The Hebrew Bible, the Old Testament, and Historical Criticism: Jews and Christians in Biblical Studies

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Summary: Outstanding essays on academic and religious Bible study
Review: Jon D. Levenson's collection of essays on the impact of historical-critical Bible study on religious thought & the secular academy is compelling and provocative throughout. A few of the questions that Levenson introduces: 1) Is the critical method of modern Bible study something new, or has it existed in Jewish and Christian scholarship for many centuries? 2) Does the academic study of the Bible really put Jews and Christians on even-footing for discussing Scripture's meaning? 3) Why have Jews never created a "Biblical Theology"? 4) What does the University stand to lose by seeing Scripture only through the lens of diachronic, historical scholarship? Levenson is a professor of Hebrew Bible at Harvard University, and is well known for his remarkable insight and clarity of thought, as well as for his absolutely unique sense of humor. A great read for the scholar & the simply curious!

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Summary: Absolutely vital for Christian students of Bible
Review: Levenson's critique of the unwarranted assumptions about theHebrew Bible ("Old" Testament) is stunningly powerful andwill open the eyes and minds of all of us who are Christians engagedin serious study of the scriptures. Provocative in concept but elegant in prose, the book shifts the Jewish/Christian dialogue about the Bible to an entirely new and different framework. Levenson's incisive and unblinking exposure of what are essentially anti-semitic currents flowing through much of what has been imagined as objective, critical scholarship is especially powerful and important. His scholarship and erudition are combined with a rare and precious passion for understanding. The importance of this unassuming-looking book cannot be overestimated.

Rating:
Summary: Absolutely vital for Christian students of Bible
Review: Levenson's critique of the unwarranted assumptions about theHebrew Bible ("Old" Testament) is stunningly powerful andwill open the eyes and minds of all of us who are Christians engagedin serious study of the scriptures. Provocative in concept but elegant in prose, the book shifts the Jewish/Christian dialogue about the Bible to an entirely new and different framework. Levenson's incisive and unblinking exposure of what are essentially anti-semitic currents flowing through much of what has been imagined as objective, critical scholarship is especially powerful and important. His scholarship and erudition are combined with a rare and precious passion for understanding. The importance of this unassuming-looking book cannot be overestimated.