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The Old Testament Without Illusions
John L. McKenzie Reprint Series
Imprint: Wipf and Stock
268 Pages, 5.50 x 8.50 x 0.56 in
- Paperback
- 9781606080443
- Published: January 2009
$34.00 / £30.00 / AU$46.00
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While, for many, the old and destructive controversy as to whether the Bible is to be taken literally has long since been resolved, modern research and scholarship has progressed far beyond this debate.
The point of the research has not been to destroy the credibility of the Bible but rather to understand Scripture better. In the process many popular and traditional certainties have fallen by the wayside. Scholars doubt that Moses led the Israelites across the Red Sea or into the Sinai; that David is the author of the Psalms, or indeed that Solomon was even wise. These and dozens of other illusions are being stripped away -- and more will surely follow. Beyond this there are the larger contradictions which exist between the law and spirit of the Old and New Testaments.
The modern believer needs both to know of these findings and put them into a perspective which will enhance rather than diminish understanding of the Scriptures.
Father John L. McKenzie (1910-1991), an Old Testament biblical scholar who taught at Loyola University of Chicago, University of Chicago, Notre Dame and DePaul University, is considered one of the most influential post-WW2 scholars who oriented Catholic thinkers toward modern biblical scholarship. Beyond being a prolific writer of books and articles, he was the first Catholic president of the Society of Biblical Literature, and served as president for the Catholic Biblical Association and for Clergy and Laity Concerned.
"There are few who can match (McKenzie's) honesty and grace."
The Christian Century
"It is cause for rejoicing that the scriptural reflections of John L. McKenzie are once more available. We are the richer for his erudition and saving sense of humor."
Daniel Berrigan, 2008
"Father John McKenzie led American Roman Catholic scholarship into the mainstream of critical biblical scholarship. In sum, he incorporated in terms of biblical scholarship the best of the Second Vatican Council."
Jim Robinson, 2008