Theodicy and the Cross of Christ: A New Testament Inquiry (The Library of New Testament Studies, 567)

Holmén, Tom

ISBN 10: 0567694844 / ISBN 13: 9780567694843

Published by T&T Clark, 2020

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Seller Inventory # ria9780567694843_new

Bibliographic Details

• Title: Theodicy and the Cross of Christ: A New Testament Inquiry (The Library of New Testament Studies, 567)
• Publisher: T&T Clark
• Publication Date: 2020
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0567694844
• ISBN 13: 9780567694843
• Binding: Soft cover
• Condition: New

About this title

Synopsis

The death of Jesus is commonly regarded as the one radically novel perspective from which the problem of suffering is viewed in the New Testament, as opposed to the appropriation of viewpoints present elsewhere in contemporary writings and in the Old Testament. Tom Holmén's focus on the death of Jesus as a source of New Testament theodicy reveals a two-fold reasoning: the lasting relevance of the theme of Jesus' death on the cross and theodicy, and the lack of thorough and sustained New Testament investigations into this theme.

Holmén's argument focuses on the changes in the concept of suffering occasioned by the unprecedented sacrifice of Jesus. He explores both the derivative nature of suffering as God's retribution or a test for discipline – in line with the traditions known in the time contemporary to the formation of the New Testament – and the sharp, wholly new contrast of suffering as intercessory in the crucifixion of Christ, Son of God, appearing to the world as 'impossible'. Holmén considers many issues in his discussion, including the context of providence and covenant, and the problem that Jesus' death causes for theodicy. He also examines other perspectives, such as the writings of Paul, and practical considerations of coping with anguish. Taken as a whole, this study provides a fresh examination of the crucifixion's central role for understanding New Testament approaches to suffering.

About the Authors

Dr. Tom Holmén is Docent in New Testament exegetics at Ĺbo Akademi University, Finland.

Chris Keith is Research Professor of New Testament and Early Christianity at MF Norwegian School of Theology, Religion and Society, Norway. He is the author of The Pericope Adulterae, the Gospel of John and the Literacy of Jesus, a winner of the 2010 John Templeton Award for Theological Promise, and Jesus' Literacy: Scribal Culture and the Teacher from Galilee. He is also the co-editor of Jesus among Friends and Enemies: A Historical and Literary Introduction to Jesus in the Gospels, and was recently named a 2012 Society of Biblical Literature Regional Scholar.