Biblical Theology

Abstract

Biblical Theology David A. Bosworth, Christopher T. Begg, Thomas Hieke, Richard A. Taylor, Gerald A. Klingbeil, Todd R. Hanneken, Fred W. Guyette, Robert D. Miller II, Frederick E. Greenspahn, and Joseph E. Jensen David A. Bosworth Catholic University of America Christopher T. Begg Catholic University of America Thomas Hieke Johannes Gutenberg Universität Mainz Richard A. Taylor Dallas Theological Seminary Gerald A. Klingbeil Andrews University Todd R. Hanneken St. Mary's University, San Antonio TX Fred W. Guyette Erskine College and Seminary Robert D. Miller II Catholic University of America Frederick E. Greenspahn Florida Atlantic University Joseph E. Jensen Old Testament Abstracts 883. [Religious Violence] Hector Avalos, The Reality of Religious Violence: From Biblical to Modern Times (The Bible in the Modern World 72; Sheffield: Sheffield Phoenix, 2019). Pp. xiv + 499. $48.75. ISBN 978-1-910928-58-5. In twenty polemic chapters, A. argues that religious violence is a meaningful category of violence and that religion creates needless violence by creating scarce resources (sacred revelations, spaces, people). Religious claims invite counterclaims, which leads to violence. He aligns himself loosely with the "new atheism" and identifies theism as intrinsically unethical. He depicts academic biblical scholarship as complicit in religious violence and calls for academic study of the Bible to undermine biblical claims and bring an end both to biblical studies and religious violence. His book includes reference to the Qur'an and focuses on the Abrahamic religions, but A. does not think the evils of theism are limited to these faiths.—D.A.B. Google Scholar 884. [Incarnation in the Christian Bible] Reinhard Feldmeier and Hermann Spieckermann (Brian McNeil, tr.), God Becoming Human: Incarnation in the Christian Bible (Waco, TX: Baylor University Press, 2021). Pp. xix + 457. Paper $79.99. ISBN 976-1-4813-1354-4. The German original of this volume was published in 2018 under the title Menschwerdung. For an abstract of this German original, see OTA 42 (2019) #793.—C.T.B. Google Scholar 885. [Sexuality in the OT] Irmtraud Fischer, Liebe, Laster, Lust und Leiden. Sexualität im Alten Testament (Theologische Interventionen; Stuttgart: Kohlhammer, 2021). Pp. 176. €19. ISBN 978-3-17-037026-5. F. provides a basic overview of various aspects of human sexuality within the Hebrew Bible. An introductory chapter (I) addresses the language of and for sexuality. The next three chapters (II–IV) deal with sociocultural, anthropological, and pedagogical aspects of sexuality and marriage featured in OT literature (including incest laws, the Primeval History, and Wisdom literature). Chaps. V, VI, and VII reflect on texts about successful and failed sexual relationships, disorders, and irregularities (impotence, infertility, prostitution, etc.). Chap. VIII is dedicated to the aspect of joy in sexual encounters, while chap. IX analyzes the close interconnectedness of sexuality and violence. Finally, chap. X presents issues with the metaphorical use of sexuality for God and God's relationship to Israel (especially in prophetic literature). F. concludes that sexuality affects human life in all its dimensions (chap. XI). The book comes with an index of biblical references.—T.H. Google Scholar 886. [Genesis 2–3] Nathan S. French, A Theocentric Interpretation of : The Knowledge of Good and Evil as the Knowledge for Administering Reward and Punishment (FRLANT 283; Göttingen: Vandenhoeck & Ruprecht, 2021). Pp. 336. €99.99. ISBN 978-3-525-56499-8. This monograph is a revision of the author's doctoral dissertation completed in 2018 at the University of Aberdeen under the direction of Prof. Lena-Sofia Tiemeyer. It seeks to provide a fresh interpretation of the expression hdʿt ṭwb wrʿ ("the knowledge of good and evil") found in Gen 2:9, 17 (cf. 3:5, 22). The book has eight chapters. Chap. 1 provides a brief introduction to the research topic and summarizes F.'s main conclusions. Chap. 2 [End Page 311] traces the history of research on the meaning of the phrase "the knowledge of good and evil," noting certain methodological concerns and clarifying F.'s exegetical methodology. Chap. 3 surveys ANE backgrounds pertinent to the topic, analyzing the theme of divine retribution as an essential part of mšpṭ ("justice") in the Hebrew Bible...