Ridley Hall, Cambridge

Resources: Biblical Studies Bulletin 30

Issue 30: Dec 2003

Homosexuality and the Bible

This was in fact the title of the first booklet in the biblical series (M Bonnington and B Fyall, Homosexuality and the Bible, Grove Biblical Series 1; Cambridge: Grove Books, 1996), and the issue has hardly been laid to rest. For those wishing to read in more detail I have come across three outstanding books on the topic.

The longest book with the most detailed examination of the relevant passages is Robert A J Gagnon, The Bible and Homosexual Practice: Texts and Hermeneutics (Nashville, TN: Abingdon, 2001). It is scholarly, sophisticated and also discusses the wider interpretive aspects of the debate.

The second is William J. Webb, Slaves, Women & Homosexuals: Exploring the Hermeneutics of Cultural Analysis (Downers Grove, Ill: InterVarsity Press, 2001). This is a more general discussion of how we can distinguish what is culturally relative from what is transculturally normative, and he sets out no fewer than eighteen criteria that may need to be examined. It is striking that many of these criteria suggest that the issue of women in leadership positions is one different in kind from that of homosexual practice, although you might already be aware of this if you have read R T France, A Slippery Slope? The Ordination of Women and Homosexual Practice: A Case Study in Biblical Interpretation (Grove Biblical Series 16; Cambridge: Grove, 2000).

The third and briefest discussion is Andrew Goddard and Peter Walker, True Union in the Body? A Contribution to the Discussion Within the Anglican Communion Concerning the Public Blessing of Same-Sex Unions (Cambridge: Grove, 2003, available from www.grovebooks.co.uk). At just over 60 pages it is the briefest (and cheapest!) by a long way, but it contains a remarkably concise and comprehensive discussion of the issue, and includes a fine biblical theological chapter. Admittedly all of these come to conservative conclusions, but I have been disappointed by the quality of argument about the biblical material from other points of view. Readers are invited to suggest exceptions to this observation, but in the meanwhile these three books make a significant contribution to the ongoing debate.

Philip Jenson, Trinity College, Bristol

Books in Brief

Ruth B Edwards Discovering John (London: SPCK, 2003) x +195 pp; £14.99 pb; ISBN 0-281-05403-7. This introduction to John's gospel, by a seasoned and shrewd university teacher, is compact, clear and highly informative, and will serve well wherever John is studied with patience and care. Edwards obviously enjoys this gospel, but recognises it as a complex document that defies simple analyses or answers.

There are thirteen chapters, of ten or twelve pages each. Edwards starts by looking at how people have responded to John through two thousand years. She then asks about the writing of the gospel: who, how and where? Five chapters in the middle explore the content of the text, looking at miracles, at christological titles, at passion and resurrection, at the prologue, and at characters in the gospel. Two chapters explore the delicate issue of John and Jewish-Christian relations: was John anti-Jewish, did he advocate replacement theology, and did his christology break the bounds of Jewish monotheism? A conclusion discusses the value of John for today.

Edwards adopts an historical-critical approach, though concerned too for a properly theological reading of the gospel (p 18). She concludes that the Beloved Disciple is not identifiable (pp 18-26), that John composed the bulk of the discourses himself (p 32), and that he wrote in a Jewish-Christian community where both Greek or Aramaic were spokenmore than that about place of origin we cannot say (p 46). The date was probably 75 to 95 (p 48). On the issue of relations with Judaism, Edwards urges that we try to see John in his own context. Some of his material is indeed difficult to hear today; but that is partly because we do not set it in its own period. There is no programme of replacement theology, but rather of fulfilment, built on traditional Jewish beliefs (p 134).

In all of this, Edwards' writing is reasoned and sensitive rather than assertive. She will help many who have found John's gospel difficult to read or use. And her clarity will inform well a student essay or course on John. Greek words are transliterated. There are twelve pages of endnotes, also a very full bibliography, and scripture, author and subject indices.

John Proctor, Westminster College, Cambridge

Ernest Lucas, Exploring the Old Testament: Psalms and Wisdom Literature (London: SPCK, 2003) 224 pp; £16.95; ISBN 0281054312. I continue to search for the perfect introduction to the Old Testament that combines depth and breadth, words and pictures, excitement and relevance. In the meanwhile though, SPCK has published four excellent introductory volumes in the series Exploring the Old Testament. The last by Ernest Lucas has just been published, Psalms and Wisdom Literature. Grove readers may already know Ernest as the author of Decoding Daniel: Reclaiming the Visions of Daniel 7-11 (Grove Biblical series 18; Cambridge: Grove Books, 2000). This volume provides helpful introductions to various aspects of the literature, overviews of the books and their theology or message, and a brief commentary on selected texts. A good selection of further reading is also given.

