Studies in Scripture and Biblical Theology

The book of Genesis recites the beginnings of the cosmos and its inhabitants. It also reveals the beginning of evil. Before long, evil infests God's good creation. From there, good and evil coexist and drive the plot of Genesis. In Evil in Genesis, Ingrid Faro uncovers how the Bible's first book presents the meaning of evil. Faro conducts a thorough examination of evil on lexical, exegetical, conceptual, and theological levels. This focused analysis allows the Hebrew terminology to be nuanced and permits Genesis' own distinct voice to be heard. Genesis presents evil as the taking of something good and twisting it for one's own purposes rather than enjoying it how God intended. Faro illuminates the perspective of Genesis on a range of themes, including humanity's participation in evil, evil's consequences, and God's responses to evil. --

Isaiah's servant songs reveal a true and better Adam In Charged with the Glory of God, Caroline Batchelder provides a synchronic, theological, and canonical reading of the four Servant Songs in Isaiah (42:1–9; 49:1–13; 50:3–11; 52:13–53:12), showing how they relate to one another and the message of the prophetic book. Reading Isaiah as a compositional unity in conversation with other texts such as Genesis results in a coherent presentation of the mysterious servant. The polemic against idolatry reveals rebellious Israel to be false imagers of God. In contrast, Isaiah's servant is an ideal embodiment of Yahweh's image and likeness. Thus, the servant is a paradigm for those who wish to recapture and realize God's good creation purposes for all humanity. The servant poems are not only a call to reorient oneself as a servant towards God and his creation, but also a map and means for doing so. In this study, Batchelder offers fresh insights from Isaiah for understanding God's true image and its idolatrous counterfeits.

The promise and peril in reading the Minor Prophets. Reading the Book of the Twelve Minor Prophets confronts the unique challenges presented by this daunting section of the Old Testament. - On Reading the Twelve Minor Prophets (David G. Firth and Brittany N. Melton) - Hosea: Marriage, Violence, and Yahweh's Lament (Isabelle M. Hamley) - Reading Joel within and without the Book of the Twelve (Tchavdar S. Hadjiev) - The Use and Abuse of Technology: Habakkuk's Ancient Critique in a Modern World (Heath A. Thomas) - Luther's Lectures on Habakkuk as an Example of Participatory Exegesis (Thomas Renz) - Perspectives on Theodicy in Habakkuk and Malachi vis-à-vis Job (S. D. Snyman) - The New Covenant in the Book of the Twelve (Anthony R. Petterson) - Filled, Empowered, Dwelling, Trembling, and Fleeing: Mapping God's Spirit and Presence in the Book of the Twelve (Beth M. Stovell) - Furry, Feathery, and Fishy Friends-and Insects-in the Book of the Twelve (Julie Woods) - Twelve Books, One Theology? (John Goldingay)Authors from a variety of perspectives consider questions about hermeneutics and composition, reception history, theodicy, metaphors and characterization, and theology. These essays provide insights from the history of interpretation and the latest in scholarship.

The suffering and vindicated king The Psalter evinces meaningful arrangement. When psalms are read with attentiveness to their textual context, striking connections emerge. In The Arrival of the King: The Shape and Story of Psalms 15–24, Carissa Quinn approaches these psalms as a compositional unity. When read as a unit, Psalms 15–24 tell the story of God's kingdom, established through the suffering and deliverance of his Davidic king. Quinn interprets Psalms 15–24 as a sequence and a chiasm, revealing provocative links in adjacent and parallel psalms. These psalms have a sense of progress, beginning with the question of who may ascend the holy hill and culminating in the divine king's own ascent. They also display recursion, as themes in one psalm are developed in its chiastic parallel. At the peak of the chiasm is Psalm 19, where the king praises God's creation and Torah and prays for righteousness. The Arrival of the King establishes and explores the rewards of approaching the Psalms as a carefully arranged literary work.

