"Single-volume reference works are always ambitious undertakings, and this dictionary by evangelical publisher Baker Academic is more ambitious than most. [The editors have] compiled an impressive roster of contributors who represent a wide range of conservative (but not narrowly so) British and North American scholars. Their approaches range from dismissive to critically appreciative. In nearly 300 articles they offer an up-to-date treatment of the theology of each book of the Bible as well as of general topics. . . . This work offers a [wide] range of articles on contemporary approaches to biblical interpretation and postmodern philosophical trends. . . . This deserves to be a first-stop reference for evangelical scholars seeking to engage contemporary biblical scholarship."--Steve Young, Library Journal
"A landmark volume for the church's engagement with Scripture. It will be a basic resource on the role and use of the Bible."--Christianity Today Book Awards 2006
"An exhaustive resource offering in-depth definitions of terms commonly encountered when engaged in theologic study of the Bible. . . . Dictionary for Theological Interpretation of the Bible is filled with thoughtful, well-reasoned discourse and is highly accessible to readers of all backgrounds. A valuable resource for amateur and professional theologians, and especially recommended for beginning theologians or others new to the study of Biblical passages."--Susan Bethany, Midwest Book Review
"The essays are directed not to specialists or scholars in the fields touched on by the various topics, though such folk would find many of the articles fascinating. Nor do the articles go into the detail that critical scholars or specialists would require. Rather, the intended audience appears to be seminarians, clergy, and educated laypersons who seek detailed but not technical introductions to the topics. In addition, scholars would find articles outside their area of specialization to be of value as introductions to the topics. . . . The articles are of a good length and tersely written so as to impart a sufficient amount of basic information without becoming too scholarly or detailed. The articles often present various sides of an issue in neutral fashion, so as not to betray the author's own personal opinion. Many of the articles hint at a preference for more conservative positions, but not in a polemical fashion. In this way, many of the articles provide a nice, quick summary of liberal or critical scholarly theories on many topics without passing judgment on them. I found this to be a strength of the volume. . . . Conservative Protestants will find this resource very meaningful and very useful. Critical scholars also will find a number of articles to be of value. . . . The frequent objective presentation of issues will make this a worthwhile tool for a wide range of biblical scholars and biblical theologians."--Robert Gnuse, Catholic Biblical Quarterly
"The book is written on a scholarly level, yet is readable for the educated person. Most articles have a good bibliographic listing at the end, thus opening up the way for additional investigation of the particular topic. . . . This publication is a major step in making available to the reading public a basically lucid reference volume on the various aspects of interpretation of Scripture. The general editor and the many contributors have accomplished the giant task of writing and assembling a mass of material that will serve the serious student well in endeavoring to plumb the depths of the riches of Scripture, and to 'fully furnish' the person who is willing to expend the energy to mine those riches."--Walter M. Dunnett, ACT 3 Review
"The dictionary follows a pattern established by several recent works of having longer essays on key issues, and then using extensive cross-referencing to help the reader find the information he or she needs within the context of these larger articles. This avoids thousands of small, trivial articles on every possible topic, and yields a more satisfying result (a few shy of 300 essays). Each article has a useful, up-to-date bibliography of additional sources. . . . [This volume] is a monumental contribution to current needs. . . . It is a reference volume that will serve both the preacher and the scholar, and deserves a place on the shelf of both."--Mark S. Krause, Stone-Campbell Journal
"There is much that is highly commendable about [Dictionary for Theological Interpretation of the Bible]. . . . This volume is a worthy addition to anyone's library. Indeed, one would be hard-pressed to find a better one-volume biblical or theological dictionary to have on hand. As a testament to the flowering of the theological interpretation of Scripture, its appearance represents a noteworthy milestone in a much-needed movement that is as fresh as it is full of promise."--Bruce Baugus, Calvin Theological Journal
"Single-volume reference works are always ambitious undertakings, and this dictionary providing a unique treasury of resources, is more ambitious than most. The editors have compiled an impressive roster of contributors who represent a wide range of conservative (but not narrowly so) British and North American scholars. . . . This work offers a wide range of articles on contemporary approaches to biblical interpretation and postmodern philosophical trends. It deserves to be a first-stop reference for evangelical scholars seeking to engage contemporary biblical scholarship."--Theological Book Review
