C. Hassell Bullock - An Introduction to the Old Testament Poetic Books

T o all of those who have used the first edition of this book I express my sincere appreciation. Learning is progressive, and the intervening years since the books publication have been a time of thinking and rethinking the contents of this work. While I have not made substantive changes in the format, except for the two introductory chapters, nor have I substantially altered many of the ideas contained in it, I have attempted to sharpen some of them as a result of my ongoing experience in the setting of a college classroom and of an active life in the world and the church. A sense of the power of this literature has continued to grow in me, and I am more convinced than ever that if studied and applied seriously to modern life, its effect will be no less than transforming. That remains the goal of this book, even though its purpose is largely academic. My discussion of wisdom and the Psalms in chapter 2 is an attempt to apply the theology of this material to modern life.

In all honesty, I would like to acknowledge that my thinking on a few matters has not yet matured to the point that I can say, Here I stand. I am not hesitant to call attention to the Song of Songs, where I have allowed the literal interpretation (including my satirical interpretation) to stand. Yet, while I have on the one hand tried to take into account the recent studies of the Egyptian love songs and their importance for the Song, I have opened the door wider to the allegorical method in deference to two thousand years of interpretation, including its significance for the canonization of that book.

Books are never really finished, I suppose, and that is a good reason to issue a revised edition. Those who have studied the Talmud know that every new tractate begins on page two. An old explanation of this practice is that it reminds us from the beginning that no one will ever know it all. If the midrashic method can still be permitted (how impoverished we would be without it!), I might suggest that the frequent practice of publishers to bind blank pages at the end of a book can be a reminder, quite unintended, of course, that there is no end of knowledge. Much yet remains to be learned and written. I submit this revised edition as another stage in that process.

I wish to thank Moody Publishers, particularly Messrs. Garry Knussman and Dana Gould, for permitting and encouraging this revised edition, as well as the editorial staff who have worked so congenially with me in the past. Special thanks is due to Mr. Robert Ramey, whose conscientious editing of this revised edition has contributed many improvements to it. Appreciation is also appropriate to Miss Valori Hughes, my teachers assistant, who has helped me complete this task. Finally, I offer thanks to Mr. Don Patrick who, as loyal friend and expert bibliographer, has assisted my research and collected the bibliography for this volume.

And to God be the glory!