Job. F. Rachel Magdalene Universität Leipzig and Humboldt Universität zu Berlin Leipzig and Berlin, Germany
|
|
- Julie Amelia Wilson
- 5 years ago
- Views:
Transcription
1 RBL 02/2010 Whybray, Norman Job Readings, a New Biblical Commentary Sheffield: Sheffield Phoenix, Pp. viii Paper. $ ISBN F. Rachel Magdalene Universität Leipzig and Humboldt Universität zu Berlin Leipzig and Berlin, Germany This volume is a reprint of Norman Whybray s Readings commentary on the book of Job, which first appeared in That year was also the year of Norman Whybray s death. Hence, this reprint volume is a tenth-anniversary remembrance of sorts, although nothing but the dates would suggest that. It was an important volume on Job ten years ago and remains one now. I would recommend it to all people interested in the book of Job, whether one is first approaching the book or a long-experienced reader. This commentary series is meant to be reader-friendly. Thus, Whybray s book has an easyto-read style, no notes, and little bibliography. Whybray used, for the most part, the NRSV text, with its numbering of chapters 40 41, noting those few places where he had a significant disagreement with this translation. The NRSV text of Job is not, however, included in the book. Whybray does not refer often to the Hebrew, and that to which he must refer is all transliterated. The book consists of an introduction, forty-two chapters (one for each chapter of the book of Job), a very short bibliography, and a complete index of references. The book, therefore, is quite approachable, even where Whybray is dealing with complex ideas. This is one of the book s strengths and makes it especially useful in an educational setting. It does not have a subject index and, thus, appears not to be meant as a reference tool. The ideas are, however, deserving of such.
2 As we know, many approaches to Job are possible. Whybray spent a great deal of his academic life on the wisdom materials of the Hebrew Bible, and this book reflects his broad knowledge of that subject. This commentary takes fundamentally a narratological approach to reading and has a strong emphasis on the wisdom materials of the text. Whybray s interaction with the wisdom materials is another one of the book s strengths. Some of its additional strengths include the subtlety of many of Whybray s narratological readings and his creative solutions to some of the often-studied literary and theological problems of Job. For me, the main problem with the book is that Whybray did not go far enough in moving away from certain aspects of more traditional readings. He often asserts a view held by a minority of scholars, makes an approach to a still more radical idea, then softens all this in his summaries. He pushes the envelope here, but with some hesitation. I suspect that, had he lived another decade, he would have continued to innovate and with less hesitation. Whybray was a highly knowledgeable and creative scholar who was often on the forefront of biblical studies. Consequently, my remarks regarding this weakness must be put in perspective. I offer just a few examples of the strengths and weaknesses of the commentary from its first three chapters. Whybray covers some of the usual ground in his introduction, including the compositional history of Job. Whybray takes an atypical stand in this regard. He reads synchronically and maintains that, although many good diachronic arguments exist regarding the compositional history of the book, none of them are absolutely necessary to understanding the book. Whybray is convinced that the wisdom poem is consistent with the book as a whole. Of this, he avers: These [diachronic] problems do not directly affect the assessment of ch. 28. The argument against its originality is principally that it cannot be the original continuation of ch. 27 because of its theme. The claim that ch. 28 as a treatise on the nature of wisdom is irrelevant to the preceding debate betrays a misunderstanding of the nature of that debate. The fact that the root h km occurs some 24 times in the book apart from ch. 28 is itself sufficient to suggest that there is a connection between that chapter and the rest of the book; and this is confirmed by an analysis of the contexts in which wisdom is mentioned in the dialogue. Indeed, it may be claimed that in a real sense the question of wisdom is the main issue of the dialogue. The dialogue is a dispute about who is in the right that is, who among the disputants possesses wisdom. (13, emphasis original) He also believes that the wisdom poem is in the correct location (13 14). Whybray makes a good argument that the Elihu speeches are original to the book but later suggests that
3 they are the most suspect diachronically. He states in the end: The arguments for and against the Elihu speeches as an integral part of the book each have their own plausibility; but inasmuch as the onus of proof lies upon the proponents of a negative judgment, it may be concluded that their case is not proven (18). In other words, all things being equal, the case falls on the question of burden of proof! This is, disappointingly, the only place he uses law in his argument. He might have been a bit more enthusiastic at the end of his discussion of Elihu, because, I believe, he had the argument. 1 In taking these positions on the wisdom poem and Elihu speeches, Whybray is in a small minority; nonetheless, most of his source-critical arguments are clear and are not beyond scholarly circles. I can share Whybray s view of the compositional history of the text, except in regard to the wisdom poem. He is correct that wisdom is one of the key themes of the book; the wisdom poem is not in anyway antithetical to the book. The difficulty for me is that it springs from Job s mouth late in the story s events, as both Clines and Pope have also noted. 2 This does not make sense to me in the development of the book s narrative. Thus, the wisdom poem seems to be, at a minimum, a part of the theologically driven redaction/corruption of the third cycle of the book. 3 I also appreciate much about Whybray s reading of the prologue. A level of sensitivity to the narrative exists that is not always displayed in other such readings. For instance, in discussing the interaction between Yahweh and the Satan in ch. 1, Whybray states: The Satan suggests that Job s piety is not genuine but conditional on Yahweh s continuing to confer worldly goods on him. So Yahweh allows himself to be tempted by the Satan to permit him to make a test. But in fact it is obvious to the reader that this is as much a test of Yahweh as of Job. If even the ostensibly perfect 1. Whybray s habit of softening his strong initial assertions also occurs in regard to the compositional history overall. He seems to be arguing throughout this chapter that the book is the work of one hand and late (6). Nevertheless, he concludes his introduction by stating: Whether or not its various parts were the work of different writers, its composition cannot have been the result of chance. Those, who gave it its final form know what they were doing; they perceived it as having a single theme, though one with many facets the nature of God and his relationship to his human creatures (22 23). 2. M. H. Pope, Job (3rd ed.; AB 15; Garden City, N.Y.: Doubleday, 1979), xxvii; and D. J. A. Clines, Job 1 20 (WBC 17; Dallas: Word, 1989), lix. See also R. H. Pfeiffer, Introduction to the Old Testament (New York: Harper & Brothers, 1948), I was, at one time, more convinced that the wisdom poem was a later addition than I am now. See F. R. Magdalene, On the Scales of Righteousness: Neo-Babylonian Trial Law and the Book of Job (BJS 348; Providence, R.I.: Brown Judaic Studies, 2007), 10 n. 32. Arguments like that of Whybray have moved me in this new direction.
