Daniel J. Harrington (1940-2014) was professor of New Testament at Weston Jesuit School of Theology in Cambridge, Massachusetts.
Clergy Journal
"Daniel Harrington's Invitation to the Apocrypha furnishes a good
and focused look at books of the Bible often either forgotten or
neglected by many Protestants. . . For biblical scholars or pastors
(ideally these two specialists should meet in the pulpit) this book
bridges the century or so between the testaments. Well researched
and well written, Invitation to the Apocrypha should provide new
insight to the Christian faith. It also helps Christians appreciate
the theological soil from which the New Testament sprung. This book
is an excellent piece of scholarship. It fills a much needed vacuum
in the biblical education of most Christians." Society for Old
Testament Study Booklist
"One of the best and most readable introductions to the books of
the Apocrypha which has so far been produced." Catholic Biblical
Quarterly
"Anyone familiar with the reputation of Daniel Harrington and with
the current state of studies on the Apocrypha will recognize that
this book represents a most fortuitous conjunction. Its author is a
leading scholar in the field of early Judaism, and the Apocrypha
have not had an introduction of their own since Bruce Metzger wrote
An Introduction to the Apocrypha. . . This is an introductory book,
designed for nonspecialists, but presenting the best of
contemporary biblical scholarship. As such, it stands as a model
for showing how the fruits of technical biblical studies can be
applied for the benefit of the educated by nontechnical reader. "
Reviews in Religion and Theology
"As ever, Harrington writes clearly. The ground to be shown is
vast. He gives succinct suggestions for further study in each
section. . . This is an ideal core textbook for undergraduate
courses on the Apocrypha. Its very existence should encourage more
people to include these texts in their syllabus, and that would be
a very good thing." Ephemerides Theologicae Lovanienses
"The book as a whole is to be recommended as an excellent
introduction into the deuterocanonical writings and their
problems." Sewanee Theological Review
"As one would expect from Harrington, the volume is clearly
written, meticulously researched, and balanced and sensible in its
critical judgments. . . For anyone wishing to introduce beginning
students to the Apocrypha this is just about as good a volume as
one could ask. At every stage there are excellent bibliographies to
guide those who would move on to further study." Theology
"Any attempt to bring these heterogeneous writings to the attention
of a wider audience is most welcome and Daniel Harrington's
'invitation' is eminently readable and his guidance sound. . . This
introduction fulfills excellently what it sets out to do." The
Bible Today
"Harrington's careful scholarship and clear writing is evident
throughout. Intended as a college or seminary introduction, anyone
interested in the topic or in these very interesting but less known
books will be richly rewarded in the reading." New Theology
Review
"The clarity, sympathy, and scholarship with which Harrington
presents the apocrypha will help move these important texts from
the periphery more to the center of attention on the part of those
who read the Bible. This book will become an appreciated addition
to the bibliography of introductory courses in biblical studies at
the undergraduate and seminary levels. This is a very fine work,
providing the general reader with a needed and welcome invitation
to the apocrypha." National Catholic Reporter
"Helpful for its intended audience of introductory college and
seminary classes as well as readers and discussion groups who want
to delve into these ancient Jewish texts of the Bible." The
Heythrop Journal
"Harrington's book is clear and straightforward enough for the
first-time reader of the Old Testament Apocrypha, without too many
technical details. It will serve admirably for classroom use in
college and seminaries, while it is also accessible enough for the
general reader. If it encourages people to pick up these
little-read works from Hellenistic Judaism, it will have fulfilled
its purpose." Currents in Theology and Mission
"This well-written handbook reads each work in the Apocrypha
through the lens of suffering. This approach not only describes how
suffering was understood in Second Temple Judaism, but it also
suggests ways in which we can enrich our own understanding and
theological interpretation of suffering. . . If you have always
wanted to 'get into the Apocrypha, ' this is the place to start."
Interpretation
"Readers who seek for the first time to acquaint themselves with
the Apocrypha will find this book to be a practical guide.
Moreover, Harrington's concentration on the problem of suffering
demonstrates the contemporary theological relevance of these
writings, a feature which pastors and others concerned with the
question of theodicy may find especially helpful. In general, this
volume succeeds admirably in achieving its stated purpose: to
invite readers for whom the Apocrypha are 'closed books' seriously
to examine these writings. . . Whether one regards them as
canonical or not, they are nevertheless an important and unjustly
neglected portion of the rightful literary heritage of every Jew
and Christian. Harrington's book proffers valuable guidance for any
reader who wishes to recover that heritage." Pacifica
"A concise and extremely helpful introduction ... Its clearly
written style makes it an ideal guide for the non-specialist reader
who is about to begin the study of the Apocrypha. . . Harrington
has done a great service in producing this primer. It should be an
invaluable resource for students setting out on their first
excursion into this material."
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