecclesiastes as ultimately affirming faith and joy rather than pessimism (such as J.L. Crenshaw, Old Testament Library, SCM, 1988). J. Ellul's Reason for Being (Eerdmans, 1990) and the Tyndale commentary by M.A. Eaton (1983) are also most useful for a theological reading of Ecclesiastes. D. Fredericks (Coping with Transience, Sheffield, 1993) interprets Ecclesiastes as struggling with the transience of life.

At a popular level, D. Kidner (Bible Speaks Today, 1976) still points the reader in the right direction. I recommend Ogden, to be supplemented by Fox, and Murphy for exegetical detail.

[Ed: Also available are C.L. Seow's volume in the Anchor Bible (1997) and Kathleen Farmer's Who Knows What is Good? A Commentary on the Books of Proverbs and Ecclesiastes in the International Theological Commentary series (Eerdmans, 1991). Craig's book, Reading Ecclesiastes, has just been published in the Analecta Biblica series (Rome)]

NT: Colossians and Philemon

Thankfully there is no shortage of good commentaries on Paul's letters to the Colossian church and to Philemon who lived in Colossae. Although written over a century ago, J.B. Lightfoot's work remains in print and a classic on the Greek text. C.F.D. Moule's Cambridge Greek Testament Commentary (Cambridge, 1957) is still also worth consulting for insights, particularly for those with a grammatical bent.

Those looking for a contribution from German scholarship are well served by Eduard Lohse on the Greek text in the Hermeneia series (Philadelphia, Fortress, 1971). Like most German scholars, Lohse accepts Philemon as authentic, but he considers Colossians to be pseudonymous, i.e. not from the apostle Paul but from someone influenced by his teaching. Lohse comes to this conclusion because of what he perceives to be significant differences in theology between Colossians and the undisputed letters of Paul. Others adopting this line also include Eduard Schweizer (London: SPCK, 1982) and more recently, Roy Yates (Epworth, London, 1993) on the English text.

Most British scholars have nevertheless continued to favour Pauline authorship of Colossians. Ralph Martin reads Colossians this way in his New Century Bible commentary (London: Oliphants, 1973), and in his briefer volume noted below. Often overlooked, but worthwhile is G.B. Caird's commentary in Paul's Letters from Prison (New Clarendon Bible, Oxford, 1976), bound with other short treatments of Ephesians and Philippians. Neither of these works require Greek.

Those looking for exposition over exegesis can choose between R.C. Lucas's Fullness and Freedom in the Bible Speaks Today series (Leicester: IVP, 1980), Ralph Martin's thin volume in the Interpretation series (Atlanta: John Knox, 1991), and Robert W. Wall's more recent IVP NT commentary (1993).

More substantial and very helpful for scholars is Peter T. O'Brien's work in the Word Biblical Commentary series (Waco: Word, 1982). His dense, thorough study is superb for students of the Greek text. N.T. Wright's little Tyndale New Testament Commentary (Leicester: IVP, 1986, replacing an earlier volume by H. Carson) lacks the technical fine print and footnotes, but sparkles as a well-written and clear way into the English text of the two letters. These works by O'Brien and Wright are some of the finest books in their respective series.

Murray J. Harris, formerly Warden of Tyndale House, has written a valuable contribution on Colossians and Philemon in a new series of Exegetical Guides to the Greek New Testament (Eerdmans, 1991). This book differs from others by focusing mainly on grammatical and translation issues in the text without interacting much with secondary literature. Harris was a classics scholar before he began to study the NT, and his book is a unique resource for people who want to take their Greek on to a new level.

Of the most recent works that have appeared, James D.G. Dunn's is superb (New International Greek Testament Commentary, Carlisle: Paternoster, 1996). Markus Barth's Anchor Bible contribution (New York: Doubleday, 1994) and John M.G. Barclay's introductory book in the Sheffield New Testament Guides series (1997) should be good value, but I haven't used them yet.

Of the works above, Wright offers a good starting point for anyone. Teachers and scholars will do well to go on to Dunn, O'Brien, and probably Barclay.

