Sunday, May 12, 2019

How do we reconcile the Old Testament with what we think we know?


When I started Seminary about 20 years ago, one of the first courses I took was Old Testament Survey. Other than the Bible, our basic text was an INTRO to OT that had Tremper Longman III’s name on the cover.  I’ve read some other things by Longman, and been impressed, so it was a no-brainer for me to request this book when it became available through the bloggers’ program.
We have issues. As communities, as nations, and on a global level we tend to live on the level of disagreement which can quickly deteriorate into something else. Longman, in his latest book, Confronting Old Testament Controversies: Pressing Questions about EVOLUTION, SEXUALITY, HISTORY and VIOLENCE (Baker Books, 2019) teaches us, among so many other things, that we can disagree and remain friend. It is refreshing to note the level of civility with which he presents his arguments (maybe this book should be require reading for our American Congress)  

Longman is a scholar, and his knowledge shines through again and again. The Old Testament is hard reading for so many of us, and many people would prefer to relegate it to a pile of books that they think “used to be relevant, but since the time of Christ, is ‘out-dated’”. Nothing could be further from the truth.  “Science’ has theories about evolution; historians argue facts, dates and events; LGBT, women’s rights, and other groups clash with God's standards for sexuality (and sexual behavior with its often unintended consequences); and we wonder how a loving God could allow, or perhaps cause, such horrific events as the plagues, wars, and genocide that are part of the Old Testament Narrative. If we disregard the Old Testament, we lose an important part of our understanding of the New Testament.
The Bible—both Old and New Testaments—is an account of God and His mission to reconcile people to himself. In Longman’s view, it is designed to point us to the One who saves, to point us to the creator of all, and call us into relationship with Him.  And this book is a forum to show how the Bible does exactly that.
One of the most positive things about this book is that we are not asked to blindly accept the author’s word for it. He cites others who agree with him, but also names and addresses the opposing viewpoints of the ‘other side of the aisle’. He does so without acrimony, just plainly stating, without embellishment, why he thinks those arguments are wrong. In several instances, he even points out where parts of the argument are right.
But I also have an issue with a part of his style of writing. I lost track of the number of times he mentions an issue, and then without addressing it, says that he will have more to say on the matter later on.  I didn’t keep a list to see if all those issues were indeed addressed, but for me it was confusing, and sometimes I had to go back one or more paragraphs, or pages, to refresh my memory on what he was talking about.
This book is not an easy read, but it is well worth the read, especially if you are struggling with one or more of the topics that Longman addresses (and who doesn’t struggle when what we’re taught in our family, in school, or from friends or the media differs from what the Bible teaches?)
I received a copy of this book as part of the publisher’s bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review.

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