4 Job fails the test, this means no true, disinterested fear of God exists in the world; and if this is so, Yahweh s entire plan for humanity fails. ( 8) Not many interpreters have suggested that Yahweh s fate stands with that of Job. This is just one example of Whybray s innovative thinking, which I admire. Nonetheless, I have a few objections to certain parts of his reading. First, I expected Whybray to develop these introductory remarks to a much greater extent that he does in his discussion of chapters 1 2. Whybray spends much more time arguing that the satan is God s duly authorized subordinate and cannot do anything that God does not want him to do (24 28; cf. 29). For example, Whybray states: Although he is evidently permitted to speak his mind, the Satan cannot act without Yahweh s permission; but he makes use of his privilege of speech to persuade Yahweh to change his mind (26). This is somewhat inconsistent with his view that this is also a test of Yahweh. In this, he backs off some his initial assertions, which seems to be a common habit in this book. 4 I ponder why the satan cannot have powers beyond speech to exercise freely. I understand the problem to monotheism and God s omnipotence and sovereignty, if the satan is on equal footing with God. It is possible, however, to hold firmly to the satan s free will without allowing him equality with God. I also wonder why Whybray is willing to characterize Yahweh as omnipotent but without moral backbone. He says that the satan can tempt Yahweh (8), persuade Yahweh to change his mind (26), easily persuade him (26), and persuade him, apparently against his will (24). Further, he [Yahweh] exhibits weakness in allowing himself to be seduced by the Satan s cynicism (24). Once again, Yahweh s omnipotence is bought with his omnibeneficence. He has the moral development of a child. Whybray is, however, onto something of utmost importance when he acknowledges that The Satan further accuses God of fostering this attitude of Job s by giving him special protection (v. 10), and claims that if Job s wealth were to be stripped from him God would discover the fraud (26, emphasis added). This accusation is far more serious than Whybray, or any other interpreter to date, allows. The satan is saying here that Job is bad, yet God has favored him. In this, God has disrupted the very foundations of retributive justice: good should beget good; bad should beget bad. While Whybray had gone much further out on this limb than had any other interpreter, except Day and Good, in 1998, 5 4. See also n. 1, supra. 5. P. L. Day, An Adversary in Heaven: Śāt ān in the Hebrew Bible (HSM 43; Atlanta: Scholars Press, 1988), 76, Day states: I am suggesting that Yahweh is on trial, for his conduct of world order, from the very beginning [of the dispute] (81; cf. 80). She indicates that F. M. Cross and P. Mosca first suggested this idea to her (76 n. 18). E. M. Good agrees with Day (In Turns of the Tempest: A Reading of Job [Stanford, Calif.: Stanford University Press, 1990], 195, 411 n. 17).
5 he did not either see or develop the implications of what he was asserting: that God is also accused. Whybray is almost there when he says, Job s acceptance of this [the removal of his benefits without cursing God] would appear to exonerate God (8). The legal ramifications of the satan s allegation are two: that Job actually has a blasphemous intention; and that Yahweh has protected him with blessings rather than giving him what he deserves. These are profoundly important to understanding the story. If Job stands legally accused by the satan, God cannot stop the trial without again favoring Job. If God stands legally accused, he cannot stop the trial any more than any other defendant can do so. To be a just God, God cannot interfere with the justice system that he established, without undoing justice entirely. God does, in fact, become dependent on Job to demonstrate that he is what God says he is, against the view of the satan. Job s failure to blaspheme God in the face of his disasters does, indeed, exonerate God from the satan s charge. I am less convinced that Job has to, or does, come to believe in God s absolute sovereign freedom to give and take as he pleases in the process (8). This position and all traditional readings of the book of Job simply fail to take the issue of Job s potential blasphemy seriously. The prologue repeatedly addresses the issue of cursing/blasphemy (1:5, 11; 2:5, 9). Yet, hardly any readings name what is at stake, that is, whether or not Job has a blasphemous intention (for which he has not done ritual atonement, as he has done for his children) (1:5). And why might that be true, according to the satan? Because God has protected Job from his blasphemous intention by rewarding him instead of punishing him. The satan alleges that, if these rewards should be withdrawn, the guilty act would surely follow the guilty mind. If we understand this, the whole book, including the Elihu passages, makes much more sense. Whybray, in ignoring law completely, is unable to take the last step of the journey his is on. God is dependent on Job to exonerate him. This has profound theological implications as to the idea of God s sovereign freedom. God cannot be wholly independent if he is dependent on Job for anything. In truth, relationship always demands that one surrender a certain degree of freedom. The balance between the independence and dependence of both parties in any relationship is always something of a dance. Love is freely given, but it is a risk to give because one must surrender some degree of freedom in order to account for the needs of the other. Any mentally healthy spouse, lover, or parent can attest to this. I do not see why it should be different for God as First Lover, Creator, and Parent. My second objection to Whybray s analysis of the prologue is in his depiction of Job s wife. Her intervention in the story is characterized as stupid (4), and she is said to be giving wicked advice (31). He offers additionally: Her advice, Curse God and die, is a deliberate echo of the Satan s predictions in 1:11 and 2:5; and though its intention was probably to bring an end to her husband s suffering, it was a temptation to him to sin (34). He supports other interpreters portrayal of her as the mouthpiece of the Satan (20;
