New Interpreter's Bible: Introduction to Prophetic Literature, Isaiah - Ezekiel

The New Interpreter's Bible Commentary - 12 Volume Set #6

by David L. Petersen, Gene Milton Tucker, Christopher R. Seitz

Volume VI includes: Introduction to Prophetic Literature, by David L. Petersen Isaiah 1 39, Gene M. Tucker Isaiah 40 66, by Christopher R. Seitz Jeremiah, by Patrick D. Miller Baruch and the Letter of Jeremiah, by Anthony J. Saldarini Lamentations, by Kathleen M. O Connor Ezekiel, by Katheryn Pfisterer Darr KEY FEATURES: Easy-to-use format detailed, critical Commentary and Reflections (a detailed exposition growing directly out of the Commentary) Coverage of the entire Bible in twelve volumes Includes the Apocryphal/ Deuterocanonical books New material specifically prepared to meet the needs of today s preachers, teachers, and students of the Bible The biblical text is divided into coherent and natural units The ecumenical roster of contributors includes top scholars and emerging new voices Contributors draw upon a variety of approaches Numerous visual aids (illustrations, maps, charts, timelines) enhance understanding and ease of use Introductions to each biblical book cover essential historical, literary, sociocultural, and theological issues The full texts and critical notes of the New International Version(r) and the New Revised Standard Version of the Bible are presented in parallel columns for quick reference and comparison. Download The NIB Vol. 6 Errata Sheet

Genres: Reference

1000 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2001

Reviews

[Steven Bullmer · Rating 2 out of 5]

Way back in 1989 Walter Wink wrote in "Transforming Bible Study": "The form critical method of biblical interpretation is dead." Well, it's not dead; the New Interpreter's Bible is loaded with form criticism scholarship. However, more and more I understand what Wink was trying to say. The answers that form critics arrive at are not the questions people in the pews or people on the street are asking. If our mission as followers of Jesus is "to make disciples," it's hard to do that by knowing structure, genre, setting, and intention--the foundations of form criticism. Moreover, in the old Interpreter's Bible, seminary scholars wrote the Commentary part, while preachers waxed eloquent on the Application part. The result was often a disconnect between what the scholars wrote and the preachers wanted to preach. (That should have been a clue to something!) The New IB rectified the disconnect by having the same scholar write both the Commentary and the Reflections. For those of us who are (or were) preachers, the end result is largely interesting head-trip Reflections from the Academy that don't preach well in most pulpits. And so I'm afraid that more and more I find the information I glean from The New Interpreter's "TBU" - True ... but useless for my ministry in the parish. All that said, it is still the case that, by and large, I enjoyed reading this volume in the series. The authors did a great job of presenting interesting opinions and perspectives on curiosities in Scripture. I appreciated insight into understanding Ezekiel's wild visions, the historical circumstances when Jeremiah was preaching/prophesying, and theories on if there is a "Third Isaiah" who might it be. All of which makes me a whiz at "Bible Jeopardy," but I have to do most of the heavy lifting to transform these Bible insights into a faith that works in real life.

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

NOTE, I did not read the entire 1600+ pages of this book. That's not the kind of book this is. Having just received the set as a gift, I am using this book as a prime source for a bible study of Isaiah that I'm doing at the senior citizen center. Isaiah is tough, and I'm trying to give the seniors some context for understanding it and prophetic literature. It's a great source for a pastor. I don't have the time to do the kind of research I used to do in seminary (which included this series, so I am using this, a couple of study Bibles, and my seminary texts, plus Heschel as sources for the Bible Study. Great, great reference book for biblical studies.

The introduction to prophetic literature, and articles introducing Isaiah 1-39 and 40-65 are really helpful and excellent, clearly and completely presenting a variety of ideas about the book, and the history of that scholarship. I found it an excellent support for my work as a pastor.

[Ephrem Arcement · Rating 5 out of 5]

The New Interpreter's Bible has become my favorite commentary set out there. This volume on the major prophets (and a few other OT books) is formidable in both size and content. Each of the authors of these books in this volume are more than reliable exegetes of their given material. What is unique about the format of the NIB is the parallel translations of NIV and NRSV, concise commentary, and "reflections" which the author appropriates the text. Also notable is the ecumenical approach of the set, both in treating the Apocrypha/deutoro-canonical books and enlisting an inter-denominational assortment of top rate biblical scholars.