The Origins of the Bible: Rethinking Canon History (Theological Inquiries)

John W. Miller, who is a Mennonite, is a scholar re the Old Testament and has written books regarding biblical history including THE ORIGINS OF THE BIBLE:RETHINKING CANON HISTORY. This book delved into the possible reasons for rival Old Testament priesthoods and apparent contradictions that appear on the Bible. Miller did not claim to have the "final answer," but he provided possible scenarios which clarified some of the confusion.Miller began this book with a brief study of the early Church and the Bible. Readers must be aware that the only "Bible" for the early Christians was the Old Testament. The question was whether or not to accept the Canon of the rabbis or the Old Testament. Eusebius (263-339 AD)reported these conflcts and accepted the Old Testament. Earlier Marcion (110-c.207 AD)rejected the Old Testament and accepted only the Gospels and some of St. Paul's Epistles. In other words, the possibility existed that the Old Testament could have been eliminated from the eventual Christian Bible. Another early Church Father Irenaeus (115-202)was important to the debate because he wrote and argued extensively to include the Old Testament in what was eventually the Christian Bible.Yet, prior to the emergence of Christianity there were disputes among the Ancient Hebrews about the authenticity of Hebrew monotheism and what was to be in the Hebrew Bible or Old Testament. When the Persion ruler Cyrus (c. 515-458 BC)permitted the Hebrews or Jews to return to Palestine/Judea, there were reports of rival priestly factions. These factions existed prior to the Assyrian and Babylonian conquests of Isreal and Judea(c. 722 BC and c. 586 BC respectively).In other words some of the rivaly and complaints mentioned the books of Ezra and Nehemiah (c. 450 BC)had much earlier origins. Three rival groups were the Levites, the Sons of Aaron, and the Zadokites. Miller suggested these rivalries may have emerged because of the different origins of Hebrew monotheism. The Partiarchs from Mesopotamia and Egypt had different liteary traditions and religious leaders whose confrontations continued from c. 1000 BC to c. 100 AD. For example King David (c.1000-972 BC)supported the Zadokites because they in turn supported David's claim as Israel's king. Later priests such as the Aaronites and Levites blamed the established preisthood for Isreal's fall in 722 BC and Judea's fall in 586 BC. These bitter rivalries,and they were bitter, are relected in the writing of the Prophets. For Isaiah and Jeremiah supported the Levites. Hosea may have supported a rival group. The Kings Josiah and Hezekiah attempted reform which later Ezra and Nehemiah tried to implement.Miller then explained the reforms of Ezra and Nehemiah had to include compromise between the Levites and Zadokites. The Levites were supposed to be librarians and teachers of the Hebrew Bible and literature. The Zadokites were assigned to conduct the Temple rituals and Sabbath rites. Miller made clear that this was an uneasy compromise at best. More emphasis was placed on "right living" than Temple ritual, and this obviosly did not end conflict.When was the Old Testament Canon settled? Miller argued that by the time Sirach (c. 130 BC)much of the Hebrew Bible was organized. The divisions were basically the Torah, the Prophets, and the Writings. The organization was based in part on chronological order. Another organization was based on books that embellished earlier writing to give better understanding. Levetical and Zadokite influences and work were included perhaps as a compromise. Later additions or books were viewed as renewal literature.Even though the complexity of the Old Testament and influence on the New Testament is hard to understand, Miller wrote a book that helps to clarify this complexity. Miller provided charts to improve understanding such as the one on page 111. He also had a good table or chart on pages 170-172 to help readers understand the differences between the Jewish, Protestant, and Catholic bibles.Miller could have continued this book re the canon of the entire Christian Bible. He could have made mention of St. Jerome's (346-420 AD)Vulgate Bible. The decisions of the early Church authorities at the Councils of Carthage (393 AD), Hippo (397 AD), Carthage again (419 AD), etc. would have given readers a more complete explantion of the organization of the Bible. However, Miller's work is impressive and readable. Those interested in biblical history and literature will appreciate this book.

useful (plastic) library cover: book was in good condition