Donald K. McKim, ed., Dictionary of Major Biblical Interpreters (Leicester: InterVarsity, 2007), 1106 pages, ISBN 9780830829279.

This book is a revised edition of the Historical Handbook of Major Biblical Interpreters (1998). In concept, the work is ingenious—I know of no other work that treats major figures in the interpretation of Scripture in this way. With respect to the working out of this concept, however, the Dictionary of Major Biblical Interpreters has a number of serious drawbacks. Whether one can overcome these drawbacks, of course, will largely depend on how much one already knows, but that is an especially unfortunate way to have to read a reference work.

The Dictionary consists of more than 200 articles on “major biblical interpreters”, introduced by a series of overviews of interpretive trends within different periods, divided (where applicable) between North America and Europe. The quality of the articles is often very high, although it is hardly consistent. All the article writers were naturally drawn to their subjects’ work, but there are times when a bit more objectivity would have helped. Indeed, some of the articles are too adulatory for a dictionary—for example, the over-long article on Brevard Childs, written by one of his students, is a shameless mixture of hagiography and apology. (The “studies” listed at the end of that article exclude the works of Childs’s detractors, although he had several. Other articles in the Dictionary follow a much more objective policy with their bibliographies.)

The historical overview articles are uneven in quality. The articles on “Biblical Interpretation in Europe in the Twentieth Century” and “Biblical Interpretation in the Eighteenth and Nineteenth Centuries” are extremely tendentious: they seem to have no other object than to paint historical criticism as a fall from faithful reading practices. They attempt to make this case in the usual way: by associating everything undesirable (from the writers’ viewpoint) with the Enlightenment, even to the point of attributing the “modernist” concern for authorial intention to a (supposed) nineteenth-century development. (Unfortunately for the authors of these articles, other entries within the same volume set the record straight on some of this nonsense—e.g., the article on John Calvin speaks in very clear terms of the sixteenth-century reformer’s devotion to authorial intention as the primary hermeneutical goal.) These two articles sometimes get the more value-neutral facts wrong as well—e.g., Schleiermacher and Lachmann are credited with the idea that Mark was a source for Matthew and Luke (p. 62), but those early source critics argued only that Mark gave the clearest representation of the original gospel narrative that underlay all the synoptic gospels. In short, readers should look elsewhere if they want a reasonably objective history of biblical interpretation in these periods. It is especially unfortunate that articles like this can make it into a reference work. The editors of reference works usually set ground rules to avoid problems of this type.

Unfortunately, there are other significant problems with the Dictionary as well. The high quality of presentation that one finds in many of the articles on individual biblical interpreters is somewhat offset by the rather tendentious selection of “biblical interpreters”. It is difficult to know why some figures were chosen for inclusion, while others were excluded. Those familiar with important names within the biblical studies guild might be very surprised to learn that there is no entry for E. P. Sanders, arguably the most important figure in the study of Paul in the twentieth century (and one of the most important contributors to historical Jesus research as well). Those looking for other major interpreters of Paul will be equally surprised to find no entry for Krister Stendahl. Omissions like these are so huge that they border on bizarre. One cannot help but wonder whether these omissions reflect a prejudice against the so-called New Perspective on Paul, a general approach for which Sanders and Stendahl might be considered the founders. (This theory finds support in the only slightly less surprising omission of two other major figureheads of the New Perspective: N. T. Wright and James Dunn—although Dunn, oddly enough, is listed as a contributor to the Dictionary.) Whatever the explanation, the omission of names of this caliber is certainly strange. Indeed, failing to list Sanders or Stendahl in a list of 100 “major biblical interpreters” is like failing to list Jackie Robinson or Ted Williams in a list of 100 “major professional baseball players”.

W. C. Campbell-Jack and Gavin J. McGrath with C. Stephen Evans, eds., New Dictionary of Christian Apologetics (Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 2006), 779 pages, ISBN 9780830824519.

