Exodus: Interpretation (Interpretation: A Bible Commentary for Teaching and Preaching) Paperback – 15 July 2010

This commentary places the book in the context of an ongoing process of revelation. As such , creation extends into ethics and forms of history, filling a gap in such studies.

excellent value. Purchased for about 7$

Dr. Terence E. Fretheim is a strange theologian, and I mean that in the best possible way. This will not be your usual commentary. Fretheim is a biblical scholar, to be sure, but he is more concerned with doing theology with the bible than giving you historical fact. Of course, historical fact still plays heavily into his commentary (it is a commentary after all), but the reading is very engaging in that Fretheim appears to be honestly and thoughtfully wrestling with the text and the theology he can draw from it. In this commentary, for example, not only will one learn about history, what other commentators have written, and issues with the text, but one will be presented with some ways in which the text engages contemporary issues, such as disabilities studies, climate change, and the ever-present problem of theodicy. While I may not agree with every conclusion that Fretheim draws, I appreciate his putting himself out there, daring to do theology so close to the text, and taking his commentary one step further in making it speak to our world and its issues. If you're looking for a challenging and engaging commentary, one that won't put you to sleep, this might be it. I highly recommend it.

Fretheim does not shy away from what the text obviously says, even if our modern sensibilities tend towards surprise. Fretheim has noticed that the book of Exodus presents God as responding to changing reality and making new plans for Israel as circumstances change. While Israel is learning how to relate to God, God is learning how to relate to Israel. Most commentators tend to try to explain that the text does not really mean what it seems to say. Not Fretheim. His approach is, what does this text say about God? What does that mean for a people who want to relate to God?

Well written - would have liked more challenges but cannot mark it down.