Review of:
James C. Bangsund: Understanding the Old Testament: An Introduction and Theological Overview. Usa River, Tanzania: Makumira University College, 2007 (Makumira Textbook Series, 6). ISBN: 9987-657-05-2. xiv + 318 pp (Can be ordered from: Makumira University College, P.O. Box 55, Usa River, Tanzania. E-mail: chaplain@makumira.ac.za).
Dr James C. Bangsund is an American who has taught Old Testament Studies and Biblical Hebrew at Makumira University College of Tumaini University, Tanzania, from the mid-1990s and up till 2007, when he returned to the US. The present book represents his legacy as far as Old Testament Studies is concerned, and the book's target group is primarily Bachelor of Divinity students. The book belongs to the traditional ‘introduction' genre, with surveys of structure and content of each book in the Old Testament. However, the book also shows some attention to theological and hermeneutic questions related to a Christian interpretation of the Old Testament; hence the title's key term ‘understanding'. As far as methodology is concerned, the author seems to have a predilection for literary approaches; such as when he argues that whether the Pentateuch was written by Moses or is the result of several authors does not matter very much, either option allows us to hear what the Scripture is saying (p. 22). Still, in general the presentation follows mainstream historical-critical interpretation; such as when Isaiah is taken in three distinct pieces, in spite of the author's acceptance of the book's literary unity (p. 186).
The author should be commended for his balanced and informed presentation of the material, and the book certainly fills a need in universities and theological seminaries in Eastern Africa. Still, it should be noticed that the book makes no references to its African audience. This could have been understandable for a typical ‘introduction', but for a book aiming at ‘understanding the Old Testament' in an African context, one would have wished more attention to the African readership.
Reviewed 2007-12-21by Knut Holter, School of Mission and Theology, Misjonsvegen 34, N-4024 Stavanger, Norway. E-mail: knut.holter@mhs.no
