Pentateuch: An Annotated Bibliography, The

Trinity Journal, Spring 2005 by Aderhold, K Loren

Kenton L. Sparks. The Pentateuch: An Annotated Bibliography. Institute for Biblical Research Bibliographies. Grand Rapids: Baker, 2002. 160 pp. $18.99.

To write a review of one book is a daunting task. How much more must it be to publish a book composed solely of paragraph summaries of other works. This is precisely what the IBR Bibliography series attempts in each volume. In The Pentateuch, Kenton Sparks provides bibliographical data and summaries of the thesis or "basic point" for over five hundred works which have played a role in pentateuchal studies over the last century. After covering some of the basic introductory, summary, and foundational works since the rise of historical-critical scholarship, Sparks divides his work under the heading of each book of the Pentateuch. These are subdivided at times by pericopes and at others by topics which have been important in recent historical-critical studies. Sparks's work seeks to give a true reflection of the growth and current situation of the field as his divisions reflect critical interests. Also, the number of works named in each division show the amount of attention scholarship has given to each one. Thus the works noted on Genesis 1-11 almost double those cited for the entire book of Numbers. Finally, though evangelicals may be troubled by Sparks's method of selection, directed almost solely by the critical discussions, they will be delighted to find a fair representation of their works which have a valid voice in the ongoing dialogue.

This book (as well as the series to which it belongs) seems to (intentionally) limit itself to a specific audience. The topics and the works noted are primarily of a critical nature and often in journals and works inaccessible to pastors without a local theological library, thus distancing itself from the world of many preaching pastors. At the same time, they are often foundational so that the seasoned scholar would probably be familiar with them. This leaves a niche in the middle for pastors who want to engage the critical issues and students who are at the earlier stages of their studies or scholars who have concentrated their efforts in other fields. These will find The Pentateuch a wonderful resource in sorting through the flood of publications which are available. Thus, the author and the series seem to accomplish their goal of allowing the scholar to spend time studying rather than searching.

Perhaps the only complaint one may have about this work is its limitations. Commentaries are intentionally outside the bounds of Sparks's work, as are evaluations of the works cited. Also, the works cited are generally limited to English, which may only encourage an unfortunate trend to avoid other research languages in budding American and English scholars who constitute the series' niche market.

If nothing else, Sparks makes one realize the truth of the phrase in Ecclesiastes "of the making of many books there is no end." The potential reader is perhaps only concerned with whether Sparks makes this situation worse (by producing a book about books) or better (by narrowing the desired field). We believe the latter to be true, for this small resource aids the budding scholar in surveying the field of pentateuchal studies in an organized way.

K. Loren Aderhold

Trinity Evangelical Divinity School