Book Review: Confronting Old Testament Controversies by Tremper Longman III

For some the Old Testament is a stumbling block. Some cannot comprehend why it is written the way it is or how it portrays God. We see a lot of violence in the Old Testament such as wars and Israel wiping out nations. Most want to avoid the Old Testament and just read the New Testament. We need the Old Testament because it is part of the Biblical story of redemption.

There are things in the Old Testament that need to addressed Biblically and theologically. This is what Tremper Longman III attempts to do in his lasts book, Confronting Old Testament Controversies. This book addresses four areas on controversies that are divided into four lengthy chapters. Those areas are:

Creation and Evolution: Are the Bible and Science in Conflict?

History: Did the Exodus and Conquest Happen, Does it Matter?

Divine Violence: Does God Kill?

Sexuality: Is Homosexual Practice Affirmed?

Very tough subjects indeed that need to be addressed from a Biblical worldview. I feel that Longman did do that in a way that does not seem to go beyond one's comprehension. The issue of sexuality is a hot topic for our day. Longman addressed the issue of David and Jonathan's friendship which many think this affirmed a homosexual lifestyle, which is really a misunderstanding of the Biblical text. Longman affirmed that any sexual sin, heterosexual and/or homosexual, is not God's standard of sexuality and even went to Romans 1 to support his claims.

Longman knows there is considerable disagreement regarding controversies in the Old Testament, but that should not be the focus. He wrote:

What is certain is that God created us, but we rebelled against him. He did not give up on us, but pursues a restored relationship with us. That pursuit ultimately led to the cross, the death and resurrection of Jesus. To be reconciled to God, we must be in a relationship with Jesus. He will come again in the future to brings us to himself. For this we can all praise God.

Granted, some of the wording is not how I would say it, but the point is when we come to the Bible, the controversies should not be the ones that draw our attention. The purpose of the Bible is to point to the One who saves us. The One who redeems. The One who wants us to be reconciled to His Father to the praise of His glory.

Thanks Baker Books for letting me review this book.