Genesis by R. R. Reno

The Brazos series departs from the usual approach to commentary writing by assuming that Christian theological tradition, not merely historical and philological data, “provides the proper basis for the interpretation of the Bible as Christian Scripture.” Like the other contributors to this series (see, e.g., Stubbs on Numbers and Work on Deuteronomy), Reno is not a biblical scholar in the conventional sense (he teaches theological ethics at Creighton University), but he brings his expertise to bear on listening to the scriptural text in ways biblical exegetes sometimes overlook. This results in a commentary of a different sort–one that is rich in conversation with the rest of the Bible, with the early Church fathers, and with Jewish interpreters. Reno does not offer a detailed exposition of every verse in Genesis (he calls his approach “eccentric” and “diverse and eclectic”), but he does not duck difficult issues in the book, even as he shows how its reading points forward to Christ and continues to speak as the Church’s Scriptures. This stimulating and provocative volume can be read with great profit alongside other more verse-by-verse commentaries.

More information about this book