The Pentateuch : An Introduction to the First Five Books of the Bible (Anchor Bible Reference Library)

Rating:
Summary: Excellent Resource--But Not Recommended for Beginners
Review: This book by Blenkinsopp is an excellent resource for the study of the Pentateuch (the first five books of the Bible, also called the Torah or the Books of Moses). Though I do not recommend it for beginners who are just initiating their study of the Pentateuch, it will prove of great value for those who may be in the intermediate stage of study (and beyond) who wish to explore a healthy critique of the four-source hypothesis which has come to dominate this field of study.

Chapter One is especially valuable as Blenkinsopp provides an historical overview of Pentateuchal scholarship to date. This chapter brings the reader up to par and offers the author a starting point for his readable critique. In short, Blenkinsopp suggests that the hard lines of Pentateuchal source theory should be softened so that a multitude of influences can be discovered and appreciated. Perhaps the greatest insight of this author is the realization that no critical theory is perfect and that the insights of numerous theories can often prove useful.