Genesis

July 1, 2015

This provocative volume edited by Halton (theology, Houston Baptist Univ.; contributor, IVP Dictionary of the Old Testament) presents an engaging conversation among scholars such as James Hoffmeier (Trinity Evangelical Divinity Sch.), Gordon Wenham (Trinity Coll., Bristol), and Kenton Sparks (Eastern Univ.) about the genres in which the opening chapters of the Book of Genesis might be understood. Modern readers often expect ancient writings to be strict nonfiction whereas ancient readers' response was quite different. Hoffmeier views Genesis as descriptive of historical events, Wenham sees it as "protohistory" (an undercurrent of the past, with blurred details), while Sparks argues the authors of Genesis never intended to write history as we understand that term. These contributors hardly settle the debate, and readers will not either, but the questions are stimulating. VERDICT This devout and lively scholarly work offers a faithful way to approach ancient scriptures and is excellent for academic and seminary libraries as well as study groups.

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