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leswag97's reviews
233 reviews
Daniel Evokes Isaiah: Allusive Characterization of Foreign Rule in the Hebrew-Aramaic Book of Daniel by G. Brooke Lester
3.0
G. Brooke Lester shows how the apocalypses of Daniel intentionally and frequently allude to the book of Isaiah, especially Isaiah 10. The result of these allusions to Isaiah is a picture of the "little horn"/"the prince to come" (Antiochus IV Epiphanes) that strikingly resembles the portrayal of the Assyrians in Isaiah. While Assyria at one point was used by God to punish Israel, the Assyrians also took their violence too far, and as a result, drew the anger and judgment of the God of Israel onto themselves. So too with Antiochus IV Epiphanes. With the rise of Antiochus, the rule of the nations had reached a "boiling point," so to speak, according to the authors of Daniel, which caused the wrath of God to be poured out not against Israel but against her oppressor(s). All in all, Lester's book is insightful and reminds readers of the importance of intertextuality in the Bible, which can drastically affect the way in which a careful reader interprets a given passage or an entire book.
Jew in the Court of the Foreign King by Lawrence M. Wills
3.0
A thorough and helpful analysis of what Lawrence M. Wills calls “wisdom court legends.” While the focus is on the stories in Daniel 1–6 as well as the Esther story, Wills also draws a number of parallels between these court stories and other Jewish court stories (like the Joseph story) and other non-Jewish court legends (like the “Tale of Ahikar”).
Wills finds in these legends an emphasis on the “court” not only as a setting for the stories, but also as the location in which all conflicts and contests find their just resolutions, either because of the justice administered by the foreign king or, in the case of many of the Jewish stories, because of the intervention of the God of the Jews. These stories also present a “ruled ethnic perspective”—what R. Gnuse calls an “underdog” perspective—that is, the hero is an ethnic minority in a foreign setting, who showcases wisdom, piety, and faithfulness, but who also experiences hardship and conflict, only to be met with vindication and a “happy ending.” These “hero stories”—as Daniel L. Smith-Christopher calls them—would have instilled pride in one’s group—ethnic, religious, or otherwise.
Altogether, Wills’ analysis is thorough and important, helpfully bringing together the work of many before him in a new and fresh way. However, much of the “meat” of the work was analyzing the redaction history of a few Daniel stories (Dan 4–6) and the Esther story. While this may be interesting to some and insightful for the overall endeavor, I did not find it as illuminating. Also, by focusing primarily on Daniel 4–6, Wills was not able to adequately treat the other Daniel stories, especially Daniel 2.
Wills finds in these legends an emphasis on the “court” not only as a setting for the stories, but also as the location in which all conflicts and contests find their just resolutions, either because of the justice administered by the foreign king or, in the case of many of the Jewish stories, because of the intervention of the God of the Jews. These stories also present a “ruled ethnic perspective”—what R. Gnuse calls an “underdog” perspective—that is, the hero is an ethnic minority in a foreign setting, who showcases wisdom, piety, and faithfulness, but who also experiences hardship and conflict, only to be met with vindication and a “happy ending.” These “hero stories”—as Daniel L. Smith-Christopher calls them—would have instilled pride in one’s group—ethnic, religious, or otherwise.
Altogether, Wills’ analysis is thorough and important, helpfully bringing together the work of many before him in a new and fresh way. However, much of the “meat” of the work was analyzing the redaction history of a few Daniel stories (Dan 4–6) and the Esther story. While this may be interesting to some and insightful for the overall endeavor, I did not find it as illuminating. Also, by focusing primarily on Daniel 4–6, Wills was not able to adequately treat the other Daniel stories, especially Daniel 2.
Brown Church: Five Centuries of Latina/O Social Justice, Theology, and Identity by Robert Chao Romero
4.0
In this book, Robert Chao Romero takes his readers through the history of the "Brown Church," which, as he defines it, is "a prophetic ecclesial community of Latinas/os that has contested racial and social injustice in Latin America and the United States for the past five hundred years" (11). Romero follows the history of the Brown Church, from its birth in 1511 to present-day theologies from Latinas/os in Latin America and the U.S. I found most enlightening Romero's chapters on social justice theologies arising from the Brown Church in the last century; for example, Romero surveys Liberation Theology, Misión Integral, Mujerista Theology, and Latina/o Theology. Romero's chapter on Archbishop Oscar Romero, who showed the world what Liberation Theology can look like in practice, was also fascinating and inspiring. All in all, this book is an excellent resource for all readers, and it opened my eyes to a piece of Church history that is not normally touched on in most books or classes.
