Ridley Hall, Cambridge

Resources: Biblical Studies Bulletin 23

Issue 23: Mar 2002

News Briefs

The Scripture and Hermeneutics Project

Much is at stake in the Bible being an open book for the church and our culture. Unfortunately, a strong case can be made that the Bible is increasingly closed to our culturebiblical illiteracy is rampant and the message of the Bible is not taken seriously in public life. Academic study of the Bible has sometimes reinforced the image of the Bible as a relic of the past with little to say to the present. An exciting new initiative, The Scripture and Hermeneutics Seminar, aims to facilitate a renewal of the interpretation of the Bible as God's Word in the academy.

The Seminar is a partnership between the University of Gloucestershire and the Bible Society. Each year the Seminar brings together some 40 inter-disciplinary, international Christian scholars [Ed: including Dr Ian Paul, Managing Editor of Grove Books] somewhere in the world to address a key issue that relates to renewing biblical interpretation. Out of this process an eight volume series of books is being published. The first volume Renewing Biblical Interpretation (2001) has recently been followed by After Pentecost: Language and Biblical Interpretation. Future volumes will deal with topics such as the use of the Bible ethically and politically, history and biblical interpretation, and biblical theology and interpretation.

Dr Craig Bartholomew, Lecturer in Old Testament, University of Gloucestershire

(Craig is a co-editor of the first two volumes, and a member of the Grove Biblical Group)

The Bible in Lego

Brilliant, but sad. Graham Collingridge alerts us to the existence of 'The Brick Testament', a rendition of Bible stories in Lego. Yes, Lego. Brendan Powell Smith (self-styled 'The Reverend') is a 28 year-old webworker in San Francisco who has spent more than £2000 on over 100 Lego kits. His website features 33 biblical episodes cleverly posed in Lego and skilfully digitized in hundreds of photos. It has to be seen to be believed ( http://www.thereverend.com/brick_testament/index.html ).

Some of it is amusing and ingenious; some may give offense. Smith is a self-proclaimed atheist (although raised an Episcopalian) with a degree in philosophy and religion, and wants to confront 'those who believe in an all-loving and merciful, family-values-supporting God' with 'the barbarous, grotesque and heinous stories from the divinely-inspired book their religion is based on'. The site includes a rating system warning of violence, nudity, sexual content and cursing.

By and large Smith is doing little more than confronting us with the texts. But some episodes are carefully selected and edited (e.g. the Eutychus story ends with his death) to make Smith's points. Others show the texts through conservative American hermeneutical spectacles (notably the sections on teaching about women) and so highlight problematic issues. Those looking for another way to illustrate biblical stories may find some inspiration here. Many will be left pondering what turned such creativity and potential against the Creator.

Editor's Ramble

Having just finished teaching a new course on 1 Corinthians, I found Richard B Hays' commentary in the Interpretation series (Westminster John Knox, 1997) to be succinct and superb. I knew Fee was excellent, and Tony Thiselton's recent NIGTC tome has more information than I could ever squeeze into class, but Hays has been consistently clear and helpful to a desperate man with limited time. Vicars and teachers looking for insight, don't miss this gem (£15.70 from Amazon.co.uk).

Books in Brief

John Rogerson, The Psalms in Daily Life. (SPCK, 2001. ISBN: 0281051410)

This is a new translation of 42 of the psalms, together with brief comments by the author, an eminent Old Testament scholar. The notes are a revision of some writing for BRF Guideline. The remarks are necessarily very selective, but succeed in saying something both about the psalm and about the contemporary world in a way that is neither superficial nor trivial. It would be a useful volume for those who know the psalms well and desire some fresh perspectives and thoughts on some of the less well-known psalms. Or it could be the basis for discussion by a Bible study group.

Steven S Tuell, First and Second Chronicles. (John Knox, 2001. ISBN: 0664255914)

For many books of the OT my number one recommendation for preachers is often the Interpretation Series, since it concentrates on the literary and theological dimensions of the text and does not get lost in the detail. This is certainly true for Tuell's discussion of two of the longer and more neglected books of the OT. At 252 pages he is not able to go into detail on anything much (even the Tyndale commentary by M. Selman is much longer). However, he maintains a commendable rhythm of comment on the text itself, the place of Chronicles in the OT (especially its relation to Kings), and its relevance for the church today. He is aware of the need to defend the book against those who tend to ignore or despise its distinctive approach. For example he argues that Chronicles is a Bible study, 'an extended meditation on the Hebrew Scriptures.' As such it has a vital relevance for preachers and teachers who are engaged in much the same thing today, and who are called to exercise the same virtues of imagination, theological awareness, and an eye for how to address this generation of the people of God.

