556 - Problems of Biblical Theology in the Twentieth Century

Problems of Biblical Theology in the Twentieth Century

By Henning Graf Reventlow
Philadelphia, Fortress, 1986. 188 Pp. $12.95.

Reventlow here follows his earlier Problems of Old Testament Theology in the Twentieth Century (1985) with a similarly comprehensive bibliographic survey of biblical theology. It is unlikely that he has omitted anyone who wrote anything on the topic. Following a short and unhelpful chapter on the "Anglo-Saxon 'Biblical Theology Movement,'" Reventlow devotes the bulk of the book (134 pages) to "The Relation Between the Old Testament and the New." This chapter is especially helpful for its coverage of discussions bearing on Jewish-Christian relations. The final chapter treats "New Approaches to a Biblical Theology."

The book is helpful primarily for its bibliographies, which are comprehensive. It is unfortunate that Reventlow permits himself so little space for assessment. His sparse commentary is always insightful, but readers could use more help in distinguishing the provocative from the merely different. Furthermore, the book suffers from sloppy editing. For example, "J. C. Becker" in the index refers to both J. Christiaan Beker and Joachim Becker. The English translation of Roland de Vaux is noted, but he is quoted in French. So many quotes and references are given in parentheses, and in brackets within parentheses, that it is often unclear whether one is reading Reventlow or someone else. These features mar a book that people really should read.

Ben C. Ollenburger, Associated Mennonite Biblical Seminaries, Elkhart, Ind.