Recent Posts
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S3E23: Jeremiah, the Covenantal Cycle, and the Baruch Tradition
In this episode we discuss the book of Jeremiah and the playing out of the covenantal cycle as developed in Deuteronomy. Various passages illustrate this cycle, but chapter 25 particularly sets the pattern of covenantal determinism which is developed in the apocalyptic literature. A unique example of the forward projection of Jeremiah’s covenantal cycle is also seen in the Baruch tradition.
Show notes
- Brief overview of Jeremiah (3:18)
- Covenantal maintenance in Jeremiah – Jeremiah 2:1-3, 23-24, 26-27; 3:12-18; Jeremiah 16:9-15; Jeremiah 23:1-8; Jeremiah 30:1-18 (5:18)
- Covenantal determinism in Jeremiah and Jewish apocalyptic literature – Jeremiah 25:11-13; 4 Ezra 12-13 (19:46)
- Chronology and numerology in context to the covenant (25:43)
- The New Covenant – Jeremiah 31:31-34; Deuteronomy 30:1-6; 1 Baruch 2:31-35 (32:04)
- The apocalypticizing of Jeremiah – 2 Baruch 10:2-5 (39:01)
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S3E22: Isaiah, Messianism, and the Servant Songs
In this episode we discuss messianism in the book of Isaiah. In light of the day of the Lord and the coming restoration of creation, Isaiah portrays the Messiah as the head of Israel, who will redeem Israel and glorify Jerusalem. The Messiah functions as a servant of Israel who heals the nation and leads her to her glorious destiny. As Paul would put it, “I tell you that Messiah became a servant to the circumcised to show God’s truthfulness, in order to confirm the promises given to the patriarchs” (Romans 15:8).
Show notes
- What is messianism? (2:25)
- Messianism in Isaiah – Isaiah 9:6-7; Isaiah 11:1-9; Testament of Judah 24:1-6 (6:15)
- The Servant Songs: Who is the servant?
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S3E21: Isaiah, Redemption, and the New Creation
In this episode we look at the theme of redemption and restoration in the Book of Isaiah. The language of new heavens and new earth is uniquely Isaianic and captures the Jewish idea of the restoration of creation. However, this hope is understood in light of the covenant and the glorification of Jerusalem. The apocalyptic idea of the resurrection of the dead develops within this context and finds its epicenter on Mount Zion.
Show notes
- The varying historical narratives about the future redemption (2:01)
- The geographical nature of the redemption: Isaiah 2:2-4; Isaiah 62:1, 6-7; Genesis 12:1-3 (4:37)
- A more universal vision of redemption and resurrection: Isaiah 25:7-8; Isaiah 26:19; 4 Ezra 7:30-34 (14:11)
- The scope of the redemption: Isaiah 65:17-19; 1 Enoch 45:4-5; 1 Enoch 91:15-17; Jubilees 1:29; 2 Peter 3; Revelation 21:1-2 (23:12)
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S3E20: Isaiah, Theophany, and the Day of the Lord
In this episode we discuss how Isaiah is understood and pushed forward by later apocalyptic writers, Jesus, and the authors of the New Testament. Isaiah begins the written prophets in the Nevi’im, which revolve around the maintenance and projection of the covenant through divine judgment and redemption. The primary elements of Jewish apocalyptic thought (the day of the Lord, the resurrection of the dead, and the coming Messiah) are all heavily influenced by the Book of Isaiah. In this episode we focus on the theme of theophany and the day of the Lord.
