Studies in Old Testament

The book of Psalms is often drawn upon as a deep well of emotionally connecting literature, in time of praise and of great sorrow, for Christian communities and individuals. Delving into the history of the Psalter, Dr. Danijel Berković engages in the discussion of understanding of the "psalmist" as individual or corporate to illuminate the distinction between piety in the personal and the private. Questions on the nature of religious and emotional experience, Israelite anthropology and the Hebrew concept of person, and the capacity of poetic language to convey meaning in these, are addressed adeptly through a variety of disciplines. This detailed study provides fresh insight on piety and emotion expressed in the Psalms, and is a valuable addition to psalmist scholarship.

Biblical values are true for every age. Yet, under increasing influence from political, economic, and cultural spheres, covenantal marriage has seemingly lost its significance in the eyes of the world. As it stands, God's design for marriage is overlooked in favour of unfaithful practices and frivolous divorces. How can Malachi's teaching on covenantal dynamics speak into this pressing issue? Countering this deterioration, Dr. Stephen Oluwarotimi Y. Baba proffers a biblical solution to covenantal marriage discussions through literary and exegetical examinations of Malachi 2:10–16. Exploring the pastoral implications of the text for the contemporary body of Christ, Dr. Baba reveals the inherent dangers of unfaithfulness in marriage unions. In doing so, he argues that God's goal in Malachi is restoring the original glorious and eternal institution of marriage to its mirror, the marriage of God to His people. Outlining the biblical ethical values of marriage as covenant, this work offers a developed theological understanding of marital unfaithfulness for academic and church communities seeking fresh insight on the topic.

Being the first legal corpus in the biblical canon, Exodus 19–24 is a law collection that belonged to a people living under the shadow of empire. Using an integrated approach of postcolonial studies and historical-comparative analysis, this important study analyzes the relationship between the laws given to the Israelites on Mount Sinai and cuneiform law collections. Dr. Anna Lo skillfully integrates postcolonial understandings of the colonized people to explore how the similarities and differences reflect the imperialized authors' wrestling with the imperial legal metanarrative and subjugation of their time. This investigation into the dynamic of acceptance, ambivalence, and resistance invites attention to this selection of Scripture as a work of conservative revolutionists. Dr. Lo's thorough work provides an important way forward for scholars to consider responses of the imperialized to empires in the past as well as to reflect on their own response to hegemonic domination today.

How can Christians delve into the relationship between biblical law, narrative, and rituals to reconcile beliefs with cultural heritage? In this study, Dr. Cynthia Hsing-Wei Chang addresses the unfamiliar and impractical nature of Leviticus's ritual teachings for Christians, particularly in the context of Chinese culture's common practice of eating cooked blood pudding. Combining principles from biblical laws and rhetoric to distinguish Leviticus's literary structure, this book examines well-being offerings in the Old Testament and Ugaritic sacrificial documents, and explores the meaning of blood atonement in rituals to provide a comprehensive theological response. By bridging ancient rituals and modern culture, Dr. Chang offers unique insights for cross-cultural understanding and practical guidance for those seeking to navigate cultural complexities while honoring their faith.

The reversal of creation to a non-functional state is understood to be symbolic of God's judgement, whereas its restoration symbolizes hope. A firm understanding of the crucial theological topic of creation is essential for comprehending the canonical story and redemptive history present in Genesis 1–3. Yet how has the traditional progressive reading of these chapters formed our understanding of the goodness of creation in relation to perfection and functionality? Considering the broader canonical context, Dr. Hulisani Ramantswana challenges the standard interpretation of these chapters and argues that the goodness of creation does not imply perfection, but instead infers its functionality. Proposing an alternative reading, he contends the hope in a new heaven and new earth suggests a radical transformation of the "good" creation instead of merely a restoration. Through analyzing the formula of approval in Genesis 1–3, he considers the impact this reframing of "goodness" might have on the doctrine of creation and how it aids in comprehending our position in a creation that is flawed by evil. Stimulating and thought-provoking, those interested in cultivating a deeper understanding creation and re-creation in the canonical perspective will appreciate this study.