Abstract:
The contribution that Professor Pieter M. Venter has made to the study of the Old Testament
during his academic and ecclesiastic career is reviewed. After a brief biographical introduction,
the article surveys the development of his research interests, focusing specifically on his
contributions to the study of wisdom literature, narratives and narratology, second temple
literature, the formation of the canon, and Old Testament Theology. The review concludes
with reference to his way of practising critical theology, taking full cognisance of research
into the linguistic, historical critical, narratological and ideological aspects of Old Testament
texts, but always with a sensitivity for the needs of the church as interpretive community.