6 cf. 11). 6 Whybray is far from cutting-edge in this regard! All interpreters have been very hard on her, from the ancient interpreters to present-day even feminist interpreters. 7 I do not think that Job s wife is stupid, wicked, or anything less than extremely wise. 8 Several interpreters have noted that Job changes profoundly after her words. 9 We also need to take that far more seriously than we have done before. Mrs. Job calls Job forward into the struggle with God. She plays a critically important role in the book. If anyone in the book is the mouthpiece of the Satan, it is surely Elihu, who actually accuses Job twice of speaking derision (l g, a word within the realm of blasphemy), during his speeches. 10 This occurs first in 34:7: What mortal is like Job, who drinks up derision [l g] like water ; and a second time in 36:17 18: You are full of a lawsuit of the wicked. Lawsuit and litigation obsess you. Beware that wrath does not entice you into derision [l g], and do not let a large bribe turn you aside. The satan says Job will do the guilty act. Elihu says Job indeed did it. Importantly, Whybray states in his discussion of Elihu s appearance and disappearance from the text: Elihu is perhaps best seen as a transitional figure who quite properly disappears once his role has been played out a counterpart to that other figure, the Satan, for whom also there was no further role in the author s scheme (18). Whybray observes the connection between the two characters but does take it much further. I would to suggest that Elihu finishes what the satan began, which is why they come and go from the narrative as they do. I could continue in similar vein with the rest of Whybray s chapters, but I will not in favor of bringing this review to a close. In sum, I believe that Whybray is one of the most insightful and important of Joban interpreters, in that he explains simply some of the standard but complex views of the book; advances some less well accepted ideas; and articulates or begins to formulate some quite innovative ideas that are supported by the text. This is not, however, a perfect work. I have my critiques; I read some texts 6. See, e.g., N. C. Habel, The Book of Job: A Commentary (OTL; Philadelphia: Westminster, 1985), 96. He is, however, hardly alone. 7. G. West states: [T]here is a long history of interpretation in which Job s wife has been severely battered ( Hearing Job s Wife: Towards a Feminist Reading of Job, Old Testament Essays 4 [1991]: 107). The exceptions to this rule are I. Pardes, Counter-traditions in the Bible: A Feminist Approach (Cambridge: Harvard University Press, 1992), ; and E. van Wolde, The Development of Job: Mrs. Job as Catalyst, in Feminist Companion to Wisdom Literature (ed. A. Brenner; FCB 9; Sheffield: Sheffield Academic Press, 1995), D. Schweitzer also has a sympathetic reading of Mrs. Job, although it is not quite as strong as those of Pardes and van Wolde ( Curse God and Die : Was Job s Wife Completely Wrong? Touchstone 14 [September 1996]: 32 38). 8. For my full discussion of Mrs. Job, see Job s Wife as Hero: A Feminist-Forensic Reading of the Book of Job, BibInt 14 (2006): R. D. Moore, The Integrity of Job, CBQ 45 (1983): 17 31; van Wolde, Development of Job, BDB states that the noun l g, as it is used in 34:7 and 36:18, nearly = blasphemy (514). R. L. Harris and G. L. Archer agree that l g belongs in the constellation of roots meaning blasphemy and slander (TWOT 1:480).
7 differently. Thus, I am reminded of an old joke: It is said that doing biblical studies is a lot like owning a house with ten windows and nine screens: no matter how you arrange them, some flies get in! This is no truer than when reading the book of Job. Writing a commentary on Job even a reader-friendly one is a very demanding and intricate task, one that will always allow some critic to find the flies that got in. What Whybray accomplished here is both significant and difficult, yet he made it look effortless. All scholars should be familiar with his reading of the text. It has the added advantage that it is an easy and delightful reading experience. I recommend it highly.
5060 Wisdom Literature Syllabus
5060 Wisdom Literature Syllabus Summer 2018, June 4-8 8:00-10:55 AM 1:00-4:15 PM Instructor: Lance Hawley Email: lhawley2@harding.edu Phone: (901) 275-0468 Let the wise hear and add learning, and let one
More information5060 Wisdom Literature Syllabus
5060 Wisdom Literature Syllabus Fall 2017, Mondays 6:00-8:45 Instructor: Lance Hawley Email: lhawley2@harding.edu Phone: (901) 275-0468 Let the wise man hear and add learning, and let one who has understanding
More informationEarth Bible Commentary 1. Terence E. Fretheim Luther Seminary St. Paul, Minnesota
RBL 10/2013 Norman Habel The Birth, the Curse and the Greening of Earth: An Ecological Reading of Genesis 1 11 Earth Bible Commentary 1 Sheffield: Sheffield Phoenix, 2011. Pp. xii + 140. Hardcover. $80.00.
More informationHave you considered my servant Job?
Have you considered my servant Job? Job Chapters 1-42 The book of Job has been a beloved piece of scripture for millennia. The "wise" author profoundly wrestles with the nagging problem of evil, particularly
More information4/22/ :42:01 AM
RITUAL AND RHETORIC IN LEVITICUS: FROM SACRIFICE TO SCRIPTURE. By James W. Watts. Cambridge University Press 2007. Pp. 217. $85.00. ISBN: 0-521-87193-X. This is one of a significant number of new books
More informationHebrew Bible Monographs 23. Suzanne Boorer Murdoch University Perth, Australia
RBL 02/2011 Shectman, Sarah Women in the Pentateuch: A Feminist and Source- Critical Analysis Hebrew Bible Monographs 23 Sheffield: Sheffield Phoenix, 2009. Pp. xiii + 204. Hardcover. $85.00. ISBN 9781906055721.
