In Tuell's reading, the books of Chronicles can become a canonical model for reading and interpreting scriptures in today's new context. Scripture interpreting scripture can teach subsequent generations to find renewal in scripture. Mark E. Biddle Baptist Theological Seminary at Richmond Richmond, VA
The Gospel of Matthew, by Rudolf Schnackenburg. Trans. Robert R. Barr. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2002. 329 pp. $24.00. ISBN 0-8028-4438-3. In this volume Rudolf Schnackenburg (late professor emeritus of New Testament exegesis at the University of Würzburg, Germany) offers a concise but critical reading of the Gospel of Matthew. This commentary is an English translation of a two-volume German work that was first published between 1985 and 1987 - the aim of which was to provide a "spiritual reading" of the First Gospel. Because of this aim, one should not expect to find the same detailed treatment of issues or highly technical language as in Schnackenburg's monumental commentaries on the Gospel of John, Ephesians or the Johannine Epistles. However, as anyone familiar with Schnackenburg's careful exegesis would expect, there
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is significant interaction with the biblical text. Though he shows a keen awareness of outside discussions and the secondary literature, his presentation is not weighed down with lengthy footnotes or citation after citation. In fact, there are very few intrusions in his otherwise homogeneous exegetical treatment and there is no bibliography at the end. Rather, in the few places where Schnackenburg has found it necessary to refer the reader to a helpful secondary source, he has cited the pertinent work in parentheses at the end of his own discussion. In effect, the reader is treated to pure exegesis - a treatment which, in places, might more appropriately be termed "pure Schnackenburg." Because this is purely Schnackenburg's reading of the text, a reading not primarily concerned with engaging other views, there are places where his m e t h o d s and conclusions lack validation. For instance, throughout his discussion Schnackenburg assumes the existence of a "sayings source," used during the compositional history of the Gospel. He assumes this source without arguing for its existence or even stating that it exists. While generally accepted among New Testament scholars, such a source remains hypothetical. Also, there are places where he affirms the historicity of a given event and other places where he denies it, yet he does both without a sustained argument and without the exposition of a concrete methodology
Book Reviews Review and Expositor, 100, Winter 2003
for arriving at such conclusions. None of these limitations ultimately hurt the presentation, but for the critical reader, Schnackenburg's biases may Jesus of Nazareth, by Dorothée Soelle raise as many questions as his and Luise Schottroff. Trans, by John conclusions answer. From that Bowden. Louisville: Westminster John perspective, this is a true strength of Knox, 2002. 158 pp. $14.95. ISBN 0the commentary. The introduction to 664-22500-4. the commentary proper also raises as many, if not more questions than In this brief book, theologian answers. As a preface to his exegesis, Dorothée Soelle and New Testament Schnackenburg briefly covers a host scholar Luise Schottroff collaborate on of background, interpretive and an overview of the life and ministry theological issues relating to Matthew, of Jesus of Nazareth. These two all of which inform the reader as to respected German feminist scholars the direction the discussion will take cover the familiar territory of at various points throughout the parables, healings, and prophetic commentary. actions while reconstructing the social Overall, the approach and content context of Jesus' life as a first century of this commentary show itinerant living under the oppressors Schnackenburg's exegetical prowess of his day. Written in an accessible, yet as well as his pastoral sensitivities. No polemical manner, the book presents matter what one may think of his a liberationist reading of the Gospel presuppositions or conclusions, it is accounts for a general audience. hard not to recognize that this Indeed, this book would serve well as commentary is a concise, intellectually a text for a Synoptic Gospels course honest, exegetically sound and or for a group of lay readers looking theologically profound reading of for a completely different way of Matthew. This commentary will prove understanding the pivotal figure of to be a helpful resource for both the the faith. specialist and the non-specialist. For Soelle and Schottroff probe the anyone wishing to become conversant canonical Gospels, seeking evidences with the major themes within and the of egalitarian u n d e r s t a n d i n g s of major theological discussions sur- women and men in this burgeoning rounding Matthew's Gospel, this Reign of God, as well as taking care volume is highly recommended. to counter readings that would promote anti-Semitism or Christian Christopher W. Skinner, Sr. triumphalism. The authors supThe Catholic University of plement their brief chapters with America informative sidebars to promote the Washington, D. C. reader's further exploration. They include a provocative collection of
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