Job

Janzen’s commentary on Job is theologically strong and refreshing in application. Longman writes, “He does his job admirably. . . He makes a small yet significant shift away from the question ‘Why do the innocent suffer?’ to ‘Why are the righteous pious?’” [Full Review]

This is one of the most theologically profound Job commentaries that I have come across. Although written primarily for pastors, Janzen brings his knowledge of Hebrew, Semitic languages, and ancient Near Eastern mythology to bear on the text, along with a poetic sensibility and an earthy spirituality. Before I read this commentary, I was drawn to Janzen’s reading of Job in very personal meditation after cancer, called At the Scent of Water: The Ground of Hope in the Book of Job (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2009). [Full Review]

Existentialist approach stressing the element of free will in creation; at times more technical in its discussion. [Full Review]