A distinctive feature of the Exploring series is the presence of side panels that set out more technical information (e.g. the meaning of Selah), inform about broader issues (e.g. the meaning of resurrection), or set various tasks (e.g. writing some Hebrew-style proverbs). The latter are especially valuable suggestions for Bible studies on the literature (either individual or corporate), or those wishing to teach the material in an interactive and creative way.

I had a few minor criticisms. Some of the material seemed too obscure for an introduction (eg some of the information about ancient translations). I would have liked some pictures or line drawings to illustrate imagery (apparently the editor balked at the cost). There are no references to the resources now available on the web. However, I know of no better introduction and warmly commend it for both learners and teachers. It's now top of the list of recommendations for the introductory course I teach on these books.

Philip Jenson, Trinity College, Bristol

Two very different new books by retired Professors drawing on lifetimes of teaching as committed Christians are John McRay's Paul: His Life and Teaching (Grand Rapids: Baker, 2003; 479 pp; ISBN 0-8010-2403-X) and James D G Dunn's Jesus Remembered (Grand Rapids/Cambridge: Eerdmans, 2003; 1019 pp; ISBN 0-8028-3931-2).

McRay, who taught for many years at Wheaton College, brings a Baptist perspective to his college-level textbook. Two strengths of the book are its many archaeological insights and useful tables of information. Two oddities are the somewhat 'bitty' feel of the discussion and the inclusion of some material not specifically germane to Paul. Discussion of the Epistle to the Hebrews is probably included because some of the target audience would believe Paul to be its author.

Besides focusing on a different topic, Dunn's tome is far larger and more critical in its conclusions. This is the first in a projected 3-volume series on the origins of Christianity, offering some competition here with Tom Wright's ambition to produce a Megaseries That Will Take A Long Time To Read (Tom's still the winner in the size department). Conservative readers will be disappointed in Dunn's reticence to affirm more than he does, but he is much more confident than, eg, the Jesus Seminar, that the traditions in the gospels largely go back to the impact Jesus made before Easter. Dunn authored the phrase 'New Perspective on Paul'; whether he can persuade others that his 'New Perspective' on the Jesus tradition (emphasizing its oral nature) is correct remains to be seen. A massive, demanding, significant contribution that critiques many scholarly views along the way.

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.

NT: 2 Peter and Jude

In 1976, John H. Elliott called 1 Peter an 'Exegetical Step-Child' due to the scant attention paid to the interpretation of that letter. But until recently, the bibliography on 2 Peter and Jude has been pale in comparison to the attention given to 1 Peter. Questions about the books' pseudonymity and the view that they reflect early catholic perspectives from the beginning of the second century AD have conspired to relegate these epistles to second-tier status. However, since the publication of Richard Bauckham's commentary on the epistles in 1983, the books have begun to receive renewed attention, although no commentary thus far has surpassed the exegetical power and insight of this contribution to the Word Biblical Commentary series. Bauckham argues that while Jude is an authentic work of the brother of James, who is therefore the brother of the Jesus, 2 Peter is a pseudonymous letter in the testamentary genre.

The second major critical commentary on these epistles is by Jerome Neyrey, published ten years after Bauckham's offering (Anchor Bible, 1993). While Bauckham pays particular attention to the Jewish world as a source for exegetical insight, Neyrey's approach is more social-scientific with cultural insights drawn from the larger Mediterranean world. Three other critical commentaries are currently in production by Scott Hafemann (New International Greek Testament Commentary), Gene L Green (Baker Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament) and Tom Schreiner (New American Commentary), all authors who write within the Evangelical tradition. The older critical commentaries based on the Greek text by Charles Bigg (International Critical Commentary, 1901) and J B Mayor (1907) are still occasionally worth consulting for lexical information but have been surpassed by the much fuller exposition of more recent works. Anyone seriously interested in the study of Jude and the family of Jesus should also consult Bauckham's monograph on Jude and the Relatives of Jesus (T & T Clark, 1990).

