The New Interpreter's Bible : General and Old Testament Articles; Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus. - Vol. 1 - book reviews

Christian Century, Nov 22, 1995 by Patrick J. Willson

Pheme Perkins translates Mark's story of Jesus cleansing the temple in terms with which most parish leaders can resonate: "Christians often face a similar dilemma without realizing it. With buildings and programs to support, they may fall into the trap of marketing religion." Boring deftly models how to teach the scriptures in the parish by offering excurses explaining Matthew's use of scripture, miracle stories, the kingdom of heaven and Christology. Those who have bewailed the sparse selection of commentaries on Matthew designed for pastors and teachers (scholarly volumes abound) will be delighted with his contribution. His commentary has met a great need--especially for preachers committed to following the lectionary.

Few preachers clamor for commentaries on Leviticus, but Walter C. Kaiser jr. has prepared such a good one that it may multiply sermons on that easily avoided book. Like a cathedral tour guide, Kaiser escorts readers through the edifice, pointing out not only individual features but the architecture of the whole. His commentary on Leviticus 19 summarizes his commentary and demonstrates its relevance:

Because God is holy, God's people are to be holy by

being like God in the world. We can, therefore, do away

with all the cartoon pictures of the sanctimonious holy

person wearing a halo and a prudish glare. To be holy is

not to be narrow-minded and primly pious; it is, rather,

to imitate God. To be holy is to roll up one's sleeves and

to join in with whatever God is doing in the world.

The "Commentary" section carries the heaviest portion of interpretive freight for the NIB. Especially helpful is the manner in which contributors teach their readers how to read the scriptures by employing an eclectic array of scholarly tools. In his introductory article Carl Holladay concludes that "informed reading will require knowledge and experience in many methods and approaches." The commentators provide such a reading, borrowing from literary and rhetorical criticism, sociological analysis and historical-critical methods.

"Commentary" flows into "Reflections." As might be expected, the concerns brought to and derived from the text are as diverse as the writers themselves. Fretheim furnishes thoughtful theological essays; Brueggemann sets the majestic vision of Exodus against the tawdry delusions of consumerism; Kaiser gently uncovers in Leviticus hints that may point to the church's christological affirmations. As Matthew wrote his Gospel in and for a church, so Boring writes his commentary in and for the church. Perkins's "Reflections" on Mark tend to be briefer and quite to the point.

As I was working on this review, friends asked me, "Well, is the NIB as good as the IB?" I am tempted to say, "No, the NIB is much better than the IB ever was!" But perhaps that view only reflects 40 years of hindsight.

At the conclusion of his magisterial New Testament Theology, Rudolf Bultmann reminded us that "it is not possible to accomplish the theological task once for all ... this task permits only ever-repeated solutions, or attempts at solution, each in its particular historical situation." The editors and contributors of the NIB have made a particularly strong and brave attempt to interpret scriptures for our time. The initial offerings suggest that the NIB is the commentary preachers and teachers need for the years ahead.