Journal: Bibliotheca Sacra
Volume: BSAC 123:491 (Jul 1966)
Article: Book Reviews
Author: Anonymous

BSac 123:491 (Jul 66) p. 265

Book Reviews

From The Exile To Christ. By Werner Foerster (Translated by Gordon E. Harris). Philadelphia: Fortress Press, 1964. 247 pp.

This work is a translation by Gordon E. Harris of the third edition of Neutestamentliche Zeitgeschichte I: Das Judentum Palastinas zur Aeit Jesu und der Apostel by Werner Foerster, professor of New Testament at the University of Muenster, Germany. In this third edition the author had added new material, especially a fine review of recent Qumran research, to his first edition published in 1940.

It seems to this reviewer that this work could serve as a textbook for the study of New Testament backgrounds because the writer relies heavily on the standard authorities, Strach and Billerbeck, in general keeps himself above disputed questions, and offers the reader a concise, systematic, up-to-date survey of Jewish history and thought from the period of the return from the Exile to the fall of Jerusalem. Throughout the work the author makes constant reference to relevant Jewish literature to develop and clarify the historical, political, social, cultural, and religious aspects of this period.

It should be noted, however, that the author assumes a late date for the composition of many of the Old Testament books including, for example, the Pentateuch and Daniel. Moreover, he is not precise in his treatment of the Messianic Age; for example, he appears to make Paul’s statements in 1 Thessalonians 4 and 1 Corinthians 15 identical with Revelation 20. Otherwise there is little to criticize.

An excellent bibliography and fine indices are appended.

B. K. Waltke

Contemporary Continental Theologians. By S. Paul Schilling. Nashville: Abingdon Press, 1966. 281 pp. $5.00.

This anthology on continental contemporary theology presents the thought of eleven living theologians classified in five categories, three of them Protestants, one Roman Catholic, and one Eastern Orthodox. Protestant theology centering in “theologics of the Word of God” are discussed by Karl Barth, Hermann Diem, and Josef L. Hromadka; Protestant theologies of existence by Rudolf

BSac 123:491 (Jul 66) p. 266

Bultmann, Friedrich Gogarten, and Gerhard Ebeling; and Protestant neo-Lutheran theologies, by Edmund Schlink, and Gustaf Wingren. Roman Catholic theology is represented by Yves M.-J. Congar and Karl Rahner. Eastern Orthodox theology is represented by Nikos A. Nissiotis. The author concludes with a chapter of summary on “Converging and Diverging Paths.”

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