Reading psalms in context The Psalter is a carefully edited work, skillfully arranged to communicate a theological message. The Promised Davidic King is a case study of how a single psalm shapes-and is shaped by-its context in the Psalter. Wyatt Aaron Graham argues that Psalm 108 plays a guiding role in Book V (Pss 107–150). Following Israel's return from exile in Psalm 107, Psalm 108 introduces the eschatological King and kingdom further developed in Psalms 109–110. Psalm 108 repurposes Psalms 57 and 60, which in this location, take on renewed meaning in the Psalter's unfolding story of redemption. Graham's study of Psalm 108 gives insight into the meaning of the Psalms and displays the benefits of reading psalms in their context.

The fresh riches of biblical poetry for communities of faith A New Song includes nine essays on the hidden intricacies of poetry in the Hebrew Bible, ten poems in dialogue with biblical poetry, and three reflective responses. - On Reading Genesis 49: How Hebrew Poetry Communicates Then and Now (John Goldingay) - Shirat Ha-Yam (the Song of the Sea) in Jewish and Christian Liturgical Tradition (C.T.R. Hayward) - Hannah's Prayer (1 Samuel 2:1–10): On the Interface of Poetics and Ethics in an Embedded Poem (David G. Firth) - Bending the Silence: Reading Psalms through the Arts (Ellen F. Davis) - Psalms "Translated" for Life in the 21st Century – A South African perspective (June F. Dickie) - Prosody and Preaching: Poetic Form and Religious Function in Biblical Verse (Benjamin D. Sommer) - "With Fists Flailing at the Gates of Heaven": Wrestling with Psalm 88, A Psalm for Chronic Illness (Shai Held) - Truth and Hidden Things: Reading Isaiah 45:9–25 as Scripture (Katie M. Heffelfinger) - The Dynamic Relationship between God and Man in the Book of Hosea: A Dynamic – Synchronic Reading (Yisca Zimran) - Poems by Maria Apichella, Kilby Austin, Edward Clarke, Jacqueline Osherow, Micheal O'Siadhail, Richard G. Rohlfing Jr., and Jock Stein. Edited by Stephen D. Campbell, Richard G. Rohlfing Jr., and Richard S. Briggs, A New Song brings together a diverse roster of Jewish and Christian scholars to explore biblical Hebrew poetic texts within the context-and for the benefit-of communities of faith. These thoughtful essays and poems encourage readers to join in the singing of the old songs anew.

How Jewish is Christianity? The question of how Jesus' followers relate to Judaism has been a matter of debate since Jesus first sparred with the Pharisees. The controversy has not abated, taking many forms over the centuries. In the decades following the Holocaust, scholars and theologians reconsidered the Jewish origins and character of Christianity, finding points of continuity. Understanding the Jewish Roots of Christianity advances this discussion by freshly reassessing the issues. Did Jesus intend to form a new religion? Did Paul abrogate the Jewish law? Does the New Testament condemn Judaism? How and when did Christianity split from Judaism? How should Jewish believers in Jesus relate to a largely gentile church? What meaning do the Jewish origins of Christianity have for theology and practice today? In this volume, a variety of leading scholars and theologians explore the relationship of Judaism and Christianity through biblical, historical, theological, and ecclesiological angles. This cutting-edge scholarship will enrich readers' understanding of this centuries-old debate.

Debates rage over Paul's understanding of election in Romans 9–11. But is election really what Paul had in mind? Aaron Sherwood argues that this debate is foreign to Paul's purpose here. Paul primarily intended these passages to be a defense of God's covenantal faithfulness. In The Word of God Has Not Failed, Sherwood examines the first major passage of this section, Romans 9:6–20, giving special attention to the Old Testament Scriptures Paul used. It is vital to understand Paul's interpretation of these texts in order to understand the thrust of Paul's message. Sherwood shows how Paul viewed the rejection of the gospel by unbelieving Jews as idolatry, and the inclusion of believing Gentiles as a fulfillment of God's promises to Israel.

