The T & T Clark Blog

[Authors Circle] Mason on 'Eternal Covenant' in the Pentateuch LHBOTS

Here's our latest author post from Steven D. Mason, author of the LHBOTS “‘Eternal Covenant’ in the Pentateuch: The Contours of an Elusive Phrase”. He is currently Assistant Professor of Biblical Studies at LeTourneau University, Texas.

“‘Eternal Covenant’ in the Pentateuch: The Contours of an Elusive Phrase” arose from my own questions about biblical covenants, covenant theology, and how to do biblical theology in general. The study itself does not attempt to say anything comprehensive with regard to any of the three, but it is some preliminary exegetical work on what I consider to be an important phrase that bears on such discussions. I do believe that what I learned in the process of examining berit olam in its Pentateuchal context will prove foundational for my continued exploration into the phrase elsewhere, not to mention my interest in working out Christian and theological readings of the Old Testament.

Cardinal Avery Dulles (1918-2008), Requiescat In Pacem

It is with great sadness that we have learned of the death of Cardinal Avery Dulles on December 12th aged 90.

Cardinal Dulles was one of the greatest thinkers in the modern Roman Catholic Church and probably its most prestigious representative in The United States of America.

Although a collection of his essays was published earlier this year, Continuum is extremely proud to have published the last book that he sat down and wrote as a book - this is his masterly short study of the life and work of Cardinal John Henry Newman.

This will be reissued early in 2009 with a new introduction by Newman`s biographer Ian Ker. It was Dulles`s express wish that Fr Ker should introduce this new edition.

To say that Dulles was an unusual recipient of a Cardinal`s hat  would be something of an understatement. The son of John Foster Dulles, Eisenhower`s Secretary of State, he was received into the Roman Catholic Church while at Harvard Law School.

Dulles was an aristocrat of that old Protestant New England variety - tall and puritanically thin. His family were outraged by his conversion. They gathered round to complain that the best and the brightest of the family`s next generation seemed determined to throw his promising life away. But as a friend commented later ` Of course they were right. He did throw that life away. He threw it away for God`.

Central to his later years was the interpretation of The Second Vatican Council, and this was his lasting influence. He explained the liberalism of The Second Vatican Council to an older generation and the conservatism of the Council to a new generation.

I only met him once but what struck me most apart from his monumental intelligence were his impeccable manners and his courtesy. These are qualities I will most certainly miss.

Robin Baird-Smith
Publishing Director

Call for Papers: Genesis and Christian Theology

We are pleased to announce a conference on behalf of the University of St Andrews (Scotland):

14-18 July 2009 St Mary’s College,
University of St Andrews

The University of St Andrews is pleased to announce its third conference on Scripture and Christian Theology. Since the first conference on the Gospel of John in 2003, the St Andrews conferences have been recognized as one of the most important occasions when biblical scholars and systematic theologians are brought together in conversation about a biblical text. The conferences aim to cut through the megaphone diplomacy or the sheer incomprehension that so often marks attempts to communicate across our disciplines.

We invite you then to join us and some of the best theological and biblical minds in careful and often lively interaction about one of the most theologically generative of biblical books: the book of Genesis. We are now calling for papers that integrate close readings of Genesis with Christian theology. While we are particularly interested in explorations of the dynamic relationship between Genesis and Christian doctrine, we also welcome proposals that combine careful reading of the text of Genesis with theological attention to art, creativity, ecology, ethics, the history of interpretation, or Jewish and Christian dialogue. The call for paper proposals closes on 15 March 2009. Please visit our website for further details or to submit a proposal:

Visit the website for further information or to submit a proposal.

Karl Barth, Forty Years Later.

Today, we remember the fortieth anniversary of Karl Barth's death.

I.

The TASK OF DOGMATICS

    As a theological discipline dogmatics is the scientific self-examination of the Christian Church with respect to the content of its distinct talk about God.

I. THE CHURCH, THEOLOGY, SCIENCE

    Dogmatics is a theological discipline. But theology is a function of the Church.
   
    The Church confesses God as it talks about God. It does so first by its existence in the action of each individual believer. And it does so secondly by its specific action as a fellowship, in proclamation by preaching and the administration of the sacraments, in worship, in its internal and external mission including works of love amongst the sick, the weak and those in jeopardy. Fortunately the reality of the Church does not coincide with its action. But its action coincides with the fact that alike in its existence in believers and its communal existence as such it speaks about God. Its action is "theology" in both the broader and the narrower sense.