Quite a few commentaries were penned for the church leader and informed layperson. Among these, J N D Kelly's older work is always helpful and insightful (Black's New Testament Commentaries, 1969) and Michael Green's Tyndale commentary is a rewarding mix of brevity and depth (Tyndale New Testament Commentaries; rev ed, 1987). Both these authors are keenly aware of the value of insights from the Church Fathers, and Green presents the ablest defence of Petrine authorship of 2 Peter. Of the more recent offerings among the midrange commentaries from a more critical perspective, the careful and thorough work of Phoeme Perkins takes the prize (Interpretation, 1995) while Steve Kraftchick is often helpful to bring the reader up to date with scholarly discussion in a summary manner (Abingdon New Testament Commentaries, 2002). The recent Sacra Pagina offering by Daniel Harrington is surprisingly thin and somewhat dull in its exposition (2003). The NIV Application Commentary by Doug Moo (1996) is careful and always conservative. It should be chosen over Norman Hillyer's work (New International Biblical Commentary, 1992) if one is looking for an easily accessible Evangelical study of these books. The commentary by Daryl Charles raised hopes of being a good source due to Charles' previous monographs on Jude and 2 Peter, but the commentary fails to live up to what the author is capable of (Herald Press, 1999; bound with E Waltner on 1 Peter). Charles is currently writing a new exposition of these letters for the Expositor's Bible Commentary series and we hope for richer insights. The older midrange commentaries by Charles Moffatt (Moffatt New Testament Commentary, 1928), Bo Reicke (Anchor Bible, 1964) and E M Sidebottom (New Century Bible, 1982) do not have much to commend them these days.

While contemporary commentaries rightly fill our shelves, ancient voices are still well worth listening to. Clement of Alexandria wrote the first commentary which has survived on Jude and he, more than anyone else, was closer to the situation about which Jude wrote. The Venerable Bede is quite illuminating, and on many points contemporary works do not better him (The Commentary on the Seven Catholic Epistles of Bede the Venerable, trans D Hurst; Michigan: Cistercian Publications, 1985). Gerald Bray has done us all a service by collecting ancient comments on these books in a verse by verse format in his contribution to the Ancient Christian Commentary on Scripture series (IVP, 2000). This book is a 'must read' in order to bring us into the dialogue about these epistles which began almost two millennia ago; unfortunately, all we get are snippets of ancient comment on any particular epistle. Finally, for anyone wanting a quick orientation to scholarly comment on these books, Jonathan Knight's work in the New Testament Guides series on 2 Peter and Jude (Sheffield, 1995) is worth the price.

Gene L Green, Professor of New Testament,
Wheaton College, IL, USA

[Ed: A former missionary and the author of a fine commentary in the Eerdmans/Apollos Pillar series on the Thessalonian epistles, Gene kindly agreed to interrupt his studies to write for us. He's currently on sabbatical at Tyndale House in Cambridge, working on his own commentary on 2 Peter & Jude.]

NT: Acts

For a helpful overview of recent commentaries and important works on Acts since 1991, have a look at I H Marshall's article, 'Acts in Current Study' in Expository Times 115.2 (Nov 2003) 49-52. This is an excellent supplement to Conrad Gempf's 'Comments on Commentaries' contribution on Acts in BSB 12.

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Humour, etc

Q: Who was the worst woman driver in the Bible?
A: Lot's wife, because she looked over her shoulder and turned into a pillar of salt.

Q: Which Canaanite tribe became fossilized?
A: The Ammonites

Q: Where did Noah keep the bees?
A: In the archives

and the worst:

Q: How do we know that Moses wore a wig?
A: Because sometimes he was seen with Aaron and sometimes without Aaron.

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Computer Corner

• MacSword (www.macsword.com) is a free tool for Bible study for the Apple Mac.
• A major upgrade to Accordance is now available (version 6), plus a number of new modules (eg the Essential IVP Reference Collection [including their very fine series of dictionaries, such as the Dictionary of Paul and His Letters], the grammatically tagged Greek Pseudepigrapha and Hebrew Mishna, and others). For details, go to their website (www.oaksoft.com). Christmas discounts are available through Dec 30 on these and other Accordance products.
• For the results of a survey of Mac users to see what software they found most helpful for Bible study, go to (www.cmug.org/articles/Survey_Results.html)
• iFlash (http://loopware.com/software/iflash/) is a free programme for Macs running OSX that enables one to make virtual flashcards for learning Greek, Hebrew or other languages.

Grove Biblical Series

This month's booklet is B 30 Is the New Testament Reliable? Peter Head examines important questions concerning whether we can trust the NT as a reliable record of Jesus' teaching.

Individual titles in the Biblical Series are available direct from Grove Books at £2.75 each. Annual subscription (4 books) costs £8.50, a saving of 15%. Call, fax, email sales@grovebooks.co.uk or visit www.grovebooks.co.uk to order.