David Penchansky is a professor in the field of Hebrew Bible. In his writing, he applies the methodology of literary criticism to the Old Testament, particularly its Wisdom Literature. Both Marxism and Deconstruction have influenced his approach. The central point in Penchansky’s writing is that texts produce meaning through dissonance and conflict, and that sacred texts in particular are a site of such conflict. He is currently a full professor at the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, Minnesota. His most recent research concerns the interpretation of the Qur’an. He is active in the International Qur’anic Studies Association, and participated in their conference in Yogyakarta, Indonesia, in 2015.
In 1980, Penchansky joined the Evangel College as an instructor. He left in 1984 and joined the Western Kentucky University in 1985 as an adjunct professor, where he taught for the next four years. In 1989, he joined the Theology Department of the University of St. Thomas. Penchansky wrote his first book entitled What Rough Beast in 1990. In it, he claimed blasphemy as an appropriate response to human suffering, using the book of Job and the Holocaust as a models. Critics suggested that Penchansky’s approach ignored the larger context of biblical passages, portraying the Bible as a mass of conflicting theological positions. His subsequent publications have considered the negative sides of God, and the polytheistic underpinnings of ancient Israelite religion. His book Twilight of the Gods: Polytheism in the Hebrew Bible claims to show how certain biblical texts portray a complex interplay of monotheistic and polytheistic ideas. In a review of the book, the Journal of Hebrew Scriptures wrote, that "while the author succeeds in drawing attention to important texts and issues, the flaws in the presentation would result in more misunderstanding than clarity for lay readers. He wrote Understanding Wisdom Literature: Conflict and Dissonance in the Hebrew Text in 2013. In a review of Understanding Wisdom Literature in Christian Century, Marti Steussy noted, “the themes of diversity and conflict dominate Penchansky’s discussion of the Hebrew Bible’s wisdom books.” However, some see this as a liability. Katherine Dell in The Journal of Theological Studies wonders if “Penchansky may have overstated this aspect.” Peter Hatton in Review of Biblical Literature has stated, “... his determination to focus on conflict and dissonance results in a curious silence about the many beauties of this enigmatic but engaging book... “ He also wondered if Penchansky’s use of contemporary criteria to evaluate the ancient texts might indicate, “the inappropriateness of the criteria he seeks to apply.” In Christianity Today, Charles Halton observes, “instead of reconciling the tensions within wisdom literature he revels in them.” After publishing Understanding Wisdom Literature he turned his attention to the Qur’an. He has presented papers about the Qur’an at various academic conferences. He is a member of the Society of Biblical Literature, the International Qur’anic Studies Association, and the Catholic Biblical Association.
