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Christians today are focused on two important creation topics: how the world came to be and how we should care for it. A highly respected Old Testament theologian recommends that before discussing these questions, we focus on God the Creator and God's ongoing work in creation. We should explore what the Bible tells us and let the text set the agenda for our reflections. Combining his storytelling gift with rigorous biblical exegesis and deep reflection, Ben Ollenburger describes the action of God the Creator as presented throughout the Old Testament. He shows how creation is about more than origins. It is about God acting against the hostile forces of chaos that can be historical, political, and military. About how God created a well-ordered world, and how human transgression ruptures God's relationship with humans and threatens creation. About how God responds as Creator to those threats by disturbing and reordering the disorder, bringing about what God intended--a world ordered in the social, political, and natural realms that is characterized by the justice, righteousness, and peace required for human flourishing.
In this extensively revised and updated edition of The Flowering of Old Testament Theology, Professor Ollenburger provides help for beginning theological students, who are frequently overwhelmed by the proliferation of volumes dealing with Old Testament theology, to say nothing of the variety of approaches used in these works. This textbook has been re-issued with a new title, Old Testament Theology: Flowering and Future. Selected essays include key theological statements of Otto Eissfeldt, Walther Eichrodt, Theodorus C. Vriezen, George E. Wright, Gerhard von Rad, Walther Zimmerli, John L. McKenzie, Ronald E. Clements, Walter C. Kaiser Jr., Samuel L. Terrien, Claus Westermann, Brevard S. Childs, Rolf Knierim, Horst D. Preuss, Walter Brueggemann, Paul R. House, Bernhard W. Anderson, Erhard S. Gerstenberger, Hartmut Gese, Phyllis Trible, Jon D. Levenson, John H. Sailhamer, Gunther H. Wittenberg, James Barr, R.W.L. Moberly, and Mark G. Brett. An appendix contains Johann P. Gabler's 1787 seminal essay on biblical theology. An extensive bibliography and indexes of authorities and Scripture references conclude the volume. - Publisher.
A collection of essays honoring the biblical scholar Ben C. Ollenburger on the topic of the Bible and creation, the subject of much of Ollenburger's scholarly career.
Fundamental to Christian faith is the assumption that the Bible presents a true and reliable portrait of God and God's will for the world. Yet thoughtful believers and nonbelievers alike continue to inquire into the nature and veracity of Scripture, with the result that the Bible is viewed today as everything from infallible to mythological. This significant book tackles the central question of what Christianity means when it claims that the Bible is true. Written by nine Christian scholars from the disciplines of theology, biblical studies, and philosophy, these penetrating chapters reject stale, simplistic answers in favor of fresh, invigorating perspectives that leave ample room for dialogue. In addition, several contributors helpfully move the discussion from reflection to practical application, explaining the role of biblical truth in preaching and theological education. Contributors: David Bartlett Ellen T. Charry Stephen T. Davis Patrick R. Keifert Ben C. Ollenburger Dennis T. Olson Alan G. Padgett Mark I. Wallace Nicholas Wolterstorff
Repurposed content from the 12 volume NIB, to serve as introductory academic textbooks
In this powerful book, Walter Brueggemann moves the discussion of Old Testament theology beyond the dominant models of previous generations. Brueggemann focuses on the metaphor and imagery of the courtroom trial in order to regard the theological substance of the Old Testament as a series of claims asserted for Yahweh, the God of Israel. This provides a context that attends to pluralism in every dimension of the interpretive process and suggests links to the plurality of voices of our time.
Modern linguistics is a relative newcomer in the scientific world, and text-linguistics, or discourse analysis, is one of its youngest disciplines. This fact has inclined many toward scepticism of its value for the Hebraist, yet much benefit is thereby overlooked. In this work, the author examines recent contributions to Hebrew text-linguistics by Niccacci, Andersen, Eskhult, Khan, and Longacre, evaluating them against a twofold standard of theoretical and methodological integrity, and clarity of communication. An extensive introduction to one particularly promising model of text analysis (from Longacre's tagmemic school) is given, and a step-by-step methodology is presented. Analyses according to this model and methodology are given of seven extended text samples, each building on the findings of the previous analyses: Judg. 2; Lev. 14.1-32; Lev. 6.1-7.37; parallel instructions and historical reports about the building of the Tabernacle, from Exodus 25-40; Judg. 10.6-12.7; and the book of Ruth in its entirety. Considerable attention is given to the question of text-linguistics and reported speech.
As an Anabaptist, John Howard Yoder is often depicted as Christ-centered in his theology but with a creation-deficient approach to culture. In this clearly reasoned study, Branson Parler argues that Yoder advocates a trinitarian theology of culture that upholds the continuity between God’s work in creation and in redemption. For Yoder, Jesus’ humanity makes him directly relevant to culture while Jesus’ divinity connects him directly to creation. Yoder’s writings, says Parler, affirm that Jesus restores and re-establishes the politics of creation. In Things Hold Together, Parler joins a growing number of writers from outside Anabaptist or Mennonite traditions who are finding resonance...
Struggles for Shalom is a collection of essays by biblical scholars about peace, justice, and violence in ancient Jewish and Christian texts, written to honor the life work of Mennonite scholars Perry B. Yoder and Willard M. Swartley. In this volume, twenty-three authors--colleagues, former students, friends, and others influenced by Yoder's and Swartley's scholarship--add to the honorees' work in appreciation for their shared focus on biblical texts' lessons of peace. Specific texts and topics include Eccl 3:1-9 and time for war, Ezek 14:12-23 and God's retribution, Luke 22:31-61 and Peter's sword, the temple cleansing episodes in John 2 and Mark 11, sectarianism and violence in manuscripts...
This learned volume offers a close reading of chapters 3 to 6 of the book of Amos, and attempts to locate biblical study and theological reflection within the complex cultural context of Latin America. The author prefaces his study with a wide-ranging survey of the continuing debate over the proper use of the Bible as a model for the structures of society. The author's particular focus is Latin America, and through sociological and textual analysis, he seeks to define the role of the prophetic biblical voice in this society and presses for a recognition of moral complexities and a constant questioning and self-evaluation from those who would claim to speak for God in society.