The Old Testament in Eastern Orthodox Tradition

by Eugen J Pentiuc

This study provides a general overview and a succinct analysis of the primary ways in which the Old Testament has been received, interpreted and conveyed within Eastern Orthodox tradition, filling a vacuum in scholarly literature on the history of biblical interpretation. The book is divided into two Reception and Interpretation. Under Reception issues such as unity and diversity of the Christian Bible, text, canon, and Tradition are considered. The second part, Interpretation, focuses on Eastern Orthodox modes of discursive and intuitive. Among the discursive modes, the patristic exegesis is chosen as a case study. The intuitive modes representing the so-called "liturgical exegesis" are subdivided into aural (hymns, psalmody, lectionaries) and visual (portable icons, frescoes, mosaics).
A special emphasis is placed on the hallmarks of Eastern Orthodox reception and interpretation of the Old Testament, the centrality of Scripture within Tradition, a blend of flexibility and strictness at all levels of the faith community, integrative function and holistic use of the sacred text, a tensed unity of discursive and intuitive modes of interpretation, and a dynamic synergy between formative and informative goals in the use of Scripture.

Genres: Theology, Nonfiction, Christian, History, Christianity, Biblical Studies

448 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2013

Reviews

[Nathan Duffy · Rating 4 out of 5]

The opening section on the relationship of Old Testament to New is troubling. Pentiuc has misgivings about the Church's traditional 'mild supersessionism' and raises objections that are utterly unfounded. Following from these misplaced misgivings, Pentiuc goes on to recommend liturgical reform of Holy Week services, especially certain hymns of Good Friday that are too 'anti-Judaic', and 'not very Christian' (!!) This is folly. The Church's supersessionism (while avoiding the extremes of Marcionites and Manicheans) is not open for re-evaluation.

However, the rest of the book is excellent, especially the sections on Canon, Tradition, and Interpretation. Highly recommended with that one large warning/qualification.

[John Coatney · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book, in large part because I was pleasantly surprised to find that I agree with Pentiuc on nearly all of his major premises (see below). However, the most valuable insight that I gained from this book was the extent to which he emphasized the concept of Scripture in Tradition, in particular how Tradition is thoroughly imbued and permeated with Scripture.

1. Supersessionism can not (and should not) be ignored, but we must take care that it not lead to or permit antisemitism.
2. The Septuagint holds pride of place as the primary OT text of the Church, but there is precedent and value in studying other text traditions (especially the Hebrew text(s)).
3. The OT canon is by no means closed in the Orthodox Church, and one would do well to understand the distinction between the universally recognized books and the anagignoskomena (more commonly but less accurately referred to as the apocrypha or deuterocanonical texts).
4. We do a disservice to discard historical-critical methods of study and assume that patristic exegesis is the only means of biblical studies worth pursuing.

[Ted · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pentiuc makes it clear this is really a ground breaking book for the Orthodox, so it is not intended to be the definitive word on the subject. He introduces some good and interesting thoughts, but also sometimes is simply stating the obvious or what can be known through studying Orthodox sources without adding any insight into the facts. Certainly made me think that the way "Orthodoxy" is often presented today by Orthodox spokespeople - as a unchanging monolith that was born as an adult - is simply wrong. Really Orthodoxy has been undergoing changes through many stages of history - this is clear in its use of scripture and in its iconography. In every period the Church was fully Orthodox, and yet continued to undergo change, gathering deeper insights and sometimes creatively putting together God's revelation. We just now exist in this current stage of Orthodoxy's history and development. Hopefully Orthodoxy will stay alive and continue to interact with its past and its present to be renewed by the Gospel and to be able to present that Gospel vividly to every culture and time period.

[Scott · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a wonderful overview of the interpretation and incorporation of Old Testament scriptures by the Eastern Orthodox Church. Unlike a lot of these sorts of works, I did not find myself bogged down by an overly academic tone, nor did I have to have a Greek or Hebrew dictionary beside me to enjoy it. Truly this is a wonderful analysis that lends quite a bit of insight into the thought, life, and spirituality of the Eastern Orthodox Church.

Whether you are learning about the Orthodox faith, looking to deepen your own faith and understanding of the Liturgies, hymns, synaxaria, and other services of the Church, or are just curious as to the subject matter in general, this is a highly recommended reference. I enjoyed it thoroughly and plan on reading more from Professor Pentiuc in the near future.

[Jacob Lehman · Rating 4 out of 5]

I appreciated learning that the Eastern Orthodox approach to canon is less rigid than the replacement ideology that sought to reject the Old Testament with the new. Pentiuc's description of aural liturgy and visual iconography was unexpected, but insightful as well.

I read this as part of my project to read one book from every aisle of Olin Library at Cornell; you can read my reactions to other books from the project here: https://jacobklehman.com/

A fuller review/reaction is here: https://jacobklehman.com/2019/10/18/g...

[DBA OSB · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is not without its merits. However, the discussion of so-called "supersessionism" in this book is most unfortunate and in places a bit incoherent. It does lead one to doubt the accuracy of the title: does the author's condemnation of so many passages in Byzantine hymnology represent "Eastern Orthodox Tradition"?

[David Galloway · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very good survey of the Old Testament from Fr. Eugen. Arrange topically with chapters such as 'Text' and 'Canon', the book is an excellent scholarly overview, but I would expect no less from a professor who holds a PhD in Near Eastern languages and civilization from Harvard and a ThD in Orthodox theology from the University of Bucharest.

[w gall · Rating 3 out of 5]

He refutes the idea that there is only one meaning for each passage, and elaborates on allegory, typology, and the various modes of the use of the Scriptures for Orthodox Church worship. He didn't get into the passages in the Old Testament that trouble many, including myself.

[Joseph · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book! The sections on the Old Testament and its interpretation via the hymnography and iconography of the Church was illuminating.

[William Tu]

Not recommended. The author despises the Septuagint, which is the Bible used by Jesus Christ and Apostle Paul and all the disciples of the New Testament Church.
The author also uses "C.E." and "B.C.E." as though he wasn't a Christian.