Show notes
- The prophets and German objective rationalism (2:01)
- Framing Isaiah in context to God’s covenant with Israel (6:16)
- Brief overview of Isaiah (10:31)
- A major apocalyptic theme of Isaiah: theophany and the Day of the Lord (14:29)
- The covenantal hardening in Isaiah 6 and the parables: Mark 4:11-12 (15:26)
- Redemption by the Lord alone in Isaiah 2: Isaiah 2:11-12, 17-19; Matthew 23:12, 33; Revelation 6:15-17 (22:16)
- The importance of Isaiah 13 in the apocalyptic tradition: Isaiah 13:6, 9-13; Matthew 24:29 (27:31)
- Gehenna, Topheth, and Isaiah 30: Isaiah 30:30-33; Isaiah 34:2-4 (31:13)
- The Day of the Lord, the Gospel, and Isaiah 40: Isaiah 40:5, 9-10; Isaiah 52:7; Luke 3:3-6 (37:11)
- Redemption by the Lord alone in Isaiah 63: Isaiah 63:1-5; 64:1-2; 66:15-16 (44:25)
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Q&A #6 with Bill, John, and Josh
Bill, John, and Josh tackle your questions in this sixth Q&A episode. Topics include enjoying life within an apocalyptic view of the world, the meaning of “ekklesia”, the messiah’s relationship to the day of the Lord, the parable of the wineskins, revivals within an apocalyptic view, and how to weed through various competing theological narratives.
Show notes:
- How does love and joy fit into the gospel? (2:12)
- What does ‘ekklesia’ mean if it doesn’t mean ‘church’? (13:54)
- How do first century Jews relate the Messiah and the Day of the Lord? (20:46)
- Do you believe in a dispensational or apocalyptic view of the temple in Ezekiel 40-48?
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S3E19: I & II Kings, the Solomonic Ideal, and the Kingdom of God
In this episode we give a brief overview of 1 and 2 Kings and focus on the unfolding and later projection of David’s dynasty. After the failure of the Davidic monarchy, Solomon is idealized and anticipated by the prophetic tradition, wisdom literature, and second-temple literature as the king who is filled with God’s wisdom and who leads the nation in righteousness and obedience. Rather than redefining or reimagining this expectation, the New Testament reinforces the hope for the restoration of David’s throne in Jerusalem.
Show notes
- Overview of key events in 1 and 2 Kings (1:43)
- The height of Solomon’s reign: 1 Kings 4:32-34; 10 (4:07)
- Solomon’s failure and the anticipation of the idealized king: 1 Kings 11, Deuteronomy 17 (7:31)
- The idealized king and kingdom in the prophetic and apocalyptic literature: Micah 4:6-8, Testament of Dan 5:12-13, Amos 9:11-14; 2 Baruch 61:1-8; 72:2; 74:2-3 (10:26)
- The idealized king and kingdom in the wisdom literature: Psalm 72; Psalm 132:10-17; Psalms of Solomon 17:21-26; Isaiah 11:1-6, 32-37 (22:44)
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S3E18: I & II Samuel and the Anticipation of David’s Glorious Throne
In this episode we discuss 1 and 2 Samuel, and particularly the Davidic covenant in 2 Samuel 7, with an eye toward its forward projection in the Tanakh, second-temple literature, and the New Testament. God’s election of David’s family and the city of Jerusalem play out in subsequent prophetic and apocalyptic traditions. God’s faithfulness to David and his descendants become the crucible of his faithfulness to creation as a whole.
Show notes
- A quick overview of the events of 1 and 2 Samuel (3:05)
- The Davidic Covenant: 2 Samuel 7 (6:02)
- The Davidic Covenant in the Writings and Prophets: Psalm 89:3-4, 20-29, 36-37; Psalm 2; Isaiah 9, 11, 16, 22, 55; Jeremiah 23:5, 33:20-21; Ezekiel 34, 37 (9:22)
- The “glorious throne” in Second Temple Literature: Ben Sira 47:11; 4 Ezra 12:31-34; 1 Enoch 45:3-5, 51:1-5 (26:58)
- The son of David and the Davidic throne in the New Testament: Matthew 19:28, 25:31, 1:1; Luke 1:32; Matthew 9:27-28; Mark 11:10 (36:13)
- Historical and modern distortions of David’s throne (47:36)
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S3E17: Joshua, Judges, Apocalypticism, and Martyrdom
In this episode we discuss the books of Joshua and Judges and how they are understood in second-temple apocalyptic literature. Though not often talked about, when they are referenced, they are assimilated into the later apocalyptic tradition. The lack of references is also discussed in light of apocalypticism downplaying synergism and human involvement in ultimate salvation. Similarly, the rise of the martyrdom tradition in second-temple Judaism coincides with the development of apocalyptic hopes.