Revd Dr Philip Jenson, Lecturer in Old Testament, Trinity Bristol

Letters to the Editor

On the earth-shattering publication of back issues of BSB on the Web (which ardent searchers will have found at http://www.ridley.cam.ac.uk/ridley_news.html ), Roger Pooley (a past Grove author) writes from the English Department at Keele University:

A quick thank-you for making this available. I have been a regular subscriber to the paper edition, but found myself needing to find a good Psalms commentary away from my filesand I could do it! So thank you for that, and for the unfailing helpfulness and good humour of the Bulletin itself.

Thanks for the encouraging words. BSB is scaling new heights to be studied in English departments. For what it's worth, here is a quick index to all of the commentary surveys published so far; the number after each book is the BSB issue:

Genesis (11)	1 & 2 Kings (3)	Daniel (5)	John (11)	Colossians & Philemon (10)
Exodus (15)	1 & 2 Chronicles (18)	Amos (14)	Acts (12)	1 & 2 Thessalonians (15)
Leviticus (16)	Ezra & Nehemiah (17)	Jonah (1)	Romans (3)	Pastorals (19)
Numbers (2)	Job (7)	Micah (8)	1 Corinthians (8)	James (16)
Deuteronomy (12)	Psalms (4)	Zechariah (13)	2 Corinthians (7)	1 Peter (21)
Judges (9)	Ecclesiastes (10)	Matthew (4)	Galatians (2)	Revelation (1,14)
Ruth (17)	Song of Songs (22)	Mark (9)	Ephesians (13)
1 & 2 Samuel (23)	Isaiah (6)	Luke (6)	Philippians (5)

After last issue's Apple Mac diatribe, John Dray was moved to email the following:

Looking at the 'Computer Corner' I see mention of a Bible program for the Apple Mac. If your readers are interested, Logos (www.logos.com) provides all of those books and many more (on Windows). I have used the Logos software for many years and it continues to move from strength to strength. The latest incarnation is particularly powerful. I have no contact with the above company, except as a satisfied customer. Hope this information is useful. Thanks!

Victor Perry also responded:

Your advocacy of the Mac may be appreciated hereI would not be allowed to have anything elsebut there is another side to this. Much software is issued only in PC format. The latest I have come across is the English Standard Version of the Bible, which comes with a CDWindows only. My email to the publishers has not been answered. Yes, there is 'Virtual PC' (software which enables a Mac to emulate a PC), but a person with my level of computer competence finds it a bother to use.

I sympathize. VPC is not too bad if you can find a version that installs Windows 95 instead of later Windows systems which require more horsepower and are slower. I use VPC regularly to run management software for the hubs on our network. This limited experience with the Windows interface has confirmed my addiction to Apples.

Humour

From James Blandford Baker, gifted vicar and typesetter of Grove Books, comes this. Surely it did not originate from him...

God tells Noah, 'OK, I want you to build another ark. Only this time, I want it tiered in several levels.' Noah looks puzzled.

'A second arktieredseveral levels."

'You've got it,' says God. 'But this time, no animalsjust fish."

'Fish?' asks Noah.

'That's itand not just any fishcarp.'

'Wait a minute, Lord,' says Noah, 'you want me to build an ark, several levels, just to hold carp? Why, Lord?' God replies,

'Because I want a multi-storey carp ark.'

Readers accustomed to the usual standard of humour in BSB will recognize, in the inclusion of the above piece, a cry for help from the Editor.

Comments on Commentaries

An assessment of commentaries and other works on books of the Bible to keep you up to date with what will help in preaching and teaching in the local church.