More informationThe Anchor Yale Bible. Klaas Spronk Protestant Theological University Kampen, The Netherlands
RBL 03/2010 Christensen, Duane L. Nahum: A New Translation with Introduction and Commentary The Anchor Yale Bible New Haven, Conn.: Yale University Press, 2009. Pp. xxxiv + 423. Hardcover. $65.00. ISBN
More informationH. C. P. Kim Methodist Theological School in Ohio Delaware, OH 43015
RBL 03/2003 Leclerc, Thomas L. Yahweh Is Exalted in Justice: Solidarity and Conflict in Isaiah Minneapolis: Fortress, 2001. Pp. x + 229. Paper. $20.00. ISBN 0800632559. H. C. P. Kim Methodist Theological
More informationSharing the Gospel with Children
Sharing the Gospel with Children Key Biblical and Theological Convictions of Village Table of Contents Sharing the Gospel with Children... 1 Common Pitfalls in Sharing the Gospel with Children... 2 Oversimplifying
More informationFor many believers, fulfilling Christ s
A GRACE COMMUNITY CHURCH DISTINCTIVE Evangelizing Children For many believers, fulfilling Christ s command to make disciples of all nations begins at home with their children. In fact, few experiences
More informationEichrodt, Walther. Theology of the Old Testament: Volume 1. The Old Testament Library.
Eichrodt, Walther. Theology of the Old Testament: Volume 1. The Old Testament Library. Translated by J.A. Baker. Philadelphia: Westminster, 1961. 542 pp. $50.00. The discipline of biblical theology has
More informationThe Gospel at the Table (1 Corinthians 11:17 34)
The Gospel at the Table (1 Corinthians 11:17 34) In his introductory text on hermeneutics, God-centered Biblical Interpretation, Dr. V. Poythress creatively uses different imaginary characters (e.g., Peter
More informationJob 2 When the Test Gets Personal
Job 2 When the Test Gets Personal Introduction It is well worth noting that even when Satan engaged Christ directly and failed, it did not discourage him from returning and trying again. 13 When the devil
More information[MJTM 14 ( )] BOOK REVIEW
[MJTM 14 (2012 2013)] BOOK REVIEW Michael F. Bird, ed. Four Views on the Apostle Paul. Counterpoints: Bible and Theology. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2012. 236 pp. Pbk. ISBN 0310326953. The Pauline writings
More informationJob. Outline. Date & Authorship. Critical Issues
1 Job Outline 1. prose prologue (1-2) 2. Job's lament (3) 3. dialogue between Job & his friends (4-27) a. first cycle (4-14) b. second cycle (15-21) c. third cycle (22-27) 4. poem on wisdom (28) 5. Job's
More informationF. Rachel Magdalene Universität Leipzig Leipzig, Germany
RBL 08/2012 Verbin, N. Divinely Abused: A Philosophical Perspective on Job and His Kin New York: Continuum, 2010. Pp. xvi + 162. Hardcover. $110.00. ISBN 9780826435880. F. Rachel Magdalene Universität
More informationDoes the Skeptic Win? A Defense of Moore. I. Moorean Methodology. In A Proof of the External World, Moore argues as follows:
Does the Skeptic Win? A Defense of Moore I argue that Moore s famous response to the skeptic should be accepted even by the skeptic. My paper has three main stages. First, I will briefly outline G. E.
More informationPROSPECTS FOR A JAMESIAN EXPRESSIVISM 1 JEFF KASSER
PROSPECTS FOR A JAMESIAN EXPRESSIVISM 1 JEFF KASSER In order to take advantage of Michael Slater s presence as commentator, I want to display, as efficiently as I am able, some major similarities and differences
More informationDISCUSSION QUESTIONS FOR SINAI AND THE SAINTS
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS FOR SINAI AND THE SAINTS I have designed these discussion questions for small groups or classes who are reading Sinai and the Saints together. If a small group desires to use the book
More informationActs & Romans (4NT516) hours
Acts & Romans (4NT516) 2019 2 hours Syllabus INSTRUCTOR Dr Bruce Lowe received his first doctorate in Analytical Chemistry and taught, consulted and researched in a university setting over several years
More informationSIN AND DEATH AND GRACE 1 JOHN 5:16-17
SIN AND DEATH AND GRACE 1 JOHN 5:16-17 I was listening to a couple of interviews of some pastors and counselors recently and the interviewer asked two different panels a question that I have asked others
More information2. The Old Testament is important, but is inferior to the New Testament (for instance, in ethical issues like polygamy, vengeance, etc.).
Wheelersburg Baptist Church 5/21/08 Wednesday evening Old Testament Survey Job How well do you know the Old Testament? Our goal in our current Wednesday evening series is to get to know it better! Why
More informationAssess the role of the disciple Jesus loved in relation to the Johannine community and the Gospel s creation. Is the person identifiable?
Assess the role of the disciple Jesus loved in relation to the Johannine community and the Gospel s creation. Is the person identifiable? The Gospel According to John (hereafter John), alongside the other
More informationActs & Romans (4NT516) hours
Acts & Romans (4NT516) 2016 2 hours Syllabus INSTRUCTOR Dr Bruce Lowe received his first doctorate in Analytical Chemistry and taught, consulted and researched in a university setting over several years
More informationTHE REFORMED ROAD AND THE SIGNIFICANCE SUPRALAPSARIANISM FOR CALVINISM
THE REFORMED ROAD AND THE SIGNIFICANCE OF SUPRALAPSARIANISM FOR CALVINISM How far have you gone down the Reformed road? How far are you willing to go? It is no secret that I believe that Calvinism (in
More information[MJTM 15 ( )] BOOK REVIEW. David J. A. Clines. Job WBC 18B; Nashville: Thomas Nelson, xxv pp. Hbk. ISBN
[MJTM 15 (2013 2014)] BOOK REVIEW David J. A. Clines. Job 38 42. WBC 18B; Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 2011. xxv + 500 pp. Hbk. ISBN 0785252673. This volume by Clines marks not only the completion of this
More informationActs & Romans (4NT5250) hours
Syllabus INSTRUCTOR Acts & Romans (4NT5250) 2019 2 hours Dr Bruce Lowe received his first doctorate in Analytical Chemistry and taught, consulted and researched in a university setting over several years
More informationGideon and Baal: A Test Case for Interfaith Dialogue By Richard D. Nelson. Abstract. Scriptural Reasoning. Scripture as a Theater of Values 3
15 Gideon and Baal: A Test Case for Interfaith Dialogue By Richard D. Nelson Abstract The practice of Scriptural Reasoning (SR) provides a unique resource for interfaith dialogue. This process brings together
More informationTHE LETTER TO THE ROMANS PART II LAW AND GRACE, LIVING AS CHILDREN OF GOD
THE LETTER TO THE ROMANS PART II LAW AND GRACE, LIVING AS CHILDREN OF GOD I. Chapters 3 through 7 raise and then respond to various objections that could be made against the notion of salvation by grace
More information[MJTM 14 ( )] BOOK REVIEW
[MJTM 14 (2012 2013)] BOOK REVIEW Tremper Longman III and David E. Garland, eds. Numbers Ruth. EBC 2. Rev. ed. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2012. 1360 pp. Hbk. ISBN: 9780310234944. With the publication of
More informationDavid W Fletcher, 2001, 2018 (Revised) By Permission / Unauthorized Electronic Publishing Prohibited /
THE PERSEVERANCE OF JOB THE PATRIARCH The book of Job in the Old Testament is part of a collection of books in the Bible called wisdom literature. More importantly, the book can be seen as a wisdom tractate
More informationThe deepest and most formidable presentation to date of the reductionist interpretation
Reply to Cover Dennis Plaisted, University of Tennessee at Chattanooga The deepest and most formidable presentation to date of the reductionist interpretation ofleibniz's views on relations is surely to
More informationJUDICIAL ENFORCEMENT OF THE ESTABLISHMENT CLAUSE
JUDICIAL ENFORCEMENT OF THE ESTABLISHMENT CLAUSE Richard W. Garnett* There is-no surprise!-nothing doctrinaire, rigid, or formulaic about Kent Greenawalt's study of the establishment clause. He works with
More information[MJTM 15 ( )] BOOK REVIEW
[MJTM 15 (2013 2014)] BOOK REVIEW Jeremy R. Treat. The Crucified King: Atonement and Kingdom in Biblical and Systematic Theology. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2014. 284 pp. + indexes. Pbk. ISBN: 978-0-310-51674-3.
More informationEternal Security and Exegetical Overview of Hebrews
Eternal Security and Exegetical Overview of Hebrews An Attempt to Move the Issue from Prooftexting to Texts which Sustain the Argument Introduction to the TheologicalDebate For 500 years, much of evangelical
More informationThe Call to Holy Warfare
1 The Call to Holy Warfare WHAT S GOING ON HERE? I, the missionary, asked myself over and over. The unreasonable resistance to the gospel, opposition from non-christians, inexplicable depression, backbiting
More informationIntroduction to the Prophets. Timothy J. Sandoval Chicago Theological Seminary Chicago, Illinois
RBL 02/2010 Redditt, Paul L. Introduction to the Prophets Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2008. Pp. xv + 404. Paper. $26.00. ISBN 9780802828965. Timothy J. Sandoval Chicago Theological Seminary Chicago, Illinois
More informationWilliam Morrow Queen stheological College Kingston, Ontario, Canada
RBL 06/2007 Vogt, Peter T. Deuteronomic Theology and the Significance of Torah: A Reappraisal Winona Lake, Ind.: Eisenbrauns, 2006. Pp. xii + 242. Hardcover. $37.50. ISBN 1575061074. William Morrow Queen
More informationCHAPTER ONE INTRODUCTORY MATTERS REGARDING THE STUDY OF THE CESSATION OF PROPHECY IN THE OLD TESTAMENT
CHAPTER ONE INTRODUCTORY MATTERS REGARDING THE STUDY OF THE CESSATION OF PROPHECY IN THE OLD TESTAMENT Chapter One of this thesis will set forth the basic contours of the study of the theme of prophetic
More informationEXECUTION AND INVENTION: DEATH PENALTY DISCOURSE IN EARLY RABBINIC. Press Pp $ ISBN:
EXECUTION AND INVENTION: DEATH PENALTY DISCOURSE IN EARLY RABBINIC AND CHRISTIAN CULTURES. By Beth A. Berkowitz. Oxford University Press 2006. Pp. 349. $55.00. ISBN: 0-195-17919-6. Beth Berkowitz argues
More informationChapter Seven The Structure of Arguments
Chapter Seven The Structure of Arguments Argumentation is the process whereby humans use reason to engage in critical decision making. The focus on reason distinguishes argumentation from other modes of
More information"Book Review: FRANKFURT, Harry G. On Inequality. Princeton and Oxford: Princeton University Press, 2015, 102 pp., $14.95 (hbk), ISBN
"Book Review: FRANKFURT, Harry G. On Inequality. Princeton and Oxford: Princeton University Press, 2015, 102 pp., $14.95 (hbk), ISBN 9780691167145." 1 Andrea Luisa Bucchile Faggion Universidade Estadual
More informationCompatibilist Objections to Prepunishment
Florida Philosophical Review Volume X, Issue 1, Summer 2010 7 Compatibilist Objections to Prepunishment Winner of the Outstanding Graduate Paper Award at the 55 th Annual Meeting of the Florida Philosophical
More informationHOW CHRISTIANS GROW II PETER 1: 5-7. Need: To add the things to our faith that make growth possible.