Daniel by C.L. Seow
4.0
This is an excellent introductory commentary to the Book of Daniel. There are no footnotes, which makes it an easy and accessible book to read, but at the same time, it is not lacking in academic and theological depth. C.L. Seow draws some key and unique insights about Daniel from its languages (Hebrew and Aramaic) as well as its connections to the Ancient Near East and to the rest of the Hebrew Bible (especially Isaiah).
Lies My Preacher Told Me: An Honest Look at the Old Testament by Brent A. Strawn
4.0
This little book, inspired by James W. Louwen's popular book "Lies My Teacher Told Me," is a quick and concise analysis of some of the "mistruths" that we often hear, believe, and repeat about the Old Testament. Brent A. Strawn, an Old Testament scholar with a pastoral heart, examines some of these mistruths and seeks to correct them. Among the many mistruths, I found most helpful and insightful the ones that dealt with violence in the Old Testament, as well as the (mis)characterization of the "God of the Old Testament" as mean, angry, and violent. I also appreciated his penultimate chapter on the Mosaic Law, in which he pushes back against the commonplace statements that the Law was "impossible to keep" and "unbearable." Ultimately, Strawn shows the ways in which people, especially Christians, can misread and misrepresent the Old Testament, usually not intentionally or maliciously, but unknowingly.
Armageddon in Retrospect by Kurt Vonnegut
4.0
This is a wonderfully funny, easy-to-read, and, at times, thought-provoking collection of Kurt Vonnegut’s writings on war and peace. Being a WW2 veteran himself, who was, miraculously, kept alive in the horrendous bombing of Dresden, Germany, Vonnegut has a unique and comedic outlook on war and violence—and he pulls no punches, whether it be with the Germans, Russians, or Americans. Most of the writings are short stories or the like, which are usually quick and to the point, yet also profound. Anyone who’s a fan of Vonnegut, will enjoy this book.
The Tree of Life: An Exploration of Biblical Wisdom Literature by Roland E. Murphy
4.0
I was assigned this book for a course I took on Wisdom Literature, and found it helpful. In many ways, it is an introduction to the study of biblical Wisdom Literature, and most readers would enjoy it, even those without much experience in the field. Roland E. Murphy is a wonderful writer, which makes the book that much easier to enjoy. I especially enjoyed his closing chapter on the personification of wisdom as Lady Wisdom/Woman Wisdom, and how the personification shifted and changed from text to text (Murphy analyzes the personification beginning in Job and ending in the Wisdom of Solomon).
The third edition also contains two added “supplements” in the back of the book, both of which address each chapter. This allowed for Murphy to “update” some of his comments with new research and fresh insights from other scholars after the original publication of his book. There is also a helpful appendix that introduces “international wisdom” from Mesopotamia and Egypt.
The third edition also contains two added “supplements” in the back of the book, both of which address each chapter. This allowed for Murphy to “update” some of his comments with new research and fresh insights from other scholars after the original publication of his book. There is also a helpful appendix that introduces “international wisdom” from Mesopotamia and Egypt.
Black Lives Matter to Jesus: The Salvation of Black Life and All Life in Luke and Acts by Marcus Jerkins
4.0
Marcus Jerkins’ book “Black Lives Matter to Jesus” is a helpful analysis of the way in which the evangelist Luke centers black life in the book of Acts. Specifically, Jerkins focuses his attention on the story of the Ethiopian Eunuch in Acts 8, but he also pays attention to the inclusion of African Jews at pentecost (Acts 2), as well as the mention of Simeon Niger at the commissioning of Paul and Barnabas (Acts 13). Jerkins argues that through these important stories, Luke is pushing back against the negative views associated with blackness in the ancient world. The Ethiopian Eunuch especially figures as the first Gentile concert in the book of Acts, and opens up the door for the rest of Adam’s children to be restored as God’s children once again. According to Jerkins, the salvation of black life in Acts 8 prefigures the salvation of all nations; the Ethiopian’s blackness is not peripheral or incidental, but crucial to Luke’s emphasis on the gospel being for those deemed “other.”
By far, the strongest chapter—as well as the longest—of the book deals with ancient views of blackness in the Greco-Roman world, as well as in early Jewish literature. While Jerkins cautions against equating the concepts of “race” and “racism” in contemporary culture with what we see in the ancient world, he finds that ancient peoples were, by no means, colorblind, and that many deemed blackness as an “othering” attribute, and some viewed blackness negatively. By examining these ancient views, one can better understand the importance of speaking of an Ethiopian as the first Gentile convert in the Jesus movement.
The book, which is a reworking of Jerkins’ dissertation, is not very long, but still felt a little drawn out at points. One lengthy chapter deals with divine childship in Luke-Acts. Jerkins argues that Jesus’ mission was to restore the divine childship of Israel and all Adam’s children. Although important for his overall argument, I enjoyed this chapter less than the others.