- Church Dogmatics I.1, p. 3

It's hard to believe that it has been forty years since this theological juggernaut, the man who dropped the bombshell on the theological playground, passed away. He is one of the great legends of not only twentieth century theology, but Western theology, itself, offering a new rethinking of theology and God's lovingkindness in and for the world. His words about the Word baffle, strengthen, enlighten and challenge us all.

Let us play a little Mozart for him, tonight, in his honor and memory...

William C. Placher (1948-2008), Requiescat in Pacem.

Having received the news from our colleagues at Westminster John Knox, with great sadness, we must inform you of the passing of William C. Placher, LaFollette Distinguished Professor in the Humanities at Wabash College, on November 30, 2008.

A remembrance service was held on December 6 at Wabash College to honor this great scholar, teacher, and friend.

William C. Placher, with Ronald F. Thiemann, edited Why Are We Here?: Everyday Questions and the Christian Life for Trinity Press International in 1998.

A one-of-a-kind book in which several outstanding theologians use their expertise to examine everyday questions that Christians ask. Christians do not just believe; they think about what they believe. Moreover, they are not content with simple answers to their questions about life and meaning. The contributors to this volume therefore provide thoughtful responses to the following questions: Why are we here? Why are we so indifferent about our spiritual lives? Why do the innocent suffer? Is Jesus Christ the only way to salvation? Are there angels? Why go to church? The unity of the church--why care? What shall parents teach their children? What does my faith have to do with my job? Must Christians believe in hell? Is there life after death? The eleven contributors to this volume--which include, in addition to the editors--Kathryn Tanner, David Dawson, Thomas F. Tracy, J.A. DiNoia, Bruce D. Marshall, James J. Buckley, Michael Root, William Werpehowski, and George Hunsinger) are friends who attended the same graduate school (Yale) and had many of the same teachers. For twenty years they have been meeting once a year to talk about their work, their lives, and their thinking about the Christian faith. In this book they share with fellow Christians and curious bystanders the intellectual and spiritual wealth and excitement and complexity they have found in that faith. Ronald F. Thiemann is John Lord O’Brian Professor of Theology and Dean of Harvard Divinity School. William C. Placher was Professor of Contemporary Theology and Philosophy of Religion at Wabash College, Crawfordsville, IN.

[LHBOTS] Mills' Alterity, Pain, and Suffering in Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Ezekiel Reviewed

RBL has posted a review of Mary E. Mills' LHBOTS volume Alterity, Pain, and Suffering in Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Ezekiel, Vol. 479 written by Hallvard Hagelia of Ansgar College and Theological Seminary in Kristiansand, Norway.

A quick excerpt...

Is this kind of postmodern Bible reading really valid? Of course! But I will still argue that the basis for all biblical theology should be detailed exegesis, a close and expository reading of the texts. On this basis, a more subtle application could be excerpted. Mills will probably say that this close reading has already been done; it was her homework, before this book was written. Nevertheless, this is a book bridging in a postmodern way exegesis, ethics, and philosophy of religion. Here is much material for further work and investigation into life’s difficult questions—alterity, pain and suffering—questions that someday will catch up with all of us.

The book is very well written, in fluent language that nonetheless demands close attention
by the reader, at least readers not so accustomed to its rather philosophical or
phenomenological language. This is a deep dive, a rather underneath-the-actual-text
analysis. Already the first word of the title, “alterity,” is not found in, for example, The
New International Webster’s Comprehensive Dictionary of the English Language (2003),
but linked with pain and suffering, the idea soon emerges.

Online Review: Calvin - A Guide for the Perplexed

   

There is a wonderful review of Paul Helm's new Guide for the Perplexed on Calvin on the Exiled Preacher Blog: 

"Paul Helm has provided us with a first class introduction to Calvin's thought in all its grandeur and breadth. There is certainly more to Calvin than predestination. He gives us invaluable insight into the nature of biblical revelation, the Trinity, and Christ in his offices of Prophet, Priest and King. His teaching on salvation through union with Christ, and the gift of 'double grace' in him, is especially helpful. What he has to say on living the Christian life is full of practical wisdom. This guide will help the perplexed. I hope that it will also stimulate the reader to get better acquainted with the theological legacy of John Calvin, great Genevan Reformer." Read more 

More info on the book for UK customers 

More info on the book for US customers