The death and resurrection of Joseph Towards the end of Genesis, the narrative slows down to tell the story of Joseph. There is no dispute that Joseph's story is unique, but why does it deserve such focused attention? And how does this story relate to the rest of Genesis? In Figuring Resurrection, Jeffrey Pulse presents the view that Joseph is a death-and-resurrection- figure. A close literary reading of Genesis 37–50 reveals that Joseph's story is one of rejection and restoration, descent and ascent, condemnation and exaltation, exile and return, death and resurrection. Far from a lengthy diversion, Joseph's story of "death and resurrection" plays an important role in the theology of Genesis and later Second Temple Jewish literature. Figuring Resurrection has implications for our understanding of Joseph's narrative, the book of Genesis, Hebrew thinking on the afterlife, and typology.

Should Christians be embarrassed by the book of Revelation? The Revelation of John has long confused and disturbed readers. The Apocalypse of John among Its Critics confronts the book's difficulties. Leading experts in Revelation wrestle honestly with a question raised by critics: - Should John's Apocalypse be in the canon? (Alan S. Bandy) - Was John intentionally confusing? (Ian Paul) - Was John a bully? (Alexander E. Stewart) - Did John delight in violence? (Dana M. Harris) - Was John a chauvinist? (Külli Tõniste) - Was John intolerant to others? (Michael Naylor) - Was John antisemitic? (Rob Dalrymple) - Did John make things up about the future? (Dave Mathewson) - Did John advocate political subversion? (Mark Wilson) - Did John misuse the Old Testament? (G.K. Beale) Engaging deeply with Revelation's difficulties helps the reader understand the book's message-and respond rightly. The book of Revelation does not need to be avoided or suppressed. It contains words of life.

"Toward the end of Genesis, the narrative slows down to tell the story of Joseph. There is no dispute that Joseph's story is unique, but why does it deserve such focused attention? And how does this story relate to the rest of Genesis? In Figuring Resurrection, Jeffrey Pulse presents the view that Joseph is a death-and-resurrection figure. A close literary reading of Genesis 37-50 reveals that Joseph's story is one of rejection and restoration, descent and ascent, condemnation and exaltation, exile and return, death and resurrection. Far from a lengthy diversion, Joseph's story of 'death and resurrection' plays an important role in the theology of Genesis and later Second Temple Jewish literature. Figuring Resurrection has implications for our understanding of Joseph's narrative, the book of Genesis, Hebrew thinking on the afterlife, and typology" --

"The fresh riches of biblical poetry for communities of faith A New Song brings together a diverse roster of Jewish and Christian scholars to explore biblical Hebrew poetic texts within the context-and for the benefit-of communities of faith. Edited by Stephen D. Campbell, Richard G. Rohlfing Jr., and Richard S. Briggs, A New Song includes nine essays on the hidden intricacies of poetry in the Hebrew Bible, ten original poems in dialogue with biblical poetry, and three reflective responses. These thoughtful essays and poems encourage readers to join in the singing of the old songs anew"--

"The promise and peril in reading the Minor Prophets Reading the Book of the Twelve Minor Prophets confronts the unique challenges presented by this daunting section of the Old Testament. Authors from a variety of perspectives consider questions about hermeneutics and composition, reception history, theodicy, metaphors and characterization, and theology. These essays provide insights from the history of interpretation and the latest in scholarship. Contributors include David G. Firth, Brittany N. Melton, Isabelle M. Hamley, Tchavdar S. Hadjiev, Heath A. Thomas, Thomas Renz, S. D. Snyman, Anthony R. Petterson, Beth M. Stovell, Julie Woods, and John Goldingay"--

Romans 9--11 has long been an interpretive battleground. While many scholars understand it to be a treatise on election, Aaron Sherwood argues that Paul is primarily interested in defending God's covenantal faithfulness. The first major passage of this section includes a long series of Old Testament citations, and Paul uses these texts to explain what God is doing with Jews who have rejected Jesus. In The Word of God Has Not Failed, Sherwood presents a fresh reading of Romans 9:6--29, focusing on Paul's use of Scripture. Since this passage contains such a high concentration of Old Testament quotations, it is vital to explore how Paul understood and interpreted those texts. Only then can we really understand the thrust of Paul's message. According to Sherwood, Paul sees the rejection of the gospel by unbelieving Jews as idolatry. He explains how God's judgment on them is working to fulfill his covenantal promises. And he shows that the inclusion of believing Gentiles is a fulfillment of God's promises to bless Israel and to make them a blessing to the nations.--Publisher description.