Show notes
- Why are Joshua and Judges placed with the prophets in the Hebrew Bible? (4:23)
- Joshua and Judges in Jewish apocalyptic literature: 2 Baruch 53-74; 59:1-2; 60:1-2; 1 Enoch 85-90; 89:39-42; Acts 7; 13 (7:03)
- The elephant in the room: divine sanctioning of warfare and the killing of God’s enemies (14:55)
- The apocalyptic tradition minimizes synergism and human partnership with God in bringing the redemption: Isaiah 63:1-6; Zechariah 14:2-3; Daniel 2:44-45; Deuteronomy 32:36; Daniel 12:7 (18:51)
- Martyrdom in the apocalyptic tradition: Daniel 7; 2 Maccabees 6-7 (32:27)
- Martyrdom, Jesus, and the apostles: Matthew 16; Luke 9; Revelation 7 (36:59)
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S3E16: Deuteronomy and the Covenantal Cycle
In this episode we look more deeply at Deuteronomy and highlight how the Covenant and the Law are projected into the future both within the book of Deuteronomy as well as by later Jewish writers. Deuteronomy describes a cycle of covenant breaking, exile, repentance, and return that later becomes the foundation for Jewish eschatological conviction. This cycle thus becomes the engine of the apocalyptic hermeneutic in the second-temple period and in the New Testament.
Show notes
- Projecting the covenant and the law into Israel’s future – Daniel 9:11-13; 2 Maccabees 6:12–16 (1:40)
- The “covenantal cycle” of transgression, exile, repentance, return – Jeremiah 1:1, 11-12; 2 Kings 22:8; Ezekiel 1:1-3 (12:44)
- The cycle will not go on forever – Deuteronomy 4:30-31, 30:1-6, 6:6, 10:16; Jubilees 1:21-22 (19:26)
- Apocalyptic eschatology is built on the assumption of God’s faithfulness to the covenant – 4 Ezra 5:23-29; 4 Ezra 6:18-20 (27:14)
- The New Testament and the covenantal projection – Romans 9-11; Romans 11:11-16; Deuteronomy 32:18–21 (37:00)
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S3E15: A Survey of Deuteronomy: The Covenant, the Law, and the Land
In this episode, we give a brief overview of the book of Deuteronomy. We discuss some of the major themes of covenant, law, and land as we survey the book chapter by chapter. The book of Deuteronomy is often neglected in Christian tradition, but it was foundational for the oracles of the prophets and later the teachings of Jesus and the apostles.
Show notes
- Why an overview of Deuteronomy? (2:39)
- Deuteronomy 1-3: A review to reframe history toward a particular conclusion (4:36)
- Deuteronomy 4: Covenant, Law, and Land projected into the future (10:08)
- Deuteronomy 5: The Decalogue, Shabbat (17:00)
- Deuteronomy 6: The Shema (19:40)
- Deuteronomy 7: Israel’s election (22:46)
- Deuteronomy 8-11: Remembrance of God and his righteousness (24:44)
- Deuteronomy 12-26: Legal matters, kings and prophets, and how the Law is often misunderstood (33:02)
- Deuteronomy 27-28: Mount Ebal blessings and curses (45:39)
- Deuteronomy 29-30: Covenant renewal and future restoration (48:25)
- Deuteronomy 30: Joshua commissioned (51:10)
- Deuteronomy 31-34: Song of Moses, the final blessing, and Moses’ death (52:09)