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An articulation of a vital doctrine for Christianity.

So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them' (Genesis 1:27). Genesis 1:26-27 has served as the locus of most theological anthropologies in the central Christian tradition. However, Richard Lints observes that too rarely have these verses been understood as conceptually interwoven with the whole of the prologue materials of Genesis 1. The construction of the cosmic temple strongly hints that the 'image of God' language serves liturgical functions. Lints argues that 'idol' language in the Bible is a conceptual inversion of the 'image' language of Genesis 1. These constructs illuminate each other, and clarify the canon's central anthropological concerns. The question of human identity is distinct, though not separate, from the question of human nature; the latter has far too frequently been read into the biblical use of 'image'. Lints shows how the 'narrative' of human identity runs from creation (imago Dei) to fall (the golden calf/idol, Exodus 32) to redemption (Christ as perfect image, Colossians 1:15-20). The biblical-theological use of image/idol is a thread through the canon that highlights the movements of redemptive history. In the concluding chapters, Lints interprets the use of idolatry as it emerges in the secular prophets of the nineteenth century, and examines the recent renaissance of interest in idolatry with its conceptual power to explain the 'culture of desire'.

Perceiving within evangelical studies the lack of a robust canonical biblical-theological treatment of the book of Daniel, James Hamilton explores how it contributes to the Bible's unfolding redemptive-historical storyline. First, he shows how the book's literary structure contributes to its meaning, and then addresses key questions and issues. He argues that the four kingdoms prophesied by Daniel are both historical and symbolic; that the 'one like a son of man' seen by Daniel is identified with, and distinguished from, the Ancient of Days in a way that would be mysterious until Jesus came as both the son of David and God incarnate; that the interpretations of Daniel in early Jewish literature attest to strategies similar to those employed by New Testament authors; that those authors provide a Spirit-inspired interpretation of Daniel that was learned from Jesus; and that the book of Revelation uses Daniel's language, imitates his structure, points to the fulfilment of his prophecies and clarifies the meaning of his 'seventieth week'. Hamilton concludes by examining typological patterns.

An examination of a significant theme in the Gospels.

For neither circumcision counts for anything nor uncircumcision, but keeping the commandments of God' (1 Cor. 7:19). A The apostle Paul's relationship to the Law of Moses is notoriously complex and much studied. Difficulties begin with questions of definition (of the extent of Paul's corpus and the meanings of 'the law') and are exacerbated by numerous problems of interpretation of the key texts. Major positions are entrenched, yet none of them seems to know what to do with all the pieces of the puzzle.A A Inextricably linked to Paul's view of the law is his teaching concerning salvation history, Israel, the church, anthropology, ethics and eschatology. Understanding 'Paul and the law' is critical to the study of the New Testament, because it touches on the perennial question of the relationship between the grace of God in the gift of salvation and the demand of God in the call for holy living. Misunderstanding can lead to distortions of one or both. A This fresh and valuable study is something of a breakthrough, bringing neglected evidence to the discussion and asking different questions of the material, while also building on the work of others. Brian Rosner argues that Paul undertakes a polemical re-evaluation of the Law of Moses, which involves not only its repudiation as law-covenant and its replacement by other things, but also its wholehearted re-appropriation as prophecy (with reference to the gospel) and as wisdom (for Christian living).

When the book of Acts is mentioned, a cluster of issues spring to mind, including speaking in tongues and baptism with the Holy Spirit, church government and practice, and missionary methods and strategies. At the popular level, Acts is more often mined for answers to contemporary debates than heard for its natural inflections. Instead of using Acts as a prooftext, this New Studies in Biblical Theology volume brings a biblical-theological framework to the account to expose Luke's major themes as they relate to the book as a whole. With this framework in place, Alan Thompson argues that Acts is an account of the 'continuing story' of God's saving purposes. Consequently we find that Luke wants to be read in light of the Old Testament promises and the continuing reign of Christ in the inaugurated kingdom. Read in this way as a snapshot of God's dynamic, unfolding kingdom, the book of Acts begins to regain the deep relevance it had in the first century. Addressing key issues in biblical theology, the works comprising New Studies in Biblical Theology are creative attempts to help Christians better understand their Bibles. The NSBT series is edited by D. A. Carson, aiming to simultaneously instruct and to edify, to interact with current scholarship and to point the way ahead.

In this new reading of Jonah, Daniel Timmer seeks to secure the book's ongoing relevance for biblical theology and for the spiritual life. Timmer examines Jonah's historical backgrounds and Christocentric orientation, hoping to bring clarity to problems of mission and religious conversion raised by the text.

The study of themes plays a major part in biblical theology, and great events and roles that are pivotal in Christology can be successfully placed in a 'promise-fulfilment' framework. However, is incarnation an anomaly? Was incarnation part of the hope of Israel?Graham Cole's stimulating study addresses such questions. He begins by exploring the purpose of creation in terms of God fashioning a palace-temple for dwelling with the creature made in the divine image, then follows God's acts in Israel's history to redeem a people of his own among whom he can dwell. In particular, he examines theophanic language: God is presented as a person who speaks, acts and feels as though embodied. He considers Israel's messianic hope, and then the testimony of the New Testament: 'The Word became flesh and dwelt among us' (John 1:14), in the person of Jesus Christ. Cole also addresses the question raised by Anselm - 'Why did God become man?' - and finds abundant New Testament answers. He concludes with a consideration of the theological and existential significance of the incarnation. