Theodicy and the Cross of Christ: A New Testament Inquiry

Abstract

This volume examines the death of Jesus as a source of NT theodicy thinking (1) by exploring its multivalent relevance and (2) by supplementing what is lacking in biblical exegetical scholarship on the topic. In ch. 1 (pp. 1–16), Holmén introduces his exegetical approach, reviews the modern philosophic-theological research, and surveys the central interpretation of the death of Jesus in the NT. He categorizes the various themes relating to the death of the Jesus in three divisions—“Soteriology,” “Identification,” and “Social Function” (pp. 13–15).The core content of the book focuses on the theodicean concepts prior to the cross in order to lay a foundation to bring to light the thinking of the early followers of Jesus, particularly the theological conflict that they wrestled with in relation to Christ’s suffering. In ch. 2 (pp. 17–55), Holmén investigates Greco-Roman and OT Jewish concepts concerning theodicy, establishing a repertoire of motives. More specifically, in the OT, theodicean ideas are viewed through the covenant, revealing a providential God who changes human beings so that they follow his will, resulting in blessing rather than suffering.In ch. 3 (pp. 57–80), Holmén analyzes the level of theological crisis that the early believers had. He finds that a novel hermeneutic of the cross emerges as a solution to the incongruence between Christ’s crucifixion and his vindication (in essence, “vindication” leads to the theodicy problem; p. 79). In ch. 4 (pp. 81–127), the Jewish theodicean leitmotif of the covenant (from ch. 2) is analyzed in relation to an understanding of the theodicy of the cross (from ch. 3). Holmén deduces that (1) the NT teaches that those with whom God sides suffer innocently; (2) after the cross, doing God’s will does not serve a theodicean purpose—especially in light of Paul’s theology where believers obey instinctively and become part of God’s saving act through Christ; and (3) the NT authors uphold the continuance of the theodicy of the covenant.In ch. 5 (pp. 129–59), specific conclusions are offered in response to six practical approaches to the death of Jesus with respect to coping with suffering. Temporary suffering is understood within the context of an eschatological perspective. Holmén emphasizes that the NT authors proclaim that Christ died for the sinfulness of humankind and not to save the world from distress—as some modern thinkers hold.For the most part, the author makes valuable contributions to the NT perspective on theodicy. For example, based on primary-source material, Holmén draws attention to the silence with reference to the curse in Deut 21:22–23 (“anyone hung under a tree is under God’s curse). He demonstrates the lack of positive interpretation of crucifixion accounts and brings awareness concerning the Jewish perspective that God did not vindicate crucified people (p. 69). Thus, the followers of Jesus Christ were “deeply engaged in the theodicean problem!” (p. 79). The main focus of Holmén’s theological considerations seem to focus on Paul’s understanding, particularly from Romans, leading to a somewhat vague discussion of election, where all are included on an “equal basis, according to the election of grace” (p. 165). But this is the difficulty in addressing the whole NT, narrowing the discussion to the most relevant passages. Tom Holmén writes descriptively with clarity without pressing his conclusions, acknowledging that the theodicy of the cross is discernible sometimes only by combining a number of discrete elements. His assessment is honest, challenging, and worth reading.