OT: 1 and 2 Samuel

The increasing interest in narrative texts has perhaps played a part in the growing attention paid to the books of Samuel in recent years. Whatever the reason, since about 1970 a paucity of good material in English has become almost an abundance. Within the newer commentaries the previous concentration on fairly technical literary and socio-political issues has been supplemented by a range of fascinating material on the theological implications of the unfolding story. This means that in general preachers are much better served than was the case in the past.

Of commentaries prior to 1970, H W Hertzberg (OTL; SCM, 1964 ) is worth looking at. It is quite dated now, but still a good resource especially for literary critical and other introductory questions. If you can get hold of it, A F Kirkpatrick, (CUP, 1888 and 1889) provides a fascinating example of how earlier questions can return. Any technical material is superseded now but it was important in its day and is still worth consulting.

As far as modern commentaries are concerned, R P Gordon, (Paternoster 1986, and OT Guide, Sheffield, 1984) is one of the best writers on Samuel, combining excellent readable scholarship with a real feel for the text. If you can only have access to one book, make it one of these; the Paternoster volume for clergy and theological students or the shorter OT Guide for 'educated lay-people'. W Brueggemann, (Interpretation; John Knox, 1990) is probably the best commentary for convincing readers of the reality and relevance of the people and events described. A good read in its own right.

R W Klein (1983) and A A Anderson (1989) in the Word series both provide good academic reflection, and are recommended for theological students. Klein is better on the technical material than on applied comment and in Anderson sometimes the story gets a bit lost in the detail, but both are good background resources and are certainly worth looking at. J Mauchline, (NCB; Oliphants, 1971) is a good solid back-up commentary, not as inspiring as Gordon or Brueggemann but with some excellent insights. Although P K McCarter, (Anchor Bible; Doubleday, 1980, 1984) is less strong on the comment sections, he is worth consulting for the textual and literary notes. P R Ackroyd's volumes (CUP 1971, 1977) are more like annotated translation than commentary but have solid introductory sections and are helpful for those who like to work with the NEB.

Joyce Baldwin's Tyndale OT commentary (IVP, 1988) provides a good sound approach, fairly easy to read although sometimes short on detail. It would be a helpful resource for Bible Study leaders. My own volume (NIBC; Hendrickson, 2000) is fairly light on the introductory issues but is an accessible and user-friendly study which will hopefully provide a useful resource for preachers. G Robinson (International Theological Commentary; Eerdmans, 1993) is not as heavy as the series title implies. It provides interesting reflections on the text, but is really quite lightweight.

Two study guides deserve a mention. D R Davis's I Samuel: Looking on the Heart (Christian Focus Publications, 2000) is a helpful example of how to make good quality exegesis accessible to the ordinary Christian. The style is informal and user-friendly. The illustrations are very American but a good house-group resource. D C Hester's contribution to the Interpretation Bible Studies series (Geneva Press, 2000) is produced as 10 studies for US-style adult Sunday School classes. It is perhaps a bit heavy for the average UK house-group but an excellent resource for group leaders or preachers.

Mary Evans, Lecturer in Old Testament at London Bible College

Computer Corner

• Ken Hamel's Online Bible (Mac and PC) is still perhaps the best value for money Bible software available, and it's now been updated. The deluxe edition for the Mac comes with over 130 resources including the NRSV, NIV, NLT and many other versions, plus a printed User's Manual for only $89.95 [about £63] (Windows version $79.95), plus $5 shipping; orders can be placed online (securely) with a credit card. For more information go to
  http://www.online-bible.com/maconlinebible.htm.
• Version 5.0 of Bibleworks (http://www.BibleWorks.com) from Hermeneutika is now available. See http://www.BibleWorks.com/reviews.htm for reviews and comparisons.
• Dr David Brewer at Tyndale House points those who lack Bible software to http://bible.crosswalk.com/InterlinearBible/, where they can find basic tools (but based on the KJV and NASV). For Greek and Hebrew texts he also suggests http://unbound.biola.edu and http://unbound.biola.edu/zips/index.cfm?lang=English
• Eikon (http://eikon.divinity.yale.edu/eikon.taf) is an ongoing joint project of faculty and librarians at Yale Divinity School, seeking to provide nearly 700 teaching and research images from the field of biblical studies. Categories include biblical book, geographical location, cultural affiliation, object type, and topic. The collection contains the personal slides of such renowned scholars as Leander Keck and Wayne Meeks.