"The Psalter is a carefully edited work, skillfully arranged to communicate a theological message. The Promised Davidic King is a case study of how a single psalm shapes-and is shaped by-its context in the Psalter. Wyatt Aaron Graham argues that Psalm 108 plays a guiding role in Book V (Pss 107-150). Following Israel's return from exile in Psalm 107, Psalm 108 introduces the eschatological King and kingdom further developed in Psalms 109-110. Psalm 108 repurposes Psalms 57 and 60, which in this location, take on renewed meaning in the Psalter's unfolding story of redemption. Graham's study of Psalm 108 gives insight into the meaning of the Psalms and displays the benefits of reading psalms in their context"--

How Jewish is Christianity? The question of how Jesus' followers relate to Judaism has been a matter of debate since Jesus first sparred with the Pharisees. The controversy has not abated, taking many forms over the centuries. In the decades following the Holocaust, scholars and theologians reconsidered the Jewish origins and character of Christianity, finding points of continuity. Understanding the Jewish Roots of Christianity advances this discussion by freshly reassessing the issues. Did Jesus intend to form a new religion? Did Paul abrogate the Jewish law? Does the New Testament condemn Judaism? How and when did Christianity split from Judaism? How should Jewish believers in Jesus relate to a largely gentile church? What meaning do the Jewish origins of Christianity have for theology and practice today? In this volume, a variety of leading scholars and theologians explore the relationship of Judaism and Christianity through biblical, historical, theological, and ecclesiological angles. This cutting-edge scholarship will enrich readers' understanding of this centuries-old debate.

"The suffering psalmist and chosen king The Psalter evinces meaningful arrangement. When psalms are read with attentiveness to their textual context, striking connections emerge. In The Arrival of the King: The Shape and Story of Psalms 15-24, Carissa Quinn approaches these psalms as a compositional unity. When read as a unit, Psalms 15-24 tell the story of God's kingdom, established through the suffering and deliverance of his Davidic king. Quinn interprets Psalms 15-24 as a sequence and a chiasm, revealing provocative links in adjacent and parallel psalms. These psalms have a sense of progress, beginning with the question of who may ascend the holy hill and culminating in the divine king's own ascent. They also display recursion, as themes in one psalm are developed in its chiastic parallel. At the peak of the chiasm is Psalm 19, where the king praises God's creation and Torah and prays for righteousness. The Arrival of the King establishes and explores the rewards of approaching the Psalms as a carefully arranged literary work"--