Humour: In the Style of Leviticus

(The following appeared on the Internet some time ago; apologies for Americanisms)

Household Principles for Children from the Old Testament
- Lamentations of the Father by Ian Frazier

Laws of Forbidden Places

Of the beasts of the field, and of the fishes of the sea, and of all foods that are acceptable in my sight you may eat, but not in the living room.

Of the hoofed animals, broiled or ground into burgers, you may eat, but not in the living room. Of the cloven-hoofed animal, plain or with cheese, you may eat, but not in the living room. Of the cereal grains, the corn and of the wheat and of the oats, and of all the cereals that are of bright colour and unknown provenance you may eat, but not in the living room.

Of quiescently frozen dessert and of all frozen after-meal treats you may eat, but absolutely not in the living room. Of the juices and other beverages, yes, even of those in sippy-cups, you may drink, but not in the living room, neither may you carry such therein. Indeed, when you reach the place where the living room carpet begins, of any food or beverage there you may not eat, neither may you drink. But if you are sick, and are lying down and watching something, then may you eat in the living room.

Laws When at Table

And if you are seated in your high chair, or in a chair such as a greater person might use, keep your legs and feet below you as they were. Neither raise up your knees, nor place your feet upon the table, for that is an abomination to me. Yes, even when you have an interesting bandage to show, your feet upon the table are an abomination, and worthy of rebuke.

Drink your milk as it is given you, neither use on it any utensils, nor fork, nor knife, nor spoon, for that is not what they are for; if you will dip your blocks in the milk, and lick it off, you will be sent away.

When you have drunk, let the empty cup then remain upon the table, and do not bite it upon its edge and by your teeth hold it to your face in order to make noises in it sounding like a duck: for you will be sent away.

When you chew your food, keep your mouth closed until you have swallowed, and do not open it to show your brother or your sister what is within; I say to you, do not so, even if your brother or your sister has done the same to you.

Eat your food only; do not eat that which is not food; neither seize the table between your jaws, nor use the raiment of the table to wipe your lips. I say again to you, do not touch it, but leave it as it is.

And though your stick of carrot does indeed resemble a marker, draw not with it upon the table, even in pretend, for we do not do that, that is why. And though the pieces of broccoli are very like small trees, do not stand them upright to make a forest, because we do not do that, that is why.

Sit just as I have told you, and do not lean to one side or the other, nor slide down until you are nearly slid away. Heed me; for if you sit like that, your hair will go into the syrup. And now behold, even as I have said, it has come to pass.

(Ed: If there is sufficient positive response, our next issue will include the rest of the piece, including: Laws Pertaining to Dessert; On Screaming; Concerning Face and Hands; and Various Other Laws, Statutes and Ordinances.)

Computer Corner

• The makers of Accordance for the Mac (see BSB Issue 2) now offer a powerful Bible Atlas module that can help you produce custom maps for OHP transparencies and handouts. Go to http://www.oaksoft.com  for more details.
• Dr Justin Meggitt, has put together a very helpful website with links to a number of useful sites for biblical resources. Go to http://www.jesus.cam.ac.uk/~jjm1000/
  Justin is the author of Paul, Poverty and Survival, published by T & T Clark, 1998.
• Conrad Gempf, Lecturer in New Testament at London Bible College, points us to two more websites that may be of interest:
  http://www.lst.ac.uk/  (home of a monthly LBC webzine)
  http://ship-of-fools.com
  He notes that the CCAT offers free Greek and Hebrew texts in ASCII form, which allow people to search and copy texts using the tools already familiar in one's own word processor. Years ago, Conrad produced his own Greek typeface ('Corinth') for the Apple Mac, and Corinth is still available for free downloading from Durham University (see the link on the LBC website).

Grove Biblical Series

This month's booklet is Can Balaam's Ass Speak Today? Despite the slightly tongue-in-cheek title, this is a serious (and inspiring) case study in reading the OT as Scripture, written by Walter Moberley, lecturer in theology at Durham University.

Rather than set out abstract principles for reading the OT as Scripture, Dr Moberly offers the story of Balaam and his ass as a case study after all, we would not buy a car before taking it for a test drive, so why accept theories about reading Scripture before seeing how they work out? His reading of the story demonstrates how even this difficult passage can speak to us about God as Christians, as we read with total imaginative seriousness. A refreshing and illuminating study.