In some ways the title of this book does it a disservice. It is likely to be overlooked by anyone not working in the field of religion and/or theology. This would be unfortunate as its usefulness to researchers in many areas is masked by its primarily religious title.
The book aims to bring together terms used by biblical scholars in interpreting the Bible, its history, texts, context and theology. The author acknowledges that it is modelled on a well‐known reference book in the field of literature, A Handbook of Literature, published by Prentice‐Hall. The fact that it follows the format of this much‐respected book only emphasises how useful Tate's work is, and it seems likely it will follow its model to become a standard reference work in its own field. The author claims that there are two reasons for producing the book at all: first, there is no comparable work available to scholars, preachers, pastors or the general enquirer and second there is a need to bring together in one place information about the many different methods used in biblical criticism, information about which is currently scattered over a wide range of disciplines and reference sources.
The work consists of a series of entries on many different topics, arranged alphabetically. These occupy 394 of the pages. The selective bibliography covers 27 pages and is divided up by broad subject headings. There are two linked appendices: the first is a new critical reading of Mark's gospel and the second is a reader‐response analysis of the Gospel of Mark. Finally there are author and Scripture indexes. The work covers a very wide range of topics, ranging through theology, history, linguistics, philosophy, literary criticism, politics and even bibliography. Entries vary in length considerably and it is not always the obvious terms that get the longest treatment. For example Morpheme gets four lines but Monotheism gets only one! At the other end of the scale Formalism gets five and a half pages, Cultural Materialism three and a half and Mujeristia theology/criticism (surely a phrase on every reader's lips?) weighs in at nearly seven pages. Entries that give straightforward definitions do not have bibliographies or references attached but those dealing with particular theories, processes or concepts are provided with essential further references to allow the enquirer to pursue the topic further. There are numerous and extensive cross‐references which make it much easier to find the necessary information, especially for the general reader who may not be familiar with the terminological structure of the disciplines involved.
The coverage of the book is very wide indeed and to say it is a handbook of terms and methods tells only half the story. Many of the concepts and methods described are equally well established in the area of literary criticism generally. For example semiotics (the study of signs and symbols) or postmodernism have a much wider application than the Bible. Neither is the book confined to theories or attitudes sympathetic to the whole idea of religion. The beginning of the entry for Reification shows the breadth of this work
A term in MARXIST CRITICISM, especially that of Georg Lukács, for the economic process through which social relations between humans are transformed in capitalism into relations between objects and things.
In the same way, the technique called “interiorization” (by which the narrator of a story appears to understand the workings of the mind of the character about which the story is being told) is applicable across any form of literature which the story is structured in that way. At the other end of the scale from philosophy is a very practical entry for “vellum” to explain what it is and why it has become interchangeable with the word “parchment”. Each entry is clearly written and well structured, often with examples from Scripture to illustrate particular points. Although intended for scholars the non‐specialist will easily understand most basic entries but, inevitably, many are highly technical and can be challenging in terms of vocabulary as well as the concepts they convey.
The Bible is a crucial element in the culture of the Abrahamic religions (Judaism, Christianity and Islam). It is a fundamental element in Western literature, philosophy and art and permeates thought‐patterns and everyday speech in many cultures throughout the world. Whether or not one is a believer of any kind, the Bible cannot be ignored as a source of ideas, influences, aphorisms and stories. For these reasons alone this book deserves to be considered as a useful tool for the non‐religious library or scholar. It provides a wealth of valuable information about many aspects of the Bible, literary criticism, social and cultural anthropology, philosophy ad philology. For the religious‐minded it gives the opportunity to find depth and greater understand in many well‐known and often over‐played texts. As a scholarly work it stands with the giants in the field. Not only is it well written and excellently produced, but also the price is such that over‐stretched library budgets can easily accommodate it to make it accessible to members of the general public. It should find a place on every academic library shelf and also in the most modest of private collections built up by pastors and general readers. Thoroughly to be recommended.
