Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy (Ancient Christian Commentary on Scripture: Old Testament, Volume III) [Hardcover]

Joseph T. Lienhard (Editor)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 30, 2001 | Series: Ancient Christian Commentary on Scripture (Book 3)

From its inception the church has always had a Bible--the Jewish Scriptures. But Christians have not read these Scriptures in the same way the Jews did. They have read them in the light of what God did in Jesus the Christ. Thus the Jewish Scriptures became for Christian readers the Old Testament. This Ancient Christian Commentary on Exodus through Deuteronomy bears ample witness to this new way of reading these ancient texts. Among the earliest interpreters whose works remain extant is Origen, who virtually single-handedly assured the Old Testament a permanent place within the Christian church through his extensive commentary and reflection. His twenty-seventh homily on Numbers is particularly noteworthy for his interpretation of the forty-two stopping places in the desert wanderings as the forty-two stages of growth in the spiritual life. Among Greek-speaking interpreters, the current volume draws widely on John Chrysostom, Clement of Alexandria, Basil the Great, Gregory of Nazianzus, Gregory of Nyssa, Cyril of Alexandria, Theodoret of Cyr and John of Damascus. Among Latin-speaking interpreters, quotations from Augustine, Ambrose, Jerome, Peterius, Caesarius of Arles, Cassiodorus and Isidore are found in abundance. Ephrem and Aphrahat are represented among Syriac speakers. Numerous other interpreters are present from each grouping. Varied in texture and nuance, the interpreters included in this volume edited by Joseph T. Lienhard display a treasure house of ancient wisdom that speaks with eloquence and intellectual acumen to the church today.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Lienhard, S.J., is professor of theology, serving on the faculty of the medieval studies program at Fordham University.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 414 pages
• Publisher: IVP Academic (August 30, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0830814736
• ISBN-13: 978-0830814732
• Product Dimensions: 10 x 7 x 1.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #551,695 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Thomas C. Oden (Ph.D., Yale University) recently retired as Henry Anson Buttz Professor of Theology at The Theological School of Drew University in Madison, New Jersey. He is general editor of the Ancient Christian Commentary on Scripture and author of numerous theological works, including a three-volume systematic theology.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

28 of 29 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars I appreciate what the series is trying to do. . ., November 13, 2001

By 

Peter Abelard (11th century Paris, France) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy (Ancient Christian Commentary on Scripture: Old Testament, Volume III) (Hardcover)

. . .but I believe that the Pentateuch has been given short shrift.

I completely understand the rationalization behind dividing Genesis into two volumes (1-11 and 12-50). What I cannot understand is the rationalization behind throwing the remaining four books into a single volume.

I realize that the very nature of parts of Exodus, Leviticus, parts of Numbers and parts of Deuteronomy would make a commentary of this type far more difficult -- but there is a great deal of narrative in those books as well, upon which the Fathers did, in fact, comment.

I got the impression that this volume was assembled perhaps too hastily. It just doesn't contain the wealth of information that is found in many of the other books.

I'll continue purchasing the series, of course -- but this volume does not represent the best of what "Ancient Christian Commentaries" has to offer.