Reformation Commentary on Scripture: Old Testament V. 1–2 Samuel, 1–2 Kings, 1–2 Chronicles ed. by Derek Cooper and Martin J. Lohrmann (review)

Readers of Lutheran Quarterly will be familiar with the tedious process of retrieving commentary on Bible passages by that intrepid band of reformers in the sixteenth century. Even more irksome is the tracking down of the context in which the passage appeared. Nevertheless, what the various reformers thought about the Bible is extremely important for a proper evaluation of their contribution and impact. But how is this achieved?

According to the publishers, these Reformation Commentaries on Scripture were produced with four goals in mind: (1) to renew contemporary biblical interpretation through exposure to Reformation-era biblical interpretation; (2) to renew contemporary preaching through exposure to the biblical insights of the Reformation writers; (3) to contribute to a deeper understanding of the Reformation and the breadth of perspectives represented within it; and (4) to advance Christian scholarship in the fields of historical, biblical, theological, and pastoral studies.

Ambitious as these goals might seem, this volume succeeds admirably on all four fronts. In a day when reader response trumps the history of interpretation in biblical studies, the present volume provides a fascinating take on these historical books of the Old Testament. Unsullied by the frequent excesses of the post-Enlightenment hermeneutics, Reformation exegetes frequently interpret the histories as harbingers of subsequent New Testament passages. As for proclamation, the reformers tend to see models and negative examples for contemporary Christian behavior in the wide-ranging cast of characters that we encounter in these pages. The breadth of Reformation perspectives is amply attested as well. We do hear from Luther, Melanchthon, and Calvin, but the bulk of citations hark back to Luther’s pastor, Bugenhagen, Lucas Osiander and Viktorin Strigel. Reformed representatives include Konrad Pellikan and Johannes Piscator. The English reformation is well represented by Andrew Willet and John Mayer. Although the Radicals and Anabaptists eschewed publishing commentaries on these particular books, we are treated to an occasional remark from Menno Simons, Hans Denck, Balthasar Hubmaier, and Dirk Philips with regard to God’s promise to David of an eternal dynasty. One might expect only Protestants to appear yet commentary from Catholic scholars Alonso Tostado and Cardinal Cajetan pepper the presentation with their rather different point of view. All of this serves to advance scholarship in the fields of history, Bible, theology, and pastoral care, not least by the unearthing and translation of little-known works.

When these goals are coupled with an absolutely first-rate introduction to the historical context of the Protestant Reformation, the Reformers and how they read Scripture, and the books of Samuel, Kings, and Chronicles, the result is a delightful view of these books through the eyes of the reformers. The explicit format is a welcome guide on our journey: Following Reformation-era practice, the text is divided into pericopes or passages drawn from the English Standard Version of the Bible. These passages are then followed by very useful overviews of the subsequent comments pointing out exegetical, theological, or pastoral concerns by the editors. Finally, headings identify the nature of the comments gathered together under each pericope.

The reviewer’s copy was curiously flawed in that pages 475–522 were inserted upside down and backwards right after 2 Kings 17, the description of the destruction of the Northern Kingdom by Assyria, rendering the so-called “ten lost tribes of Israel” a textual as well as a historical occurrence!