Focusing on the humanity of Jesus, the narrative presents Him as a powerful figure with a strong mission and deep compassion for marginalized individuals. Unique among the Gospels, it includes distinctive parables and offers a different account of Jesus's birth compared to Matthew. Luke's conclusion emphasizes Jesus's ascension rather than His death or resurrection. The Gospel combines historical and theological perspectives, illustrating how God engages with humanity through Jesus, reflecting the doctrine of incarnation.
This collection of twenty essays by Joseph Blenkinsopp on different aspects of the book of Isaiah is the product of three decades of close study of the most seminal and challenging texts of the Hebrew Bible. Five of the twenty are published here for the first time. Some deal with major themes in Isaiah, for example, universalism, the Hebrew God as creator in dialogue with Babylonian and Zoroastrian theologies of creation, theology and politics, and the Suffering Servant of the Lord God, which is of such great influence on the presentation of the life and death of Jesus in the New Testament. Others consist in close readings of specific texts in the book Aufsätze zum Buch Jesaja.
Joseph Blenkinsopp presents an intertextual reading of Isaiah and the Psalms furthering his previous well-known work on the text of Isaiah. Blenkinsopp argues that, read together, these two biblical books can be shown to form a single religious vision, a way of experiencing and articulating a commitment to the fundamentals of the faith of Israel, with its own distinctive character. Blenkinsopp shows how the emphasis in Isaiah and the Psalms is on affect and emotion, the expression of joy and sorrow articulated in music, singing, and dancing; in praise, thanksgiving and lament. This represents a key difference from other parts of the Hebrew Bible where the focus is more on the Law and on the covenant at Sinai – in Isaiah and the Psalms these terms rarely occur, the focus is instead on Zion and on the Temple. Blenkinsopp shows how the temple singers, with their close connections with the circles which transmitted and eventually committed to writing the Book of Isaiah, demonstrate that the divine word is not incompatible with other forms of religious experience and expression, affective and even mystical, articulated and embodied in the performance of music, song, ritual prayer, and dance. The beauty of the Psalms is echoed strongly in Isaiah, and the Isaian vision of a Creator God, Lord of nature and history beyond the bounds of Israel, is joyfully proclaimed by the psalmists.
This study contributes to the new approach to the problem of the authority of the Bible and religious authority in general known as canon criticism, and will at the same time promote better understanding and cooperation between Christian and Jewish biblical scholars. The author considers the Hebrew canon, and especially the juxtaposition of law and prophecy within it, not as a component of Christian canon, as is usually done, but as a historical and theological problem focusing on the issue of religious and sociological implications of the claims that underlie the formation of the tripartite canon, particularly the claims staked by the authority of the Bible and how this bears on the self-understanding of Judaism--and Christianity. Joseph Blekinsopp has traveled and studied extensively in the Middle East and Europe. Among his many books are A Sketchbook of Biblical Theology, Sexuality and the Christian tradition, Gibeon and Israel, and Scripture Discussion Commentary: Pentateuch. He is presently professor of theology at the University of Notre Dame. Prophecy and Canon is the third publication based on research sponsored by the University of Notre Dame Center for the Study of Judaism and Christianity in Antiquity.
Focusing on a pivotal historical period, the essays explore the transition from the Judean state's collapse to Alexander the Great's conquests. This era saw the decline of Semitic empires and significant religious transformations, including the rise of new deities and sects amidst the fallout from the Babylonian conquest. As various groups sought to maintain their traditions in a post-collapse society, the temple emerged as a crucial symbol of identity in the face of powerful empires like Babylon and Persia.
Focusing on the books of Ezra and Nehemiah, this volume offers an authoritative examination within the Old Testament Library series. It features insights from internationally recognized scholars, providing fresh perspectives on significant themes and issues in Old Testament study. The work includes detailed commentaries and surveys, making it a valuable resource for both academic and personal exploration of these biblical texts.
Focusing on the narrative of Abraham in Genesis 11-25, Joseph Blenkinsopp provides a discursive commentary that highlights the literary and theological depth of the story. He addresses key themes such as God's promises, Isaac's sacrifice, and the significance of Ishmael. Each chapter includes a "Filling in the Gaps" section that examines historical interpretations from Jewish, Christian, and Islamic perspectives. The epilogue presents Blenkinsopp's reflections on Abraham's role in early Christianity, offering readers a profound understanding of this pivotal figure.
Examines the David theme in the collective mind of ancient Israel and the early church In this follow-up study to Judaism, The First Phase, Joseph Blenkinsopp traces the development of traditions about David in the collective memory of the people of Israel and the first Christians, from the extinction of the Davidic dynasty in the sixth century B.C.E. to the early common era. David Remembered is neither a biography of David nor an exegetical study of the biblical narrative about David. Rather, it focuses on the memory of David as a powerful factor in the formation of social identity, in political activity (especially in reaction to imperial rule), and in projections of the future viewed as the restoration of a never-forgotten past.
Focusing on the religious history of the Second Temple period, this commentary offers a unique perspective shaped by historical insights and critical analysis. It includes the author's own translation of the biblical text, alongside critical notes and commentary. Influenced by earlier scholarly work, the author challenges conventional views of Judaism's historical trajectory, emphasizing the complexities of its legacy in relation to the emergence of the gospel and the church.
The exploration of Ezekiel delves into its complex structure and the unique forms of speech employed throughout the prophetic text. The introduction provides insights into the challenges of interpreting prophetic literature and outlines the compilation of Ezekiel. Additionally, it examines the author's background and the context in which the messages were delivered, offering a comprehensive understanding of this significant biblical work.
