An introduction and survey
By Professor Craig Blomberg.
Apollos. 440 pages. £16.00
ISBN 0 85111 770 8
This remarkable book looks set to become the standard text on the Gospels for Bible and theological colleges, and an invaluable aid to the thoughtful student of Scripture everywhere.
Blomberg's aim (unusual in these days of fragmented knowledge) has been to produce a readable, up-to-date synthesis of the best scholarly work on the life, times and teaching of Jesus. His target audience is his own students at Denver Seminary but the book is pitched at a level that shouldn't tax anyone used to reading non-fiction; even basic concepts are explained.
Ideally a book like this needs two reviews; one from the specialists 'at the top' to say how fairly the text represents the state of the subject, and one from the non-specialist 'at the bottom' to say how well the text communicates its information. This is a review of the latter sort, but the dust-jacket gives glowing citations from David Wenham and Howard Marshall suggesting that they, at least, find it a work of the highest order. Let me list some of its many virtues.
1) It is comprehensive. In under 500 pages, Blomberg seems to cover almost everything. He starts with an overview of intertestamental times, goes through methods of studying the Gospels, gives an introduction to each of the four Gospels and then, in a 200-page survey, covers the life of Christ from birth to resurrection. A final section summarises the historical trustworthiness of the Gospels and the book concludes with a 30-page summary of the theology of Jesus. Although fair-minded (he often outlines a range of views), Blomberg is no model of hand-wringing indecisiveness but almost always concludes by taking a position and defending it.
2) It is condensed. Having read the book, I marvel that it is so short; there is enough here to make a book three times the size. Blomberg's clear and precise prose allows him to cover his material rapidly; often a whole debate is captured in a single pithy sentence or two.
3) It is coherent. While carefully outlining the different perspectives of the four Gospel writers, Blomberg never allows the picture to become fragmented. As he goes through the life of Christ, a single powerful story emerges.
4) It is conservative. In a day when a number of evangelical authors seem to be bending over backwards to be liberal, Blomberg is unashamedly and determinedly conservative while plainly well aware of other views. He is, though, open to 'non-traditional' interpretations of Scripture and, for example, refers favourably to Ken Bailey's important but little known examination of the 'inn' of Luke 2 and John Wenham's treatment of 'the raising of the saints' in Matthew 27.
5) It is contemporary. The range of recent scholarship consulted is enormous, reflecting the sheer volume of work being done in the area of the Gospels. There is also a helpful encounter with the contemporary world of ideas with characteristically terse but clear assessments of literary approaches such as deconstruction.
6) It is caring. Textbook it may be, but to me this book breathed the air of the pulpit and the pastor's study as much as the lecture room. If, in his concern for the defence of the gospel, Blomberg seems to frequently have one eye on the unconverted neither does he forget the needs of congregations. Again and again we find him pausing to make pastorally helpful comments; that on the humanity of Christ on page 213 and the brief but thoughtful discussion of Jesus and divorce on pages 305-307 are cases in point.
In short, I am extremely enthusiastic about this book. Doubtless not everybody will agree with everything in it, but it is a remarkably fresh and complete tour de force on a critical subject and is worthy of a place within arm's reach of all preachers and students of the gospel.
