Tributes are being paid to renowned Biblical scholar Gordon Wenham, who has died.
Wenham, born in 1943, was a Reformed British Old Testament theologian and writer, and was once described by US academic Tremper Longman as “one of the finest evangelical commentators today”.
Writing on social media, L. Michael Morales, professor of Biblical Studies at Greenville Presbyterian Theological Seminary, South Carolina, said: “Peacefully in his sleep … Gordon J. Wenham entered the glories of heaven. To be with Christ is better by far. I thank the LORD for his godly example and fruitful scholarship.”
And Peter J. Williams, Principal of Tyndale House, Cambridge – the international Biblical studies library – wrote: “Gordon Wenham was a wonderful Old Testament scholar.” He cited Wenham’s service on the council of Tyndale House, his time as chair of the Tyndale Fellowship (which brings together theologians in contemporary evangelical scholarship) and his reviews for the publication the Tyndale Bulletin.
Williams added: “He was PhD supervisor to many and a kind encourager. He has left us with many publications including his magisterial two-volume Word Biblical Commentary on Genesis.”
Gordon Wenham read theology at Cambridge University, and completed a PhD on Deuteronomy in 1970.
Wikipedia summarised his career as follows: “[Wenham] studied theology at Cambridge University, and went on to do Old Testament research at King’s College London. He spent time at Harvard University and in Jerusalem at the École Biblique and the Hebrew University.
“He taught Old Testament in the Department of Semitic Studies of Queen’s University in Belfast before moving to Cheltenham. He has held teaching positions or served as visiting lecturer at a range of institutions around the world… From 1995 to 2005, Wenham was Senior Professor of Old Testament at the University of Gloucestershire. He then moved to Trinity College, Bristol.”
Among his publications were: Genesis 1-15 and 16-50 in the Word Biblical Commentary – an introduction and series; Numbers commentary; Psalms as Torah – reading Biblical song ethically; Exploring the Old Testament – the Pentateuch; Rethinking Genesis 1-11; Jesus, Divorce and Remarriage in Their Historical Setting; and The Psalter Reclaimed – praying and praising with the psalms.
He also contributed to the New Bible Commentary 21st Century edition and the ESV Study Bible.
Trevin Wax, Vice President of Research and Resource Development at the North American Mission Board, wrote: “I remember distinctly the first Gordon Wenham books I was assigned as a Bible school student overseas. Thankful for his scholarship and devotion.”
Wenham’s contributions to theological journal Themelios included “Recent Old Testament Study – an evangelical assessment”, and “The Place of Biblical Criticism in Theological Study”.
