THE Old Testament scholar John Goldingay has added to his
For Everyone volumes another, on 1 and 2
Chronicles. As with Tom Wright's New Testament series,
this is a readable commentary with an anecdotal style, aimed at a
non-academic audience (SPCK, £9.99 (£9);
978-0-281-06131-0).
Philip Oakeshott believes that St Mark's Gospel is mostly
historically accurate, and derived from St Peter's eyewitness
accounts. He asserts that too much has been made of St Mark's own
purpose and theology in recent criticism. He sets out his arguments
in The Man that Peter Knew (Sessions Books
(www.sessionsbooks.co.uk), Unit 4, Birch Park, Huntington Road,
York YO31 9BL; £9.99 plus p&p; 978-1-85072-411-7).
The Two Horizons Old Testament Commentary seeks to bridge the
gap between biblical studies and systematic theology, by focusing
primarily on theological readings of texts. In
Ecclesiastes, Peter Enns gives a
section-by-section analysis, but considers theological horizons,
how Ecclesiastes has contributed to biblical theology, and its
significance today (Wm B. Eerdmans, £16.99 (£15.30);
978-0-8028-6649-3).
Whole Life, Whole Bible is a series of 50 short
readings (followed by questions for reflection) to help people to
relate scripture to everyday life, while enabling them to see each
selected passage in the context of the whole biblical story. For
coherence, the authors (Antony Billington with Margaret Killingray
and Helen Parry) have divided their material into six sections:
creation, corruption, covenant, Christ, Church, and consummation
(BRF, £6.99 (£6.30); 978-0-85746-017-2).
A practical approach to Bible-reading for survivors of sexual
abuse (and their carers) is offered in We Were the Least of
These by Elaine Heath. She takes biblical passages that
have helped her and other survivors experience healing, and offers
interpretations. Each chapter ends with questions and suggestions
for action (Brazos Press, £11.99 (£10.80);
978-1-58743-271-2).
The part played by the Spirit in the Old Testament is the theme
of Presence, Power and Promise, edited by David
Firth and Paul Wegner. The 21 essays, by a range of theologians,
are divided into seven sections: orientation to the Spirit in the
Old Testament and Ancient Near East, creation, wisdom, creativity,
prophecy, leadership, the future, and Qumran (Apollos, £19.99
(£18); 978-1-84474-534-0).
What are Christians to make of parts of the Old Testament which
appear to condone violence? Taking a chapter that on first
appearance does not seem very relevant for us today, Julie Woods
explores Jeremiah 48 as Christian Scripture. She
emphasises the undercurrent of lament, looks at the difference
between the Masoretic and Septuagint texts (more than is often the
case in the OT), compares this oracle against Moab with a similar
one on Isaiah, analyses recent theological interpretations of this
chapter, and suggests ways to engage with it (James Clarke, £21.25;
978-0-227-17378-7).