In this outstanding commentary J. G. McConville offers a theological interpretation of the Old Testament book of Deuteronomy in the context of the biblical canon. He gives due attention to historical issues where these bear on what can be known about the settings in which the text emerged. His dominant method is one that approaches Deauteronomy as a finished work. McConville argues that in the context of the ancient world Deuteronomy should be understood as the radical blueprint for the life of a people, at the same time both spiritual and political, and profoundly different from every other social, political and religious programe. The book incorporates the tension between an open-minded vision of a perfectly ordered society under God and practical provisions for dealing with the frailty and imperfections of real people. Hence, it is capable of informing our thinking about the organization of societies while maintaining a vision of the kingdom of God.
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J. Gordon McConville is professor of Old Testament and Hebrew at Wycliffe Hall, Oxford, and is a member of the Faculty of Theology at Oxford University. He is the author of Law and Theology in Deuteronomy and Judgement and Promise: Interpreting the Book of Jeremiah.
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9 of 11 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
J. G. McConville is a professor of Old Testament at Gloucestershire (England) and is the first scholar to provide a commentary in the new Apollos Commentary Series. This series is intended primarily for preachers and teachers of the word in aims to help them understand both the culture of the ancient Biblical work and its application into modern society. In this, McConville does an admirable job.
McConville uses the approach of literary criticism. That is, he views Deuteronomy as a carefully-structured organic whole as opposed to a collection of redacted materials. He interacts with the idea that J,E,D, and P all contributed and edited the book and appears to view such theories as helpful, yet more often criticizes redational-critical scholars for overreaching and introducing unnecessary confusion in the text. He also avoids coming down on the historical development of the text, arguing that Deuteronomy is most likely not written by Moses nor introduced during the reigns of Hezekiah or Josiah. Rather than interact with these issues, he delves right into the text, treats it as early, and assumes that the ideal reader will treat the text as a true history of the people of Israel and how they should conduct themselves as the holy people of God.
The book is broken down into various pericopes which normally begin and end at a chapter break. McConville 1) provides an original translation; 2) provides notes on the text, where he interacts with the Hebrew and defends his translation; 3) an analysis of the pericope's form and structure (where, incidentally, he finds many chiasms); 4) verse-by-verse commentary; and 5) an explanation where he sums the pericope up, interacts with other pericopes, points out developing theological themes, and analyzes the pericope's importance for the faithful.
This reviewer finds McConville's theological analysis highly insightful. McConville consistently shows the developing pattern of Deuteronomy, providing depth for particular verses and presenting them as part of an overall, unified work. He further shows that Deuteronomy does not present a theology of glory through human works. That is, he convincingly shows Deuteronomy as a portrait of a loving God who showers blessings upon his people and also a righteous and holy people--not a contract stating that "if Israel acts this way, God will act that way." The theology is deeper and more complex than that; Deuteronomy shows that God is a God of all the earth in addition to being the Israelite's God.
Areas where this volume could be improved are related to the citation and interaction with the New Testament. First, with regard to the citation, the engaging prose provided by McConville was all-too-frequently obscured by a ridiculous amount of parenthetical citation. Bible verses, citations from modern authors, quotes from other sources, and lengthy tangential comments were cited in parenthesis, which prevented a clear presentation of the theological findings. Quite frankly, the super-abundance of parentheses was highly frustrating. Page 437 even features an entire paragraph in parentheses! Footnotes are always preferred, and this is especially so for an author who uses citations so liberally.
With regard to interaction with the New Testament, little attention was given to the Church's use of Deuteronomy, Messianic prophesy, typology, and similar issues with would be particularly beneficial for the Christian reader. While the reader understands that the author prefers to show how Deuteronomy is important to the Old Testament people of God, Deuteronomy is also important to the New Testament people of God and informs our faith as well. An examination of how would have been much appreciated.
In all, this has proven to be a highly enjoyable and stimulating treatment of an important Biblical book. The pastor would do well to read it. It is recommended.
McConville uses the approach of literary criticism. That is, he views Deuteronomy as a carefully-structured organic whole as opposed to a collection of redacted materials. He interacts with the idea that J,E,D, and P all contributed and edited the book and appears to view such theories as helpful, yet more often criticizes redational-critical scholars for overreaching and introducing unnecessary confusion in the text. He also avoids coming down on the historical development of the text, arguing that Deuteronomy is most likely not written by Moses nor introduced during the reigns of Hezekiah or Josiah. Rather than interact with these issues, he delves right into the text, treats it as early, and assumes that the ideal reader will treat the text as a true history of the people of Israel and how they should conduct themselves as the holy people of God.
The book is broken down into various pericopes which normally begin and end at a chapter break. McConville 1) provides an original translation; 2) provides notes on the text, where he interacts with the Hebrew and defends his translation; 3) an analysis of the pericope's form and structure (where, incidentally, he finds many chiasms); 4) verse-by-verse commentary; and 5) an explanation where he sums the pericope up, interacts with other pericopes, points out developing theological themes, and analyzes the pericope's importance for the faithful.
This reviewer finds McConville's theological analysis highly insightful. McConville consistently shows the developing pattern of Deuteronomy, providing depth for particular verses and presenting them as part of an overall, unified work. He further shows that Deuteronomy does not present a theology of glory through human works. That is, he convincingly shows Deuteronomy as a portrait of a loving God who showers blessings upon his people and also a righteous and holy people--not a contract stating that "if Israel acts this way, God will act that way." The theology is deeper and more complex than that; Deuteronomy shows that God is a God of all the earth in addition to being the Israelite's God.
