 |
|
     |
|
|
|
Michael Williams of Covenant Seminary provides a serviceable introduction to a covenantal/biblical-theological reading of the Bible in his recent book from P&R, entitled Far As The Curse Is Found. Williams's interpretations are judicious and one of his fundamental themes is that salvation restores rather than cancels creation, a theme that we can hardly hear often enough. The simplicity of the writing and argument is deceptive. If this isn't an earth-shattering book (and it's not), there is a lot of serious thought here.
Along the way, he offers a careful discussion of the nature of the Adamic covenant, manifests a high view of the law and its continuing relevance to the church, and describes the conflict within the early church in these NPP-friendly terms: "During the postexilic era, elements within Israel became very legalistic in their observance of the Mosaic law. For some groups such as the New Testament-era Pharisees, law keeping took on redemptive significance as conformity to the law becamse the mark of belonging to the people of God. One proved his election by carefully observing the Mosaic law, especially its Sabbath instructions and its regulations concerning ritual cleanliness. When Jews became believers in Jesus Christ, they often retained these notions about the centrality of the law. And when Gentiles became believers, in some cases Jewish Christians would seek to require them to observe Jewish traditions."
posted by Peter J. Leithart on Monday, November 07, 2005 at 10:57 PM
Permission is given to use material on this site, provided the source is cited, blog entries are republished in full, and the author is notified in advance.
1 & 2 Kings
Brazos Theological Commentary
The Promise Of His Appearing: An Exposition Of Second Peter
A Great Mystery: Fourteen Wedding Sermons
Deep Comedy: Trinity, Tragedy, And Hope In Western Literature
Miniatures & Morals: The Christian Novels of Jane Austen
The Priesthood of the Plebs: A Theology of Baptism
A Son To Me: An Exposition of 1 & 2 Samuel
From Silence to Song: The Davidic Liturgical Revolution
Ascent to Love: A Guide to Dante's Divine Comedy
Blessed Are the Hungry: Meditations on the Lord's Supper
A House For My Name: A Survey of the Old Testament
Heroes of the City of Man: A Christian Guide to Select Ancient Literature
Brightest Heaven of Invention: A Christian Guide To Six Shakespeare Plays
Wise Words: Family Stories That Bring the Proverbs to Life
The Kingdom and the Power: Rediscovering the Centrality of the Church
