Chiasmus in Antiquity, John Welch, editor, Research Press reprint, 1999
Review by Kerry A. Shirts
Director of Research (FAIR)
This classic book, I think the first full length treatment of the literary phenomena of Chiasmus by a Mormon author involving both non-Mormon scholars, as well as a full disclosure of chiasmus in the Book of Mormon, is well worth the money. It’s in paperback, so it only costs $24.95.
Many Bible scholars discuss the serious significance of this book, as well as their somewhat astonished view of the Book of Mormon having chiasmus within its pages also. One thing that interested me in this book was the broad range of chiasmus in ancient texts, the ancient world over. It is found in Sumero Accadian, Ugaritic, Biblical Hebrew, Aramaic contracts and letters, Talmudic Aggadic narrative, ancient Greek and Latin literatures, the New Testament, and finally in the Book of Mormon as well. This book is not written nor presented as a proof of the Book of Mormon though. It is rather an explanation of this sophisticated literary device. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this one.
The one thing that struck me yet again on reading this masterpiece was the significance of chiasmus in the Book of Mormon. Not as proof of its antiquity, mind you, but as a powerful second witness to Jesus Christ. Welch’s unsurpassed description of the chiasm in Alma 36. Absolutely overwhelming. The center of the chiasm is on Jesus Christ, as in many Book of Mormon chiasms. Again and again the central turning point of Book of Mormon chiasms are on Jesus Christ, as the center and hinge of our salvation as well. As a literary unit showing this, the chiasm is unsurpassed for proper balance, emphasis, and focus. King Benjamin’s speech also does this as does some speeches of Nephi.
All in all, a truly astonishing book this is, and I highly recommend it for one and all. While this review does not delve into the details as much as it ought, I enthusiastically enjoyed reading this marvelous book. Perhaps someday you will read it and see why I was so appreciative of Welch’s very fine work here. It is what made his career in my opinion. It caught some of the world class scholar’s attention, and they even contributed to it because of Welch’s stunning discovery of chiasmus in, of all places, the Book of Mormon.