The first thing that should strike readers of this one-volume dictionary is the breadth of denominational and theological representation of the contributors. Editors C. Campbell-Jack and Gavin McGrath have amassed a truly broad array of perspectives to address the issues regarding contemporary apologetics. In so doing, they have enabled denominationally and theologically distinctive perspectives to be addressed by a theologian from that particular denomination or theological position, which allows the topics to be discussed from an insider perspective, and not an outsider perspective. Pneuma Review readers will find this extremely important in the coverage of topics dear to the collective heart of the Pentecostal/charismatic movement. For example, the entry on the role of the Holy Spirit in Apologetics was written by G. A. Cole from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, and the article on Pentecostal and Charismatic Christianity was written W. K. Kay who is the director of the Centre for Pentecostal and Charismatic Studies at the University of Wales.

As far as one-volume dictionaries and encyclopedias go, this volume produced by IVP ranks within the upper 5%. This is a must-have resource for students, pastors, Sunday School teachers and laypersons. Moreover, it is a must-have resource for any Christian who wishes to understand their Christian faith more fully, as well as for those who wish to develop a rational explanation of the Christian faith in the context of today’s complex and ever-changing world. This dictionary is filled-to-the-brim with hundreds of articles that cover the key topics, historic figures and contemporary issues relating to the items of importance within Christian apologetics.

The dictionary is divided into two parts: Part One offers a series of six introductory essays that set the framework for the dictionary, examining the importance of apologetics in light of theological, historical and cultural concerns. Part Two builds from there to present specific and pointed articles on individuals, ideas, and institutions that are crucial for understanding the Christian worldview today.

If one doubts the necessity and importance of engaging Christian apologetics today, after reading through the six introductory articles, one will find it to be true that not only is Christian apologetics important today, but also is it one of—if not the—most important areas of Christian discourse today. All of the essays and articles are written by leading Christian philosophers and theologians. Together, the articles and essays within this volume present an accurate and orthodox response to issues facing Christianity today, and as such this one-volume dictionary is an indispensable resource for Christians living in today’s pluralistic age. Moreover, this one-volume dictionary does a startlingly good job of balancing between accessibility and depth of information, providing at all times a handy bibliography in which to pursue the conversation further, if desired. A must-have book indeed.

Reviewed by Bradford McCall

Publisher’s page: www.ivpress.com/cgi-ivpress/book.pl/code=2451

Bill T. Arnold & H.G.M. Williamson, eds., Dictionary of the Old Testament: Historical Books (Downers Grove, IL & Leicester, England: InterVarsity Press, 2005), xxiii + 1060, ISBN 9780830817825.

It is exciting to see this present work in print. Many in ministry consistently reach for reference works in the IVP dictionary series to help them in their teaching preparation. This series includes New Testament Background, Jesus and the Gospels, Paul and His Letters, The Later New Testament and its Development, as well as the Bible Background Commentary volumes for both Old and New Testaments. These were later followed by an Old Testament series beginning with Dictionary of the Old Testament: Pentateuch. Each volume has proven to be of superior quality in both scholarship and ease of use. The present volume, Dictionary of the Old Testament: Historical Books covers a wide variety of topics covering the books of Joshua, Judges, Samuel, Kings, Chronicles, Ezra and Nehemiah.

It should be noted that the IVP Dictionary series are written by American and European scholars who are not necessarily Pentecostal or charismatic. Because of this, some may find the articles somewhat disappointing.

Of general interest for Pentecostal/charismatics will be the biographical articles on such notables as “Caleb,” “David,” “Elijah,” “Elisha,” “Hezekiah,” “Joshua,” “Isaiah,” “Solomon,” “Zerubbabel” and others. While a general article on “Women” is included, specific articles on Deborah, Hanna and other notable women are conspicuously absent. Companion articles can usually be found to enhance the biographies. For example, in addition to the article on “David” there are also articles on the “Davidic Covenant” as well as “David’s Family.”