Integrative approaches to the Psalter Reading the Psalms Theologically presents rich biblical-theological studies on the Psalter. “Reading the Psalter as a Unified Book: Recent Trends” (David M. Howard and Michael K. Snearly) “The Macrostructural Design and Logic of the Psalter: An Unfurling of the Davidic Covenant” (Peter C. W. Ho) “David's Biblical Theology and Typology in the Psalms: Authorial Intent and Patterns of the Seed of Promise” (James M. Hamilton) “A Story in the Psalms? Narrative Structure at the 'Seams' of the Psalter's Five Books” (David “Gunner” Gunderson) “Does the Book of Psalms Present a Divine Messiah?” (Seth D. Postell) “The Suffering Servant in Book V of the Psalter” (Jill Firth) “Excavating the 'Fossil Record' of a Metaphor: The Use of the Verb nasa' as 'to forgive' in the Psalter” (C. Hassell Bullock) “The Art of Lament in Lamentations” (May Young) “The Psalms of Lament and the Theology of the Cross” (Rolf A. Jacobson) “In Sheol, who can give you praise? Death in the Psalms” (Philip S. Johnston) “Psalm 32: More Accurately a Declarative Praise than Penitential Psalm” (Daniel J. Estes) “Theology of the Nations in the Book of Psalms” (Ryan J. Cook) “Psalm 87 and the Promise of Inclusion” (Jamie A. Grant) “YHWH Among the Gods: The Trial for Justice in Psalm 82” (Andrew J. Schmutzer) “Reclaiming Divine Sovereignty in the Anthropocene: Psalms 93—100 and the Convergence of Theology and Ecology” (J. Clinton McCann) “A Theology of Glory: Divine Sanctum and Service in the Psalter” (Jerome Skinner) “Perceptions of Divine Presence in the Levitical Psalms of Book 2: The Paradox of Distance and Proximity” (J. Nathan Clayton) “Psalm 110, Jesus, and Melchizedek” (David C. Mitchell) The essays interpret the Psalms as a carefully-composed book. Each study focuses on a biblical or theological topic, drawing insights from past interpreters and current scholarship.

The genesis of evil. The book of Genesis recites the beginnings of the cosmos and its inhabitants. It also reveals the beginning of evil. Before long, evil infests God's good creation. From there, good and evil coexist and drive the plot of Genesis. In Evil in Genesis, Ingrid Faro uncovers how the Bible's first book presents the meaning of evil. Faro conducts a thorough examination of evil on lexical, exegetical, conceptual, and theological levels. This focused analysis allows the Hebrew terminology to be nuanced and permits Genesis' own distinct voice to be heard. Genesis presents evil as the taking of something good and twisting it for one's own purposes rather than enjoying it how God intended. Faro illuminates the perspective of Genesis on a range of themes, including humanity's participation in evil, evil's consequences, and God's responses to evil.

The Psalms as Christian Scripture. Reading the Psalms Theologically presents rich biblical-theological studies on the Psalter. - Reading the Psalter as a Unified Book: Recent Trends (David M. Howard and Michael K. Snearly) - The Macrostructural Design and Logic of the Psalter: An Unfurling of the Davidic Covenant (Peter C. W. Ho) - David's Biblical Theology and Typology in the Psalms: Authorial Intent and Patterns of the Seed of Promise (James M. Hamilton) - A Story in the Psalms? Narrative Structure at the "Seams" of the Psalter's Five Books (David "Gunner" Gunderson) - Does the Book of Psalms Present a Divine Messiah? (Seth D. Postell) - The Suffering Servant in Book V of the Psalter (Jill Firth) - Excavating the "Fossil Record" of a Metaphor: The Use of the Verb nasa' as "to forgive" in the Psalter (C. Hassell Bullock) - The Art of Lament in Lamentations (May Young) - The Psalms of Lament and the Theology of the Cross (Rolf A. Jacobson) - "In Sheol, who can give you praise?" Death in the Psalms (Philip S. Johnston) - Psalm 32: More Accurately a Declarative Praise than Penitential Psalm (Daniel J. Estes) - Theology of the Nations in the Book of Psalms (Ryan J. Cook) - Psalm 87 and the Promise of Inclusion (Jamie A. Grant) - YHWH Among the Gods: The Trial for Justice in Psalm 82 (Andrew J. Schmutzer) - Reclaiming Divine Sovereignty in the Anthropocene: Psalms 93–100 and the Convergence of Theology and Ecology (J. Clinton McCann) - A Theology of Glory: Divine Sanctum and Service in the Psalter (Jerome Skinner) - Perceptions of Divine Presence in the Levitical Psalms of Book 2: The Paradox of Distance and Proximity (J. Nathan Clayton) - Psalm 110, Jesus, and Melchizedek (David C. Mitchell) The essays interpret the Psalms as a carefully-composed book. Each study focuses on a biblical or theological topic, drawing insights from past interpreters and current scholarship.