All in all, though, this is a great book, and it shows the importance of recognizing color and diversity in the Old and New Testaments. For anyone interested in race and the Bible, or in Luke-Acts studies, this is an important resource.
By far, the strongest chapter—as well as the longest—of the book deals with ancient views of blackness in the Greco-Roman world, as well as in early Jewish literature. While Jerkins cautions against equating the concepts of “race” and “racism” in contemporary culture with what we see in the ancient world, he finds that ancient peoples were, by no means, colorblind, and that many deemed blackness as an “othering” attribute, and some viewed blackness negatively. By examining these ancient views, one can better understand the importance of speaking of an Ethiopian as the first Gentile convert in the Jesus movement.
The book, which is a reworking of Jerkins’ dissertation, is not very long, but still felt a little drawn out at points. One lengthy chapter deals with divine childship in Luke-Acts. Jerkins argues that Jesus’ mission was to restore the divine childship of Israel and all Adam’s children. Although important for his overall argument, I enjoyed this chapter less than the others.
All in all, though, this is a great book, and it shows the importance of recognizing color and diversity in the Old and New Testaments. For anyone interested in race and the Bible, or in Luke-Acts studies, this is an important resource.
Old Testament Textual Criticism: A Practical Introduction by Eric J. Tully, Ellis R. Brotzman
3.0
Ellis R. Brotzman and Eric J. Tully have provided readers with, as the subtitle suggests, “a practical introduction” to the discipline of Old Testament textual criticism. The authors accomplish what they set out to do, for the work is both introductory and practical. For this reason, it is a helpful and important work, especially for seminary students, and even undergraduate students interested in the field.
Their succinct, yet thorough, overview of the many versions and translations of the Old Testament, provided in chapters 3 and 4, is one of the strongest aspects of the volume. They also do an excellent job of introducing the somewhat confusing world of “critical editions” of the Old Testament to beginning students (ch. 5). The final chapter is a “Textual Commentary on the Book of Ruth,” in which they discuss every textual variant noted in the apparatus of the BHS (the current critical edition of the OT) for Ruth, as well as making note of a few variants that the BHS does not include. This is a helpful chapter, as it shows what textual criticism looks like in practice.
Brotzman and Tully also pull no punches when it comes to their criticisms of BHS (although they are quite a bit more optimistic about the BHQ, which is currently in production). The fact that they were able, in this second edition, to consider the BHQ, alongside the BHS, is another valuable aspect of the book.
Overall, it’s a fine book, though it is a bit dry, and it serves more as a reference book than anything, in my opinion. For this reason, I would give it a rating of 3.5 stars. I will, no doubt, come back to it time and again, but if one is already familiar with the study of textual criticism, this book would not be as helpful, while Emanuel Tov’s tome on the subject would probably be much more stimulating and thorough (although I have not, as of yet, been able to read it.)
Their succinct, yet thorough, overview of the many versions and translations of the Old Testament, provided in chapters 3 and 4, is one of the strongest aspects of the volume. They also do an excellent job of introducing the somewhat confusing world of “critical editions” of the Old Testament to beginning students (ch. 5). The final chapter is a “Textual Commentary on the Book of Ruth,” in which they discuss every textual variant noted in the apparatus of the BHS (the current critical edition of the OT) for Ruth, as well as making note of a few variants that the BHS does not include. This is a helpful chapter, as it shows what textual criticism looks like in practice.
Brotzman and Tully also pull no punches when it comes to their criticisms of BHS (although they are quite a bit more optimistic about the BHQ, which is currently in production). The fact that they were able, in this second edition, to consider the BHQ, alongside the BHS, is another valuable aspect of the book.
Overall, it’s a fine book, though it is a bit dry, and it serves more as a reference book than anything, in my opinion. For this reason, I would give it a rating of 3.5 stars. I will, no doubt, come back to it time and again, but if one is already familiar with the study of textual criticism, this book would not be as helpful, while Emanuel Tov’s tome on the subject would probably be much more stimulating and thorough (although I have not, as of yet, been able to read it.)
A Tale of Three Kings: A Study in Brokenness by Gene Edwards
4.0
An insightful little book that touches on themes of brokenness, suffering, and power. In his preface, Gene Edwards explains that he wrote this retelling of the stories of Saul, David, and Absalom in response to a number of letters he received from Christians suffering under abusive authority within the church. The introduction contains this great line: “Outward power will always unveil the inner resources [of a person], or the lack thereof.” Undoubtedly, many Christians have seen this at work in their own churches—individuals with power (seemingly, God’s own power), but with no maturity, no love, no grace. For this reason, Edwards’ book is still important and still current for readers today.