The Septuagint and the Defense of the Christian Bible by S. Douglas Woodward

Reclaiming the Roots: Why the Septuagint Still Speaks for the Church Today

In The Septuagint and the Defense of the Christian Bible, S. Douglas Woodward delivers a timely and passionate defense of the Greek Old Testament—the Septuagint (LXX)—as the authentic scriptural foundation underpinning the early Church’s theology and the apostolic use of Scripture. Woodward’s core thesis is that the Septuagint, not the Masoretic Text (MT), was the version of the Hebrew Bible most frequently cited by the New Testament writers, and thus holds a privileged position in Christian theology.

The book contends that modern evangelicalism, especially within conservative and fundamentalist circles, has overly relied on the Masoretic tradition without sufficient awareness of the historical and theological primacy of the Septuagint. Woodward traces the development of both the LXX and MT traditions, explores the influence of Philo and the Church Fathers, and critiques the Protestant bias against apocryphal writings. Ultimately, he calls for a re-evaluation of canonical assumptions and a re-centering of the Septuagint in Christian biblical studies.

S. Douglas Woodward is an independent biblical researcher, author, and speaker with multiple works focusing on apologetics, eschatology, and textual studies. Throughout the book, Woodward references key works by scholars such as Peter Gentry, Emanuel Tov, and Martin Hengel, demonstrating a solid grasp of textual criticism debates. He supports his arguments with historical documentation from the Dead Sea Scrolls, early church writings, and side-by-side textual analysis. While some academic specialists may critique the depth of technical detail or the selective use of sources, Woodward’s research is generally reliable and well-structured for a popular or seminary-educated audience.

Woodward’s style is clear, energetic, and often polemical. He writes with a sense of urgency and conviction, aiming to engage readers who may be unaware of the theological implications of textual variants. His tone can be rhetorical at times, particularly when addressing perceived evangelical biases or defending the authenticity of the Greek Old Testament, but it remains accessible and jargon-free for the average Christian reader.

Complex theological and historical issues are explained with care, though occasionally with sweeping generalizations. The structure of the book—divided into manageable chapters with summaries and bolded theses—makes it digestible and conducive to study-group discussion or independent theological reflection.

Among the book’s strengths is its clarity of purpose and accessible treatment of a complex and often overlooked subject. Woodward shines in articulating why the Septuagint matters—not only historically, but theologically. His coverage of the divergence in Genesis genealogies, his defense of the longer chronology in the LXX, and his attention to the use of deuterocanonical books in early Christianity add considerable value.

Woodward’s tone occasionally borders on polemical, especially when critiquing dispensationalism or fundamentalist bibliology. While his criticisms are often well-founded, a more nuanced engagement with opposing views—particularly scholars who defend the Masoretic Text for legitimate textual-critical reasons—would strengthen the book’s academic credibility.

This work arrives at a moment when the authority and formation of the biblical canon are once again under scrutiny—not only from secular critics but also from within the Church. Woodward’s advocacy for a return to the Septuagint as a theological standard resonates with movements seeking to reconnect modern Christianity to its apostolic and patristic roots.

In comparison to earlier apologetic or canon-related works—such as F.F. Bruce’s The Canon of Scripture or Lee Martin McDonald’s studies on biblical formation—Woodward is more prescriptive and confessional, aligning with the genre of popular apologetics while maintaining scholarly resonance.

The Septuagint and the Defense of the Christian Bible is a forceful, readable, and passionately argued case for reassessing the foundation of the Christian Old Testament. While it may not satisfy the expectations of textual critics or academic theologians seeking exhaustive linguistic depth, it accomplishes its primary aim: to alert and educate readers—especially those in the evangelical tradition—on the significance of the Septuagint and the historical formation of the Bible.

Recommended for pastors, theology students, and lay readers interested in the intersection of biblical history, canon formation, and apologetics.

—N3UR4L Reviews