Shafer-Elliot, a respected archaeologist, and Elizabeth Backfish, a Hebrew Bible scholar, work through cultural material evidence to “ground” or establish the practice of the theologies found within the Hebrew Bible (219). Shafer-Elliot begins each chapter “Looking Down,” introducing archaeological evidence from the Ancient Near East (ANE) and Israelite society. Backfish takes the second section of each chapter, entitled “Looking Up,” where she connects the material data to the Hebrew Bible. They seek to “[F]ollow the theological development in the Hebrew Bible chronologically, moving from earlier texts and stages in Israel’s history to later one” (xviii). Backfish and Shafer-Elliot engage in a descriptive enterprise, though they also offer applications for today.
Confessional Lutherans will likely raise several concerns. For example the authors assert that “God is above gender” (xix). Additionally, they speak about the development of different “theologies” within the Hebrew Bible (219). For instance, they seem to equate the worship of YHWH in Samaria to that of the temple in Jerusalem during the days of the split kingdom. They do not clarify that Jeroboam created syncretistic worship by erecting golden calves and calling them “YHWH” (97, 123). Perhaps a larger issue is within the chapter “Kingship and Politics,” where the authors seem to suggest the idea of Messiah developed because the Davidic monarchy had fallen. (152–53).
There are some glaring issues concerning the authors’ methodology, definitions, and statements about the messianic nature of the Hebrew Bible. Additionally, it is sometimes difficult to follow whether Shafer-Elliot is speaking about ANE or about ancient Israel. Yet this book is helpful because the authors connect archaeological and biblical topics in a way not generally found elsewhere. For instance, archaeological evidence shows just how prevalent unionism and syncretism were in Israelite homes, confirming why the prophets preached so often against idolatry (102–104). Written as an introductory textbook, each chapter concludes with four or five questions and its own bibliography. Chapters 4, 6, 8, and 10 were bright spots that I will return to often.
Jacob Hercamp
Pastor, Christ Lutheran Church
Noblesville, Indiana