HOW CHRISTIANS GROW II PETER 1: 5-7 Need: To add the things to our faith that make growth possible. Proposition: There are qualities that must be added to our saving faith if we are to grow in our Christian
More informationThe Johannine Creation Account Stephen J. Bedard
The Johannine Creation Account Stephen J. Bedard The influence of Genesis 1 on the opening verses of John seems obvious. Opening with in the beginning, there seems to be a deliberate attempt by the author
More informationa0rxh/ On Van Inwagen s Argument Against the Doctrine of Arbitrary Undetached Parts WESLEY H. BRONSON Princeton University
a0rxh/ On Van Inwagen s Argument Against the Doctrine of Arbitrary Undetached Parts WESLEY H. BRONSON Princeton University Imagine you are looking at a pen. It has a blue ink cartridge inside, along with
More informationLiving the Christian Life through Wisdom Literature: Proverbs and Job 6OT703
Living the Christian Life through Wisdom Literature: Proverbs and Job 6OT703 Reformed Theological Seminary Washington/Baltimore August 2005 Tremper Longman III, Ph.D. Fourth Presbyterian Church Westmont
More informationRS 255: Protestant Faith & Practice MW 3:00 4:15, Buttrick 213 Laura S. Sugg
RS 255: Protestant Faith & Practice MW 3:00 4:15, Buttrick 213 Laura S. Sugg Office: Alston Campus Center, 223 Office phone: Agnes Scott College Email: lsugg@agnesscott.edu Home phone Office hours: I am
More informationStatement of Faith. The Scriptures
Statement of Faith The Scriptures We accept the Bible, including the 39 books of the Old Testament and the 27 books of the New Testament, as the written Word of God. The Bible is the only essential and
More informationRECENT WORK THE MINIMAL DEFINITION AND METHODOLOGY OF COMPARATIVE PHILOSOPHY: A REPORT FROM A CONFERENCE STEPHEN C. ANGLE
Comparative Philosophy Volume 1, No. 1 (2010): 106-110 Open Access / ISSN 2151-6014 www.comparativephilosophy.org RECENT WORK THE MINIMAL DEFINITION AND METHODOLOGY OF COMPARATIVE PHILOSOPHY: A REPORT
More informationTrusting God in Times of Adversity
Trusting God in Times of Adversity by Kay Arthur and Pete De Lacy HARVEST HOUSE PUBLISHERS Copyright 2003 by Kay Arthur and Pete De Lacy Published by Harvest House Publishers, Eugene, Oregon 97402 All
More informationJohanna Erzberger Catholic University of Paris Paris, France
RBL 03/2015 John Goldingay Isaiah 56-66: Introduction, Text, and Commentary International Critical Commentary London: Bloomsbury, 2014. Pp. xxviii + 527. Cloth. $100.00. ISBN 9780567569622. Johanna Erzberger
More informationSyllabus for GBIB 556 Jesus in the Synoptic Gospels 3.0 Credit Hours Spring 2001
I. COURSE DESCRIPTION Syllabus for GBIB 556 Jesus in the Synoptic Gospels 3.0 Credit Hours Spring 2001 A study of the Synoptic Gospels designed to enhance understanding of the person, message, and mission
More informationMetaphysical Language, Ordinary Language and Peter van Inwagen s Material Beings *
Commentary Metaphysical Language, Ordinary Language and Peter van Inwagen s Material Beings * Peter van Inwagen Cornell University Press, Ithaca, 1990 Daniel Nolan** daniel.nolan@nottingham.ac.uk Material
More informationHOW JESUS PREACHED TO THE SPIRITS IN PRISON. (Reprint from THE BIBLE STUDENTS MONTHLY, Volume V, No. 2, dated 1913.)
HOW JESUS PREACHED TO THE SPIRITS IN PRISON (Reprint from THE BIBLE STUDENTS MONTHLY, Volume V, No. 2, dated 1913.) Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the Just for the unjust, that He might bring
More informationThe BIBLe expedition. Job Overview
The BIBLe expedition Job Overview Opening discussion: How do you feel about the Lord giving Satan permission to test Job? I feel sorry for Job I don t understand it It scares me I m glad Satan is subject
More informationSome of the repetitions include: Joseph recognizes his brothers but they do not recognize him: 42.7; 45.1 Brothers come to buy grain: 42.7; 43.
FALL 2015 SEMESTER 11/01/2015 Week 7 of 10 in session SERMON SERIES: Washington DC is a pressure packed city, and stress is the great separator when it comes to our relationships with God and others. In
More informationAtheism: A Christian Response
Atheism: A Christian Response What do atheists believe about belief? Atheists Moral Objections An atheist is someone who believes there is no God. There are at least five million atheists in the United
More informationA REVIEW OF JOHN MACARTHUR S HARD TO BELIEVE: THE HIGH COST AND INFINITE VALUE OF FOLLOWING JESUS
A REVIEW OF JOHN MACARTHUR S HARD TO BELIEVE: THE HIGH COST AND INFINITE VALUE OF FOLLOWING JESUS ROBERT N. WILKIN Editor Journal of the Grace Evangelical Society Irving, Texas I. INTRODUCTION John MacArthur
More information22 SESSION LifeWay
22 SESSION 2 The Point God Himself is my salvation. The Passage Psalm 27:1-6 The Bible Meets Life We depend on a lot of things to get us through the day. We depend on people to carry out their tasks. We
More informationContents. Course Directions 4. Outline of Romans 7. Outline of Lessons 8. Lessons Recommended Reading 156
Contents Course Directions 4 Outline of Romans 7 Outline of Lessons 8 Lessons 1-12 11 Recommended Reading 156 Questions for Review and Final Test 157 Form for Assignment Record 169 Form for Requesting
More informationTexts Bill T. Arnold Genesis, The New Cambridge Bible Commentary (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2009).
Preliminay Course Syllabus BTS-5130 Theology of the Book of Genesis Canadian Mennonite University Winter Semester, 2015-2016 Voluntary Withdrawal Date Mar 18, 2016 Instructor: Dan Epp-Tiessen Ph.D University
More information7 After the LORD had said these things to Job, he said to Eliphaz the Temanite, I am
January 11, 2015 Charles Yu Series: Wrecked: When Life Falls Apart Sermon: What did I do to deserve this? Scripture: Job 3-27 Main Idea: Suffering does not mean guilt; rather, it can serve divine purposes.
More informationIntroduction. How about you? It s Time to Grow
Introduction How about you? Rather than assume that the reader is already a Christian, we would rather to be sure. If you have not yet received Christ as your Savior, and would like to, here is how you
More informationTeaching the Bible in the Church: Job, Proverbs, and Ecclesiastes CE 3083 / OT 3053 Fall 2014 Instructors, David C. Hester and Anne W.
Teaching the Bible in the Church: Job, Proverbs, and Ecclesiastes CE 3083 / OT 3053 Fall 2014 Instructors, David C. Hester and Anne W. Stewart This is an interdisciplinary course concerned with the practice
More informationThe Georgetown Presbyterian Church John 19:38-42 August 20, 2017
Rachel Landers Vaagenes Nicodemus Buys 100 Pounds of Myrrh The Georgetown Presbyterian Church John 19:38-42 August 20, 2017 I had originally left off the verses describing The Jews in negative terms, but
More informationThe Assurance of God's Faithfulness
The Assurance of God's Faithfulness by Kel Good A central doctrine held by many of us who subscribe to "moral government," which comes under much criticism, is the idea that God is voluntarily good. This
More informationAfter Eden Chapter 2 Science Falsely So Called By Greg Neyman Answers In Creation First Published 11 August 2005 Answers In Creation Website www.answersincreation.org/after_eden_2.htm When I read the title
More informationIntro So, for an intro, lets go back even a little further to remind ourselves about today And what is coming very soon for Jesus
Do Not Fall Away John 16:1-15 1 I have said all these things to you to keep you from falling away. 2 They will put you out of the synagogues. Indeed, the hour is coming when whoever kills you will think
More informationPrayer A Look At Psalm 26 February 27, 2011
Prayer A Look At Psalm 26 February 27, 2011 I. Review of Previous Teaching on Prayer A. Prayer Quotes 1. We must alter our lives in order to alter our hearts, for it is impossible to live one way and pray
More informationHUMPTY DUMPTY Romans 5:12-21 Bob Bonner November 4, 2018
HUMPTY DUMPTY Romans 5:12-21 Bob Bonner November 4, 2018 Humpty Dumpty sat on a wall; Humpty Dumpty had a great fall! All the king s horses And all the king s men Couldn t put Humpty together again. For
More informationIn Search of the Ontological Argument. Richard Oxenberg
1 In Search of the Ontological Argument Richard Oxenberg Abstract We can attend to the logic of Anselm's ontological argument, and amuse ourselves for a few hours unraveling its convoluted word-play, or
More informationTransitional comments or questions now open each chapter, creating greater coherence within the book as a whole.
preface The first edition of Anatomy of the New Testament was published in 1969. Forty-four years later its authors are both amazed and gratified that this book has served as a useful introduction to the
More informationPrayer and Temptation: God s Providence (Mat. 6.13) Westminsterreformedchurch.org. Pastor Ostella Introduction
Prayer and Temptation: God s Providence (Mat. 6.13) Westminsterreformedchurch.org Pastor Ostella 10-24-2004 Introduction We will have three messages on the sixth petition (Mat. 6.13): 1) Prayer and Temptation:
More informationWhy Do the Righteous Worship?
Why Do the Righteous Worship? The Argument of the Book of Job with Special Reference to Job 42:6 By Myron C. Kauk Presented at the Midwest Regional Meeting of the Evangelical Theological Society Winona
More informationPART ONE. Preparing For Battle
PART ONE Preparing For Battle 1 KNOW YOUR ENEMY Be sober, be watchful! For your adversary the Devil, as a roaring lion, goes about seeking someone to devour. Resist him, steadfast in the faith... 1 Peter
More informationAM I TRULY FOLLOWING JESUS? Bible Study
AM I TRULY FOLLOWING JESUS? Bible Study Am I Truly Following Jesus? Self-Evaluation This is a follow-up Bible study for the guided self-evaluation, Am I Truly Following Jesus? which is included on pages
More informationINTRODUCTION TO JOB
INTRODUCTION TO JOB I. 1:1 -- There was a man in the land of Uz, whose name was Job; and that man was perfect and upright, and one that feared God, and eschewed evil. 42:17 -- So Job died being old and
More informationThe Old Testament in Order
IV.UNIT 4: KEEPING UP WITH THE JOBSES A. Looking Back: The Old Testament in Order Ruth 1 Chronicles 2 Chronicles Esther Ezra Nehemiah Obadiah Joel Haggai Zechariah Malachi Jonah Amos Hosea *Isaiah Micah
More informationKevin Liu 21W.747 Prof. Aden Evens A1D. Truth and Rhetorical Effectiveness
Kevin Liu 21W.747 Prof. Aden Evens A1D Truth and Rhetorical Effectiveness A speaker has two fundamental objectives. The first is to get an intended message across to an audience. Using the art of rhetoric,
More informationknow. In , Elihu had emphasized his own sincerity to encourage a hearing; but here, in what is right (v. 4).
