Biblical Theology

Abstract

Biblical Theology Christopher T. Begg and Thomas Hieke ________ 824. [Paul] Bryan Blazosky, The Law’s Universal Condemning and Enslaving Power. Reading Paul, the Old Testament, and Second Temple Jewish Literature (BBRSup 24; University Park, PA: Eisenbrauns, 2019). Pp. xiv + 227. $74.95. ISBN 978-1-57506-979-1. My first and second chapters are a biblical theological study of the OT presentation of the plight of the nations and their relationship to the Mosaic law. Selections from the Torah, Prophets, and Writings are examined in regard to why the nations experience God’s wrath and how the Mosaic law relates to these nations. The third chapter surveys the diverse body of Second Temple Jewish literature in regard to the same issues. Since it is fairly common within Second Temple Judaism to view some or all of the nations as subject to God’s wrath, I examine the reasons given in these writings for why the nations deserve judgment. What is the basis for their condemnation, and specifically, are nations held accountable for breaking the law of Moses? . . . The fourth through sixth chapters are the heart of this monograph. As with any Paul and the law monograph, Romans and Galatians form the backbone of this study. The fourth chapter is, thus, an analysis and synthesis of Galatians on Paul’s view of the human plight, especially with reference to the Mosaic law. The fifth chapter, on Romans, mirrors the chapter on Galatians. In the sixth chapter, five related passages, i.e. 1 Cor 9:19–23; 15:56; Eph 2:13–15; Col 2:8–23; and 1 Tim 1:8–10 are examined and compared with the findings from Galatians and Romans. . . . In my final chapter, my conclusions are drawn together from the Pauline section about what Paul’s view about the question at issue was as well as the logic that holds his view together. Next, I compare Paul’s view with my findings from the OT and Second [End Page 265] Temple Jewish literature. Furthermore, I discuss how my proposal fits within current scholarship. Finally, my work concludes with reflections on the relevance of this study of Gentiles and the Mosaic law for biblical theology, Pauline studies, and the church [pp. 11–12, adapted] Through a comparison of the above texts, B. finds that Paul—in line with the OT and other Second Temple Jewish texts—interprets the Mosaic law as having the power to universally condemn. Despite being gifted to Israel, the law’s ability to curse, condemn, and enslave reaches beyond the covenantal boundaries of Israel. [Adapted from published abstract—C.T.B.]. 825. [OT Theology] Konrad Schmid, Theologie des Alten Testaments (Neue Theologische Grundrisse; Tübingen: Mohr Siebeck, 2019). Pp. xviii + 415. Paper €39. ISBN 978-3-160150763-2. S.’s “Old Testament Theology” follows a decidedly historical approach in its seven chapters: (1) Introduction: the relationship between “Old Testament” and “theology”; (2) Reflections on the term “theology” from Plato via Philo, the Church Fathers, and the Reformation to the twentieth century, including Jewish theology; (3) Relevance and relativity of the canon (“Old Testament” vs. “Hebrew Bible” vs. “Tanakh”); (4) Methodology, especially what a theology of the Old Testament does not address; (5) Canonical hermeneutics of existing “Hebrew Bibles” and “Old Testaments” (different selections and arrangements of books and parts); (6) Theologies of the three parts of the Hebrew Bible: Torah, Nevi’im, Ketuvim; (7) A history of theology vis-à-vis the history of the Old Testament literature (from the late eighth cent. to the era of the Maccabees); (8) Topics of Old Testament Theology (literary genres, ideas about God and God’s name, creation, divine interventions in history, political theology, law and order, cult and sacrifices, state and people, kingdom and theocracy, Zion and Sinai, anthropology, pluralism of theologies vs. “center” of the OT); (9) Jewish theology of the Tanakh (Talmud, halakhah) vs. Christian theology of the OT (reception in the NT, the two-part Christian Bible). The book comes with an index of references and Hebrew and Greek words as well as with a very detailed index of subjects and topics.—T.H. Christopher T. Begg Catholic University...