The Dynamism of Biblical Tradition (review)

872 BOOK REVIEWS human situation. Nevertheless, psychology provides one exclusive set of categories. To set the stage for an adequate axiology other disciplines must be listened to and assimilated into the body of the analysis. Precisely speaking, anthropology, sociology, economics, epistemology. history of philosophy as well as psychology have a right to be heard in axiological inquiry. Two Kinds of Values overlooks the comprehensive and interdisciplinary approach at a time in the history of axiology when such an approach seems to have won the day. Providence CoUege, Providence, R.I. G. L. CoNCORDIA, 0. P. The Dynamism of Biblical Tradition. Concilium, Vol. 20. New York: Paulist Press, 1967. Pp. !Wl. $4.50. When we view the bible primarily as the revelation of the Godhead, we have a tendency to limit our perspective merely to the content of scripture. We tend to forget that the bible is also a witness to man's 8truggle for truth, to man's struggle to see God in history. Once we broaden our gaze to encompass not only the content of God's word but also the manner of its transmission, we begin to appreciate the human dimensions of scripture and the dynamism of biblical tradition. This aroused awareness and appreciation will in turn help us to better understand the role which tradition must play in the life of the Church. It is to this concern that a distinguished group of biblical scholars address themselves in this volume of Concilium. Each in his turn points up and explores the dynamic aspects of biblical tradition. The opening essay by Pierre Grelot emphasizes the fact that the Old and New Testaments are the products of a living tradition-not merely a handing down of words but the result of a continual development that constantly goes on. Joseph Schreiner explores the development of the ancient Israelite credo. Orginally a liturgical proclamation of Yahweh as the God of Israel, it always remained open to the ongoing development of their faith. Joseph Blenkinsopp also investigates the Israelite creed in order to show the enriching influence the exodus had on the old confession of faith. Raymond Tournaly shows us how the sages of the post-exilic period formed a theological synthesis with new perspectives. , The New Testament is also the result of the development of living tradition in the early church. Basic to this development are the sayings of Jesus and the preaching of the apostles. Frans Neirynck takes Mark 9: 33-50 and develops an interesting theory based on key word association. With regard to the kerygma, David Stanley optsl for the position that the kerygma is the key to the unity of the New Testament. Jules Cambier BOOK REVIEWS S'fS analyzes Paul and illustrates both the perduring and dynamic aspects of tradition. The concluding article of this volume by M. C. Vanhengel and J. Peters concerns itself with the problem of the historicity of the gospels. Also contained in this volume are six bibliographical surveys on the homily which, besides discussing the nature of the homily, give a very useful and enlightening resume of the literature now available in the various languages discussed. The subject of this Concilium volume is of very great importance and an understanding of its content will help all of us in our endeavor to make the Word of God revelant to twentieth-century man. CoUege of St. Mary of the Springs, Columbus, Ohio. WILLIAM F. HEALY, o. P. Spirituality in the Secular City. By CHRISTIAN DuQuoc, 0. P. Concilium, Vol. 19. New York: Paulist Press, 1966. Pp. 19~. $4.50. This volume contains some useful insights on secularity, desacralization, the theology of earthly realities, modern asceticism. The line of thought pursued throughout is that secular realities have an integrity of their own which must be respected and in which we can find God. Chardin is mentioned frequently and his basic vision is accepted by most of the writers. Among them are two Americans, Bernard Cooke and Ernest Larkin, and one Canadian, Elmer O'Brien. The rest are Europeans, mostly French. The translations are good, except for the first essay, which is awkward. David Reisman's 'inner-directed' comes into English from whatever it...