Of specific interest for Pentecostal/Charismatics will be topical entries such as “Anointing,” “Faith,” “Forgiveness,” “High Places,” “Prayer,” “Salvation and Deliverance,” “Sickness and Disease,” and the “Word of God.”

Those interested in theology will find beneficial insights in the articles on “Death and Afterlife,” “Ethics,” “Evil,” “God,” “Justice and Righteousness,” “Law,” as well as the article on “Sin.”

For those who profit from historical, geographical and cultural context studies the entries on “Agriculture and Husbandry,” “Archaeology,” “Canaanite Gods and Religion,” “Egypt,” “Geographical Extent of Israel,” “Hebrew Inscriptions,” “Israelite Society,” and “Trade and Travel” will be of assistance.

For readers who are more interested in Biblical interpretation, the articles on “Chronology,” “Deuteronomistic History,” “Genealogies,” “Hebrew Language,” “Hermeneutics,” “Inner-biblical Exegesis,” “Linguistics,” “Methods of Interpretation,” and “Oral Tradition & Written Tradition” will prove helpful.

While there is much to like in the DOTHB there is something that is critically absent; that being any kind of article or reference to God’s Spirit. There is no entry on the Spirit of the Lord, the Holy Spirit, the Spirit or God’s Spirit. In the subject index there is not a single listing of any of these phrases. It seems woefully inadequate for a Bible dictionary that covers a select group of historical writings which includes “Judges,” where the Spirit is present in abundance, to not make mention of that same Spirit.

T. Desmond Alexander and David W. Baker, eds., Dictionary of the Old Testament: Pentateuch, A Compendium of Contemporary Biblical Scholarship series (InterVarsity Press, 2003) 954 pages, ISBN 9780830817818.

As an avid reader and owner of IVP’s New Testament Dictionaries (Dictionary of Biblical Imagery, Dictionary of Jesus and the Gospels, Dictionary of New Testament Background, Dictionary of Paul and His Letters, Dictionary of the Later New Testament and its Development; all but the first being ECPA Gold Medallion winners), I was delighted to see they had begun the same series on the Old Testament. A casual reading found that this massive volume covers topics ranging from “Aaron” to “Zoology” including such subjects as “Blessings and Curses,” “Flood,” “Honor and Shame,” and “Sacrifices and Offerings.” Each of these topics are presented as they relate the Pentateuch, the first five books of the Bible.

Wanting to investigate further it was decided to start by finding out who the Dictionary claims is the author (or authors) of the Pentateuch. The first article referenced was “Authorship of the Pentateuch” a 12 page article that does not state that Moses did write the first five books of the Bible, neither does it state he did not. The article leaves the conclusion up to the reader based on the evidence presented. The reader is then referred to comparative articles on “Form Criticism,” “Historical Criticism,” “Pentateuchal Criticism, History of,” “Source Criticism,” and “Writing” which consume a total of 49 pages without every taking a stand on the issue of Mosaic authorship.

Next, an article of Pentecostal/Charismatic beliefs was chosen, “Signs and Wonders.” The subject was presented with a watered down view of the miraculous in two basic ways. First, the article allowed that the signs and wonders of the Pentateuch occurred as natural events but attributed to God. This disregards the passages in which Moses pre-announced the plagues before they took place. Second, the signs and wonders of the Pentateuch are examined in light of Documentary Hypothesis, or the JEDP theory of multiple authors of the Pentateuch over hundreds of years. This method opens the door to the possibility that the signs and wonders were later added to the events instead of actually taking place.

T. Desmond Alexander

This is not to say that the Dictionary is without merit. The article on “God, Names of” was very rewarding. Three prominent names of God were presented. The first name discussed was El meaning “power,” “creator,” “maker” as well as the plural form Elohim. The second major name of God presented is Yahweh, the personal name for God. The article explains how the name Yahweh is used when God is describing a personal relationship with his people, when grace is involved, when his commitment to his people is established, and when his jealousy is aroused. The third major name discussed is Adonay which means “lord” or “master.” Adonay is used much less frequently in the Pentateuch than the other two names of God, but more so later on during the time of the Second Temple. Other less frequently used names of God are also discussed but in much less detail.

