McKenzie has produced a moving picture of Hebrew religion produced by divine revelation. Throughout the work he confronts biblical ideas with modern thought and modern thought with biblical ideas. McKenzie offers an engaging interpretation of the Old Testament which will challenge scholars and delightfully instruct the general reader.

"The Two edged Sword is the most significant Catholic interpretation of the Old Testament ever written in English." The Thomist

A Two edged Sword:

John McKenzie's "Two edged Sword" is a pioneering critical discussion of the ever provocative problems of Old Testament, difficult to analyze, and challenging to interpret, demonstrating how significant to our Christian heritage, and how meaningful to our postmodern pluralistic world; "Indeed, the Word of God is living, and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing until it divides soul from spirit, joints from marrow; it is able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart." Hebrews 4:12

This is still one of the best introductions to the Old Testament despite the fact that much new scholarship has been done since its publication. That's because it treats The Old Testament as what it was. A record of a people who came to believe that they had a unique relatation with God and ultimately came to realize that God is one. Yes, they resembled other tribes and nations of their times. They slaughtered their enemies; they were patriarchal; they even practiced slavery. But it was their crucial insight they made them a people that, uniquely, allowed them to survive through the ages even when they had no homeland.
The author avoids the twin dangers of literalism on the one hand, and nitpicking political correctness on the other. In addition it is very well written. ( )