Journal: Grace Journal
Volume: GJ 13:2 (Spring 1972)
Article: Book Reviews
Author: Anonymous

GJ 13:2 (Spr 72) p. 33

Book Reviews

Introduction to the Old Testament. By Ronald Kenneth Harrison. Grand Rapids: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 1969, pp. 1325, $12.50.

The author of this massive work is currently Professor of Old Testament at Wycliffe College, University of Toronto. Dr. R. K. Harrison has earned B.D., M.Th., and Ph.D. degrees from the University of London and has written several other books.

The initial section of the book of nearly 500 pages deals with a number of important areas of Old Testament study: The development of O.T. studies, O.T. archaeology, ancient Near Eastern chronology, the text and canon of the O.T., O.T. history, O.T. religion, and O.T. theology. Each of these Dr. Harrison surveyed in a critical manner with the views of the leading scholars analyzed and the major literature reviewed. These are followed by 700 pages of introductory material about each O.T. book. The last 200 pages contain an introduction to the Apocrypha at the request of the publisher.

Dr. R. K. Harrison’s position is conservative in emphasis and very similar to that of K. A. Kitchen. As a Christian scholar he insists that the Bible should be understood in the context of ancient Near Eastern history, sociology, and literature. He believes that scholars should be willing to follow the facts wherever they lead. Because of this principle Dr. Harrison is highly critical of the evolutionary presupposition of modern higher criticism which is accepted uncritically by large numbers of scholars. However, he accepts late dates for the Exodus and Conquest and, therefore, for the Patriarchs. He believes that the dates in Judges and 1 Kings 6 are schematic and not understood properly by the Western mind set. He understands the flood of Noah as one of the many local floods of antiquity. So Dr. Harrison’s views are not an uncritical acceptance of the “conservative line.”

The reviewer appreciated Dr. Harrison’s appraisal of the development and present state of affairs in O.T. scholarship. He indicated that the initiative now appears to be with the American scholars, especially with the followers of William F. Albright and Cyrus H. Gordon. He believes that their methodology has helped to direct the attention of O.T.

GJ 13:2 (Spr 72) p. 34

students from the a priori speculations of Wellhausensim to the archaeological and literary facts of the ancient Near East.

One has to say that Introduction to the Old Testament by R. K. Harrison is by far the most comprehensive and up-to-date, conservative-oriented O.T. introduction on the market today. It outshines all others in this category. It is a well written and stimulating book. It has ex...