"Users will find here an efficiently comprehensive reference to topics that arise in the use of the Bible as the Scripture of the church. . . . Topics are dealt with in an irenic, scholarly, and competent fashion. . . . The unabashed Christian orientation combined with ecumenical openness is refreshing. The dictionary is a valuable resource for theological students, teachers and ministers. Information that puts the books of the Bible in historical perspective is very important. But it is also crucial to view the biblical texts and the work of interpreting them from the perspective of theologians concerned with the Word of God and the faith of the church. After a broad reading in the volume, I find its articles provide that perspective in a critical and comprehensive way."--James L. Mays, Interpretation
"This is not just another Bible dictionary. It is a major new reference work. . . . Kevin Vanhoozer . . . has written a very helpful essay to begin the volume. . . . I have used this volume in my own study and teaching for several months, and I am delighted with what I have found. . . . At the end of the volume, there is a marvelous triple gift: a list of articles by category (e.g., biblical texts, Christianity and Judaism, doctrines/themes, hermeneutics), a topical index, and a Scripture index. These indices make the book much more useful than it would be without them. . . . One can only be grateful for the great riches that are afforded us here, and for the very reasonable price at which they are provided to us. Even more, one must be thankful for the spirit in which this work has been planned and carried out. I hope it will prove to be a model for future collaborative endeavors across the dividing lines of specialties, methodologies, denominations, and ideologies."--James Dunkly, ATLA Newsletter
"I would . . . recommend the Dictionary for Theological Interpretation of the Bible as a helpful resource for those teaching and preaching in the church, particularly when questions regarding biblical interpretation arise."--Doug Heidebrecht, Mennonite Brethren Herald
"Edited by a team of well-respected scholars, the Dictionary for Theological Interpretation of the Bible will prove to be an invaluable single-volume resource for biblical scholars and theologians. . . . Diligent users will be rewarded by well-written, thoroughly researched articles. Bibliographies at the end of each entry are up to date and are themselves a wonderful resource for those who wish to pursue more in-depth research on a given topic. . . . Although articles are arranged alphabetically, a scripture index, topical index, and list of articles by category are handy additions."--Beth M. Sheppard, American Reference Book Annual
"This is not just another Bible dictionary. It is a major new reference work. . . . I have used this volume in my own study and teaching for several months, and I am delighted with what I have found. . . . At the end of the volume there is a marvelous triple gift: a list of articles by category (e.g., biblical texts, Christianity and Judaism, doctrines/themes, hermeneutics), a topical index, and a Scripture index. These indices make the book much more useful than it would be without them. . . . One can only be grateful for the great riches that are afforded us here, and for the very reasonable price at which they are provided to us. Even more, one must be thankful for the spirit in which this work has been planned and carried out. I hope it will prove to be a model for future collaborative endeavors across the dividing lines of specialties, methodologies, denominations, and ideologies."--James Dunkly, Sewanee Theological Review
"The choice of articles goes well beyond what one would expect in such a dictionary and reflects the theological breadth and imagination of the editors. . . . There are many superb contributions . . . which have much to offer any reader who seeks to be critical in constructing a biblical theology. [Dictionary for Theological Interpretation of the Bible] is a very significant resource for general readers, pastors and theologians, and students of theology."--Seamus O'Connell, Journal for the Study of the New Testament Booklist
"This dictionary is both overdue and timely. . . . I have been happy to recommend it to colleagues and students. Its contributors include some of the best theologians and theological interpreters of Scripture in the world. . . . The dictionary treats in one place the kinds of topics one would normally find in at least three different places: a traditional Bible dictionary, a general theological dictionary, and a handbook of biblical interpretation. Moreover, nearly every article--whether biblical, theological, or hermeneutical--seems to be governed by a desire on the part of the author to say something more theological and/or more biblical than one normally finds in traditional dictionaries or handbooks. This dictionary should therefore become a standard reference work for both novice and veteran interpreters of Scripture. . . . The articles in the dictionary are . . . well researched, well written, and highly instructive. . . . Wherever and however the Spirit leads the church forward in a more catholic, holistic, and missional theological interpretation, this excellent resource . . . will be among the tools the Spirit uses (along with the gifted editors and contributors who created it) to 'guide us into all the truth' (John 16:13). It provides a wealth of information and perspectives on texts, hermeneutical strategies, interpreters, and theological topics. For this, we should all be grateful."--Michael J. Gorman, Journal of Theological Interpretation
"What seems to unite the contributors is a feeling that traditional historical criticism is insufficient and that we need a hermeneutic that brings home the Bible's theological message for today. This volume contains a wealth of material that provides a major contribution towards that end."--J. Day, Journal for the Study of the Old Testament Book List
"This is a most useful publication for students and pastors providing succinct introductions to most of the themes which influence the interpretation of the Biblical text."--David Ford, Recursos Teologicos