Elihu to Job Pt2: God s Righteousness Defended from the Complaint of Injustice (34.1-37) WestminsterReformedChurch.org Pastor Ostella April 20, 2014 34.1 Then Elihu answered and said: 2 "Hear my words,
More informationEthics. PHIL 181 Spring 2018 SUMMARY OBJECTIVES
Ethics PHIL 181 Spring 2018 Instructor: Dr. Stefano Giacchetti M/W 5.00-6.15 Office hours M/W 2-3 (by appointment) E-Mail: sgiacch@luc.edu SUMMARY Short Description: This course will investigate some of
More informationOn Searle on Human Rights, Again! J. Angelo Corlett, San Diego State University
On Searle on Human Rights, Again! J. Angelo Corlett, San Diego State University With regard to my article Searle on Human Rights (Corlett 2016), I have been accused of misunderstanding John Searle s conception
More informationOn Passing the Test. The Mark of a Christian. 2 Corinthians 12:14 13:10. And I will most gladly spend and be expended for your souls... (12:15).
The Mark of a Christian 2 Corinthians 12:14 13:10 On Passing the Test And I will most gladly spend and be expended for your souls.... (12:15). In our culture, one of the major symbols of achievement is
More informationTHE ONLY WAY TO RIGHTEOUSNESS (RELINQUISH YOUR SWORD) PASTOR MARC D. WILSON, ST. PATRICK S CHURCH, LAS CRUCES, NM
Romans 10:1-21 (Luke 18:9-17) Almighty God, you alone can order the unruly wills and passions of sinful men: grant that your people may love what you command and desire what you promise so that among the
More informationGrace to You :: esp Unleashing God's Truth, One Verse at a Time. Job Scripture: Job Code: MSB18. Title
Grace to You :: esp Unleashing God's Truth, One Verse at a Time Job Scripture: Job Code: MSB18 Title As with other books of the Bible, Job bears the name of the narrative s primary character. This name
More informationbad news of the Gospel
The Christian Life: A Doctrinal Introduction Chapter 2: God s Broken Image I. What is sin? II. III. The Effects of Sin A. The image of God defaced B. Man under the dominion of sin and death C. Man guilty
More informationTHE POSSIBILITY OF AN ALL-KNOWING GOD
THE POSSIBILITY OF AN ALL-KNOWING GOD The Possibility of an All-Knowing God Jonathan L. Kvanvig Assistant Professor of Philosophy Texas A & M University Palgrave Macmillan Jonathan L. Kvanvig, 1986 Softcover
More informationValley Bible Church Sermon Transcript
Who is to Blame? James 1:13-18 Part Three We have been considering various tests of living faith. The very first test that we have considered in this epistle is the RESPONSE TO TRIALS TEST in VV. 2-12.
More informationMy Life as a Romance Reader - From Devotee to Skeptic?
My Life as a Romance Reader - From Devotee to Skeptic? 1. Introduction When the students of the seminar The Seduction of Romance - From Pamela to Twilight were asked to write a final paper, it was possible
More information56 Islam & Science Vol. 6 (Summer 2008) No. 1
BOOK REVIEWS Thomas E. Burman: Reading the QurāĀn in Latin Christendom, 1140 1560 Philadelphia: University of Pennsylvania Press 2007, vi+317 pp. HC, ISBN 978-0-8122-4018-9 Forty-seven years after the
More informationNT513: The Book of Mark in Depth
NT513: The Book of Mark in Depth Professor: Mateus de Campos Email: mdecampos@gordonconwell.edu Summer 2018 May 34-27 1. Course Description This course follows a sequential exegetical assessment of the
More informationHow to Teach The Writings of the New Testament, 3 rd Edition Luke Timothy Johnson
How to Teach The Writings of the New Testament, 3 rd Edition Luke Timothy Johnson As every experienced instructor understands, textbooks can be used in a variety of ways for effective teaching. In this
More informationThis Message Don t Take Away My Hopes
Series Job This Message Don t Take Away My Hopes Scripture Job chapters 32-37 Since we are so near the end of the book, we might think that the writer of the story has covered all the theological and practical
More information22 SeSSion LifeWay
22 SeSSion 2 The Point God s love empowers me to love. The Bible Meets Life For many people, love means whatever they want it to mean. They can express a deep and profound love for someone or something,
More informationUnifying the Categorical Imperative* Marcus Arvan University of Tampa
Unifying the Categorical Imperative* Marcus Arvan University of Tampa [T]he concept of freedom constitutes the keystone of the whole structure of a system of pure reason [and] this idea reveals itself
More informationGod, Natural Evil and the Best Possible World
God, Natural Evil and the Best Possible World Peter Vardy The debate about whether or not this is the Best Possible World (BPW) is usually centred on the question of evil - in other words how can this
More information4 Liberty, Rationality, and Agency in Hobbes s Leviathan
1 Introduction Thomas Hobbes, at first glance, provides a coherent and easily identifiable concept of liberty. He seems to argue that agents are free to the extent that they are unimpeded in their actions
More informationTABLE OF CONTENTS CHAPTER ONE A PROPOSAL... 1
TABLE OF CONTENTS ABBREVIATIONS............................ XIII ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS........................ XV CHAPTER ONE A PROPOSAL............................ 1 Introduction.............................
More informationThe Abrahamic Religions:
The Abrahamic Religions: An Introduction to World Religions Judaism: Beliefs Session Week 5 Abba Hailegebriel Girma Aim and Learning Outcomes Week 5 Session Aims This session aims to discuss the Belief
More information