Areas where this volume could be improved are related to the citation and interaction with the New Testament. First, with regard to the citation, the engaging prose provided by McConville was all-too-frequently obscured by a ridiculous amount of parenthetical citation. Bible verses, citations from modern authors, quotes from other sources, and lengthy tangential comments were cited in parenthesis, which prevented a clear presentation of the theological findings. Quite frankly, the super-abundance of parentheses was highly frustrating. Page 437 even features an entire paragraph in parentheses! Footnotes are always preferred, and this is especially so for an author who uses citations so liberally.
With regard to interaction with the New Testament, little attention was given to the Church's use of Deuteronomy, Messianic prophesy, typology, and similar issues with would be particularly beneficial for the Christian reader. While the reader understands that the author prefers to show how Deuteronomy is important to the Old Testament people of God, Deuteronomy is also important to the New Testament people of God and informs our faith as well. An examination of how would have been much appreciated.
In all, this has proven to be a highly enjoyable and stimulating treatment of an important Biblical book. The pastor would do well to read it. It is recommended.
17 of 24 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
I hate to give this commentary only three stars. Its specialty is its biblical-theological nature. McConville interprets each passage in the light of the broader theology of Scripture. Rather than appraoching each passage as though it stood alone, he excels at synthesizing it with the broader theological context. So for an interpretation of Deuteronomy that is scripturally broad and thought-provoking, this is the one. However, McConville has been strongly influenced by James D.G. Dunn. McConville's interpretation of one of the most important passages in Deuteronomy (30:1-14) is strongly influenced by Dunn's maverick interpretations of Romans 10 (which quotes Deut. 30:11-14). I was very disappointed that McConville, who often shows real insight in disproving liberal opinion, swallowed Dunn hook, line, and sinker.
7 of 11 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
I have been preaching through Deuteronomy - and have been struggling to make it relevant and engaging. Picked this up because I pastor a conservative evangelical church and IVP is a publisher I trust, and because NIV Application series has not yet finished the volume on Deuteronomy. I have gone through 6 commentaries and this one is solid - helps fill in some background and some good insights. Treats from an UK perspective which is interesting, and treats higher critical and historical consideration well enough. I still use the others and still wish I had the NIV Application volume.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
A little boring, but can be life changing
I read this book for a seminary class and found it to be very detailed. The reading is difficult (those who are new in the faith: maybe you should hold off on this one for now! Read more
Published on September 3, 2009 by Steven A. Leap
Good Commentary
McConville does a good job of bringing out all the hidden secrets of Deuteronomy. He breaks down everything so it can simply be made known on a young scholar level. Read more
Published on April 5, 2008 by James B. Angus
Inside This Book
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First Sentence:
The name 'Deuteronomy' comes from the Greek translation (LXX) of Deut. 17:18, which misunderstands the phrase 'a copy of this law' as 'this second law' (to deuteronomion touto). Read the first page Key Phrases - Statistically Improbable Phrases (SIPs): (learn more)
profane slaughter, catchword link, altar law, deuteronomic theme, futility curses, singular address, election theology, tithe law, slave release, cultic assembly, covenant breach, deuteronomic law, worshipping other gods, deuteronomic language, impoverished person, holy sphere, plural address, debt release, deuteronomic theology, ancient oath, abhorrent thing, present verse, deuteronomic code, accidental homicide, priestly tribe Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
Dead Sea, Tent of Meeting, Ten Commandments, First Commandment, Reed Sea, Fifth Commandment, King Josiah, Wadi Arnon, Israel's God, Arabah Road, Blessing of Moses, River Jordan, Sea of Galilee, Tenth Commandment, Wadi Zered, Day of Atonement, Destroy Canaanite, Eighth Commandment, Explanation Deut, God Yahweh, King Jehoshaphat, Minette de Tillesse, Sixth Commandment, Vassal Treaties of Esarhaddon New!
Books on Related Topics | Concordance | Text Stats Browse Sample Pages:
Front Cover | Table of Contents | First Pages | Index | Back Cover | Surprise Me!
The name 'Deuteronomy' comes from the Greek translation (LXX) of Deut. 17:18, which misunderstands the phrase 'a copy of this law' as 'this second law' (to deuteronomion touto). Read the first page Key Phrases - Statistically Improbable Phrases (SIPs): (learn more)
profane slaughter, catchword link, altar law, deuteronomic theme, futility curses, singular address, election theology, tithe law, slave release, cultic assembly, covenant breach, deuteronomic law, worshipping other gods, deuteronomic language, impoverished person, holy sphere, plural address, debt release, deuteronomic theology, ancient oath, abhorrent thing, present verse, deuteronomic code, accidental homicide, priestly tribe Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
Dead Sea, Tent of Meeting, Ten Commandments, First Commandment, Reed Sea, Fifth Commandment, King Josiah, Wadi Arnon, Israel's God, Arabah Road, Blessing of Moses, River Jordan, Sea of Galilee, Tenth Commandment, Wadi Zered, Day of Atonement, Destroy Canaanite, Eighth Commandment, Explanation Deut, God Yahweh, King Jehoshaphat, Minette de Tillesse, Sixth Commandment, Vassal Treaties of Esarhaddon New!
Books on Related Topics | Concordance | Text Stats Browse Sample Pages:
Front Cover | Table of Contents | First Pages | Index | Back Cover | Surprise Me!
Citations (learn more)
This book cites 100
books:
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- Old Testament (Teach Yourself Series) by J. G. McConville on 6 pages
- Deuteronomistic History by Martin Noth on page 29, and page 32
- Ancient Israelite Religion: Essays in Honor of Frank Moore Cross by S. Dean McBride Jr. in Back Matter (1), and Back Matter (2)
- Jesus and Divorce by Gordon Wenham in Back Matter
- Law and the Administration of Justice in the Old Testament and Ancient East by Hans Jochen Boecker in Back Matter
See all 100 books this book cites
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