Review by Choice Review
Revising the best commentary has made it even better. The most useful new feature is the use of arrows to indicate that additional information can be found in the companion The HarperCollins Bible Dictionary, ed. by Paul J. Achtemeier (1996), creating a synergy that yields a surprising amount of basic information. Additional features include updated bibliographies, introductory articles that take account of recent developments, introductions to sections of Scripture, and revised commentaries on individual books. In keeping with mainstream scholarship, the diversity of texts and theological facts are allowed to stand in unassimilated tension with each other. Despite its brevity, the writers are remarkably in touch with both literary (e.g., redaction) and social (e.g., feminist) criticism, but under the influence of the Society of Biblical Literature, these scholarly approaches are accessible to general readers. Another strength is the use of authors who have written internationally recognized, full-length commentaries on various books--e.g., Dennis T. Olson (Numbers), Fred Craddock (Luke), and David E. Aune (Revelation). Alongside other works such as The New Jerome Biblical Commentary, ed. by Raymond E. Brown et al. (1999) for a Catholic perspective, and New Bible Commentary (1986), ed. by D.A. Carson (4th ed., 1994) for an evangelical view, this book is an essential part of any basic reference collection. Highly recommended. S. A. Sanders Southeastern Louisiana University
Copyright American Library Association, used with permission.
Review by Choice Review
