NELSON’S
SHORTER ATLAS OF THE BIBLE
Many of the best publications lose value because of their size and bulk, and, instead of being in constant use as works of reference, they tend to end as “picture books” to hand to a visitor. They are difficult to fit into a bookcase and become part of a pile that is not too readily accessible. Grollenberg’s Atlas of the Bible comes within this category. Now, however, the same author has produced a Shorter Atlas of the Bible (Nelson’s A$.1.5s.). It is a smaller and much easier book to handle and priced within the limits of most pockets. Naturally, it lacks the grandeur of the original, but it will not be denied that it is both attractively and excellently produced. In the preface it is stressed that this new work is not merely a compression of the earlier Atlas. Four years separate the two publications. During that time the archaeologists “have not been idle . . . and therefore something of their activities and discoveries had to be presented”—although it is not made clear what new results are incorporated.
The author’s purpose is, in effect, an outline sketch of the Bible where geography and archaeology may be used in illustration, with a chapter on the period between the Old and New Testaments. Within its limits the atlas is adequate, with an abundance of well-produced illustrations, but it cannot be expected to replace the larger work. Nor must the reader look for a detailed guide to Biblical archaeology. The illustrations are without captions, but, as the story unfolds, bracketed reference numbers draw attention to them without interrupting the easy flow of the reading matter. At the end of the book a comprehensive description, in numerical order of the pages, obviates the necessity of searching through the book for their explanation, if one is examining the illustrations and not reading the text. The maps are clearly printed in soft shades in easy-to-read type—most of the names are printed horizontally—and are marked with explanatory signs.
H. Grollenberg is still a young man, now only 44, and a member of the Dominican Order. He brings up-to-date and modern scholarship to his work, which reveals itself in a variety of observations on the origin and history of the books of the Bible. It is regrettable that there is no acknowledgement to Divine inspiration. Should we really expect to find this ? The Bible is seen as a compilation of records influenced by circumstances beyond immediate human control, or as a result of natural human circumstances. For instance, “the book of Joshua was written under King Josiah (640 – 609 B.C.) probably as the first section of a larger chronicle and was revised during the Exile”. We are told it “might be considered as a sort of national epic.”
This latter description provokes a query, for “epic” is in its proper setting in the poetry of the ancient Greeks, extolling the virtues and achievements of their mythical heroes. The Oxford Dictionary says “national epic, poem, of any form, embodying nation’s conception of its past history.” Whether the application of the term to the Bible implies tradition, or legend, giving the record an improbability, remains unsaid.
The perennial problem of the identity of the Pharaohs of the Oppression and the Exodus remains. Like many archaeologists, Grollenberg favours the dating which makes Rameses II the Pharaoh of the Oppression. For the benefit of those who may not have considered this point, it should be stated that archaeologists of the standard of Marston and Kenyon favoured an earlier date by 200 years, in which case the Pharaoh of the Oppression would be Thotmes III.
The author’s modernist inclination is underlined when he presents, as a general standard of the prophets, the sweeping observation, “The end of the century, however, brought a change in the manner of thinking. A careful analysis of the prophetic books showed that they had been composed long after the death of their supposed authors. They composed fragments of their preaching, handed down orally and in writing and filled out with various texts, some of a much later date. A second reason was that modern man with his sense of historical development and his interest in the personality of each individual, gained more understanding of the situation in which each prophet played out his role and the manner in which, in an entirely personal manner, he voiced the message of his God.”
Whilst Grollenberg doubtless has his reasons for accepting the theories of the modernist view, he shows commendable restraint when referring to the community at Qumran who have come into prominence following the discovery of the Dead Sea Scrolls. The identity of these people with the Essenes has yet to be proved. With due caution he writes, “We have gained an insight into the manner of life and thought of a group of Jesus’ contemporaries identical or closely related to the Essenes of Josephus and of Philo.”
The reference to Luke as “Paul’s most faithful companion”, raises another point. Does he mean that Luke was truer in his devotion to the Apostle than others whose brotherly kindness he so gratefully acknowledged, or, more faithful to his calling in Christ than the other companions of the Apostle ? Neither of these explanations quite satisfies. Grollenberg wrote in German and it would seem likely that here is an overstatement due to the translation from one language to another. Maybe, “constant” was the author’s original conception.
There is a sly dig at the filmland of Hollywood when he writes about the Exodus. The Biblical record is limited in its detailed information and the observation is made, “The historian is compelled to grope in the dark. He is not nearly so certain of the course of events during the Exodus as the film makers of Hollywood.”
Doctrine does not enter into the considerations of the subject beyond the customary statement of the purpose and aspirations of the prophets. An intriguing comment touches the fringe of the kingdom of God, but is quickly dropped. the God of Israel came to dwell in the city of His anointed. David’s title was ‘Messiah’ in Hebrew, ‘Christos’ in Greek. Ruling from God’s capital this ‘Christos’ had the task of ruling justly.”
This atlas will give the student—and the searcher—much pleasure. But he will find no understanding of the events of history so satisfying or convincing as that which is based on the promises made to the fathers.
Review of “The Early Earth” by John Whitcomb (1972)