St. Paul’s Conception of the Priesthood of Melchisedech: An Historico-Exegetical Investigation by Gerald Thomas Kennedy, O.M.I. (review)

Abstract

62 Book Reviews "Else what shall they do who receive Baptism for the dead? If the dead do not rise at all, why do people receive Baptism for them ?” In other words, Paul’s passage would be elliptical: if there were no resur­ rection, then Baptism could mean nothing else but being baptized for the sake of belonging to the dead. Why receive such a Baptism ? Anyhow, Father Foschini would still have shown us the correct meaning in Paul’s passage. D o m in ic U n g e r , O. F. M. Cap. Washington, D. C. St. Paul’s Conception of the Priesthood of Melchisedech: An HistoricoExegetical Investigation. B y Gerald Thomas Kennedy, O. M. I. (Washington, D. C. The Catholic University of America Press, 1951. Pp. v + 153.) This dissertation for the doctorate in theology is a detailed exegetical study of the three Biblical passages in which there is mention of Melchisedech ’s priesthood: Gen. 14: 18-20; Ps. 109:4; Hebr. 7. Throughout his dissertation the author applies the principle voiced in his conclusion: "It is a primary principle of sound exegesis that scriptural texts must be inter­ preted not only in their proximate and remote context, but also in relation to associated passages in other parts of Holy W rit.” He is quite aware too, of the importance of tradition when there is question of a dogmatic content. In keeping with these principles, Father Kennedy has analyzed the texts in their historic setting and in their logical and theological contexts. The result is a dissertation in every respect scientific. The author upholds the historicity of the account of Melchisedech in Genesis, and affirms that Melchisedech offered a sacrifice, even though Gen. 14: 18 does not say so expressly. “ Brought forth” in the context and as explained by tradition means that a sacrifice of bread and wine was made. Melchisedech “ brought forth” the bread and wine primarily for the purpose of offering sacrifice, and only secondarily for refreshing Abraham and his weary warriors. In discussing the typological similarity between Christ’s and Melchisedech’s priesthood in ch. 7 of Hebrews, St. Paul omitted mention of his sacrifice, not because it never existed, but because he wished to adhere to the single theme of his letter, the Sacrifice of the Cross. In places, quotations from modern authors seem to have the appearance of "padding;” sometimes there is even a heaping up of such quotations, e. g., on such a well-established point as the typical sense. Father Kennedy’s dissertation should be most welcome in every theo­ logical seminary as well as in the study of specialists of Scripture and theology. D o m in ic U n g e r , O .F.M .Cap. Washington, D. C. ...