Exodus (Brazos Theological Commentary on the Bible):

Brazos Theological Commentary on the Bible

by Thomas Joseph White, R.R. Reno (Editor)

The Brazos Theological Commentary on the Bible enlists leading theologians to read and interpret scripture creedally for the twenty-first century, just as the church fathers, the Reformers, and other orthodox Christians did for their times and places. Exodus, like each commentary in the series, is designed to serve the church and demonstrate the continuing intellectual and practical viability of theological interpretation of the Bible.

Praise for Exodus in the Brazos Theological Commentary on the Bible

"Thomas Aquinas left us no commentary on Exodus. But Thomas Joseph White succeeds in giving us a sense of what one from his hand might look like today."
--Bruce D. Marshall, Perkins School of Theology, Southern Methodist University

"White's reading of Exodus tackles head-on the peculiarly modern conceit that all that stands between the reader of scripture and wise reading is a lack of knowledge--a deficiency of information. Surely, say White and the Catholic tradition to which he hereby contributes, as readers we typically lack the moral formation to see clearly the text and its truths. As such, we take a journey in tandem with the Israelites: from darkness to light and from slavery in Egypt to life-giving service (and understanding) under God's law. Drawing deeply on the fourfold sense of scripture in dialogue with Aquinas and many other serious theological voices, this commentary will strengthen and challenge all readers in pursuit of the God to whom the book of Exodus bears witness."
--Richard S. Briggs, Cranmer Hall, St. John's College, Durham University

"In his introduction to this extraordinary commentary and reflection on Exodus, Fr. Thomas Joseph White, OP, writes that 'the classical Catholic approach to the moral law on Exodus is in many ways convergent with Judaism.' Thus I can now better understand why Maimonides (who so greatly influenced Thomas Aquinas, Fr. White's auctoritas) taught that Jews like me may learn Torah with Christians like Fr. White, who accept the Torah as divine revelation. In addition to that theological commonality (with differences to be sure), I very much identify with Fr. White's philosophically informed way of reading the Torah."
--Rabbi David Novak, University of Toronto

General editor: R. R. Reno (editor, First Things)
Series editors: Robert W. Jenson (Center of Theological Inquiry)
Robert Louis Wilken (University of Virginia)
Ephraim Radner (Wycliffe College, University of Toronto)
Michael Root (Catholic University of America)
George Sumner (Episcopal Diocese of Dallas)

Genres: Catholic, Scripture

337 pages, Kindle Edition

First published April 19, 2016

About the author

Father Thomas Joseph White, O.P. is rector of the Pontifical University of Saint Thomas Aquinas in Rome (the “Angelicum”). Fr. White is an expert in Thomistic metaphysics, Christology and Roman Catholic-Reformed ecumenical dialogue. Fr. White converted to Catholicism at age 22, while studying at Brown University.

Reviews

[William · Rating 5 out of 5]

I previously read R. R. Reno's Genesis volume in the Brazos Theological Commentary series, and as evident in my two-star review, was not a huge fan. So I picked up this Exodus volume by Thomas Joseph White with some nervousness.

Fortunately, it was excellent. Father White is a well-regarded Thomistic scholar, and his commentary focuses on theological issues as well as the current state of scholarship regarding the historicity of the events recited in Exodus and other non-theological issues. He pursues the same linear format as Reno (starting at Exodus 1 and commenting through to Exodus 40), but he does so in a much more organized fashion with much less repetition. Part of that is no doubt because Exodus is less cyclical than Genesis.

This is a very in-depth commentary. Each chapter, and often individual verses, of Exodus are analyzed across several pages that explore the traditional Thomistic senses of the literal, allegorical, moral, and anagogical. While Fr. White always explains the ultimate Church teaching about an issue, he is careful to present competing strands of thought. This was particularly interesting for me in his discussion of various theories regarding the composition and redaction of Exodus, and the underlying historical basis for everything from the Exodus itself to the construction of the Tabernacle.

Highly recommended for someone interested in a detailed overview of Exodus from the Catholic perspective.

[Alexis · Rating 3 out of 5]

I appreciated this book and much of it was helpful in teaching Exodus in a classroom setting.

However, I did not like a few passages here and there where the theologian viewed everything in 'light of Christ'. At one point he even seemed to declare the Covenant with Moses to be imperfect and not valid.

I do not believe or accept this. CCC781 states... "[God] therefore chose the Israelite race to be his own people and established a covenant with it". We believe, that even today, the Jews are still God's chosen people and their covenant is most assuredly true and correctly established.

Grace is a gift, and to be evangelized and able to embrace Jesus as the Son of God is most assuredly our way to salvation, but this does not make the Covenant with Moses incorrect, ineffectual or 'past'.

Faith builds to Salvation, and for individuals and peoples this will happen at the pace possible and fore-ordained by God.