Timothy Larsen, ed., Biographical Dictionary of Evangelicals (Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 2003), xvii + 789 pages.

Ever come across the name of an evangelical leader, like Lesslie Newbigin or Oswald Chambers, and wondered who they were or what they taught? This dictionary is a great solution for quickly finding a sketch on the life and background of leaders the editors have included in this who’s who of evangelicals.

Pentecostal/charismatic leaders have much to appreciate in this volume because many early holiness and Pentecostal leaders, healing evangelists, and contemporary charismatic teachers and leaders have been included. While this dictionary does not contain as many entries of significance to today’s Pentecostal/charismatic as a specialized dictionary such as the International Dictionary of Pentecostal and Charismatic Movements (Zondervan, 2002),¹ the articles are significantly longer and give a deeper introduction to the beliefs and accomplishments of the subjects.

Timothy Larsen is professor at Wheaton College.

Some of the biographies well-read Pentecostal/charismatic leaders will recognize are: the Wesley brothers, Charles Finney, Edward Irving, Andrew Murray, Charles Parham, William Seymour, Alexander Boddy, Smith Wigglesworth, Aimee Semple McPherson, Donald Gee, Watchman Nee, Kathryn Kuhlman, David Du Plessis, Dennis Bennett, Demos Shakarian, John Wimber, Kenneth Hagin, Loren Cunningham, David Wilkerson, Oral Roberts, Michael Harper, Gordon Fee, C. Peter Wagner, J. Rodman Williams, and Jack Hayford. Of course, numerous other people that have shaped evangelical Christianity, from Martin Luther to Billy Graham, are included in this dictionary.

This attractive volume deserves a home in every Christian reference library.

Reviewed by Raul Mock

¹ A review of the new IDPCM appeared in the Winter 2003 issue (Vol 6 No 1) of the Pneuma Review.

Publisher’s page for Biographical Dictionary of Evangelicals: www.ivpress.com/cgi-ivpress/book.pl/code=2925  

Stanley M. Burgess and Eduard M. van der Maas, eds., The New International Dictionary of Pentecostal and Charismatic Movements, Revised and expanded edition (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2002), 1278 + xxxi pages.

Growing up in a non-charismatic Christian home, I knew little about the history of the Pentecostal/charismatic movement. For this reason, the original Dictionary of Pentecostal and Charismatic Movements (Stanley M. Burgess, Gary B. McGee, and Patrick H. Alexander. Zondervan, 1988) was a valuable addition to my library from the moment I received my first copy. On numerous occasions I would go to the only consistent and objective source I had for information about Pentecostal leaders, the particular teachings of a movement, or even the articles on the charismata.

That original reference work is now even better. The emphasis on North American Pentecostal/charismatic movements has been broadened to take in leaders, ministries, and history of Pentecostals and charismatics worldwide. The global survey section introduces the birth and growth of the Pentecostal/charismatic movement in specific nations or regions of the world. Included in this survey are demographics and brief articles detailing the history of the nation or region. Following this are up-to-date statistics detailing the current state of the Pentecostal/charismatic movement worldwide in 102 categories. There are new articles and pictures throughout the dictionary, now totaling 1000 articles and over 500 photos and illustrations. An extensive index covers the dictionary, and the articles are cross-referenced to other articles throughout.

This dictionary is the definitive resource for anyone wanting to know more about the Pentecostal/charismatic movement today or where it came from. No ministry leader that desires to interact with other charismatics or Pentecostals beyond his own fellowship should be without this reference.

Reviewed by Raul Mock

Preview the NIDPCM: http://books.google.com/books/about/The_New_International_Dictionary_of_Pent.html?id=_Qtv7gJMIFUC