Theological Commentary: Evangelical Perspectives

by R. Michael Allen (Editor)

The burgeoning "theological interpretation of Scripture" movement has gained much notoriety, but it has yet to demonstrate consistently that dogmatic reflection both aids and flows from exegesis of biblical texts. This volume includes essays on critical passages related to a number of key doctrinal loci (e.g. Genesis 1, Exodus 3, Proverbs 8, John 1). It also intentionally offers examples of theological commentary on various genres of Scripture (on biblical narrative, poetry, wisdom, gospels, and epistles), showing how the whole Bible can be read theologically for the church. The volume includes essays by notable scholars conversing with the canon, the creed, and our contemporary including Kevin Vanhoozer, Michael Horton, Henri Blocher, R. W. L. Moberly, and D. A. Carson.

232 pages, Paperback

First published December 15, 2011

About the author

R. Michael Allen (PhD, Wheaton College) is Kennedy Associate Professor of Systematic Theology at Knox Theological Seminary in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. He is ordained in the Evangelical Presbyterian Church and is the author of several books.

Reviews

[Scott Bielinski · Rating 4 out of 5]

Like most edited volumes, the essays are a bit uneven. Blocher and Swain had the strongest contributions on John 1 and Mark 12, respectively. Overall, a solid, if not entirely satisfying, exploration in theological interpretation of Scripture.

[Jon Watson · Rating 5 out of 5]

From my review posted on the Logos Academic Blog:

Some books are devotional and some are academic commentary, but it is rare to find a helpful combination of both. Theological Commentary: Evangelical Perspectives deftly walks that line. It never sacrifices its academic rigor, yet the theological focus devotionally points the reader squarely to the character of God. For both learning and devotional reading, I commend this volume to you as a wonderful addition to your library.

Edited by R. Michael Allen, Theological Commentary brings together a handful of essays from evangelical scholars which comment on a range of Scripture passages. Contributors include Michael Horton, D. A. Carson, Kelly M. Kapic, Kevin Vanhoozer, and many more. Each essay examines a passage not in light of recent debate or textual variance, but in light of what the Bible teaches about who God is, and what the passage in question contributes to that understanding. This volume invites us to lift our heads from the dusty tomes of higher criticism and survey the beautiful theological landscape which binds the Church to the study of God’s Word.

My family recently suffered the loss of a loved one, and this morning I turned to Kelly M. Kapic’s chapter in this book on Psalm 22, where I found great help and comfort. This chapter, titled “Forsakenness and the God Who Sings,” begins with a survey of the structure and flow of the psalm, moving to asking questions about who the psalm is describing, and ending by looking at the psalm in relation to Jesus.

This moving psalm has been amplified in Christian study throughout church history as Jesus shouted its opening line from the cross: “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” Kapic makes several important notes about this phrase throughout his chapter. First, that such a cry implies a time when God was near.

[Nate Claiborne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Overall though, I would say for anyone particularly interested in theological commentary, or theological interpretation of Scripture, this is a good collection of essays to get your feet wet. There is outstanding examples of the best theological commentary can offer (in my opinion Vanhoozer and Blocher) as well as others doing a fine job tying exegesis and theology together (Allen, Swain, Kapic, Treier, Peterson). You also get the perceptive analysis of an OT scholar (Walter Moberly) as well as D. A. Carson’s scholarly assessment and critique of the general stream of theological interpretation. In short, it’s a great introduction to a growing discipline, and just waiting for your attentive interaction.

For a full review see my blog