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Book Review
Eerdmans Commentary on the Bible
Editors- James D.G.Dunn & John W. Rogerson
2003
Wm.B.Eerdmans Publishing Co, 1629p
Review by Ray Hoekzema
Over the years I acquired a variety of Commentaries but my first single-volume Commentary was The New Bible Commentary (1200p) published by Inter Varsity Fellowship fifty years ago. In the early years of my life I used that a lot to make introductions for the Bible Study Group I then attended.
The additional 400 plus pages in this volume come from a broader commentary on the New Testament; and thirteen auxiliary essays on such maters as The Dead Sea Scrolls (the Qumran story); Premodern, Modern, and Postmodern in the Old Testament; Syro-Palestinian and Biblical Archeology; Hermeneutical approaches to the New Testament Tradition; and some 200 pages of commentary on the Apocrypha. No less than 67 theologians of an entirely different era and genre have contributed to this most recent single-volume guide to the Scriptures. It is largely written in non-technical language and provides for beginners, for cell groups and in the home, as well as for the more mature student. The choice of Bible translation is the New Revised Standard Version.
The editors claim that rather than attempting a verse-by-verse analysis, the Commentary focuses on the principal unit of meaning, of narrative, prophetic oracle, parable, section of argument, etc. Furthermore, it summarises succinctly major issues unable to be discussed in full detail and refers the reader to fuller discussions. Of course, the Dead Sea Scrolls and the extensive archaeological digs over the last fifty years have led to some fresh interpretations of the evidence. However, when reviewing a number of obviously current issues, I found that overall the Commentary has taken the traditional line and thrust of Scripture in dealing with the essential doctrines; and has left it to the individual to ponder the alternatives being debated by theologians and scientists.
Hence in its overview of Genesis, the word evolution is not even mentioned and the seven twenty-four-hour days are also not brought into question. For readers today, the reference to homosexuality and lesbianism may attract the greater attention. The commentator’s view is that homosexuality is a progression from bad theology and worship to bad ethics. The actions do not result in divine wrath; they are themselves the result of divine wrath; they stem from God’s given people over, because of their prior misreading of tokens of God in the world and human failure to glorify God or say thanks to God.
Suffice to say, no reviewer will do justice to such a large and complex volume in a single attempt. Nevertheless, from first observations, it would appear that this volume could be a valuable start or addition to any small or large library.
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