Idolatry in the Pentateuch: An Innertextual Strategy

by Tracy J. McKenzie

Idolatry in the Pentateuch addresses both the manner in which the Pentateuch was produced and how theological intentions can be discerned from the texts that constitute it. McKenzie attempts to read the final shape of the Pentateuch while not ignoring the diachronic complexities within its pages. Using a compositional approach to the Pentateuch, he establishes his methodology, analyzes several idolatry-related texts, and traces the theological intentions through an inner-textual strategy. Moreover, McKenzie briefly considers the history of interpretation through the last few centuries and discusses the state of Old Testament studies as he understands it.

Genres: Old Testament, Theology

148 pages, Paperback

First published February 4, 2010

Reviews

[Michi · Rating 2 out of 5]

There are a few theological insights, both methodologically and in the conclusions that are worth thinking about, but they could be summed up in 2-3 pages.
Otherwise it is very poorly written (typos, inconsistent form etc.) and repetitive (how often can a person repeat the phrase “this section..” without saying anything new?).
It is a shame that after 100 pages of introduction and proving his case for intertextuality, the analysis of “Idolatry in the Pentateuch” remains shallow and short. One hopes to finally get to the fruits of all the labor beforehand, seeing clearly now what the theological meaning of the composition of the Pentateuch in regards to Idolatry is, but nothing is offered, except a short (and rather disappointing) excursus.

[Joseph DelGrosso · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 stars since he my prof

[Clayton McKenzie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Repetitive but good content

[Stephen Peacock · Rating 4 out of 5]

The structure of this book demands that any reader has to look at the contents of the whole book to fully understand and appreciate its contents. McKenzie’s point in this book was the same exact thing. McKenzies’s Idolatry in the Pentateuch’s composition, structure and flow serve to aid and further emphasize the author’s encouragement to become better theologians, scholars and better Christ followers by looking at the Pentateuch as a whole, rather than in pieces.

[Matthew McGinnis · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book offers an excellent case study for the argument of conceptual unity among the Pentateuch. After the introduction and first chapter detailing the failure of early critical models and the emerging scholastic consensus that the Pentateuch should be considered as a whole, McKenzie puts his method to the test, surveying two nearly identical accounts of idolatry in Exodus and Deuteronomy. His analysis is rather technical and difficult to follow at times, however the first two sections are worth the price of the book. I would recommend this book to anyone interested in Old Testament theology or interpretation.

[Eli · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very interesting ideas in a very uninteresting form.

[Ryan Michaud · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very technical but a good work

[Ashley Clubb · Rating 4 out of 5]

read for class—very technical but informative. not usually the biggest fan of the required readings being work from the teaching professor 🧐

[Tricia Morrison · Rating 4 out of 5]

Veryyyyyyyy technical, but also informative.

[Brady Boatwright · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very academic read. Kinda hurt my brain to read from a comprehension standpoint, but as a student of Dr McKenzie, I enjoyed getting to read his research.

[DJ Scruda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just tryna boost my man TMacs confidence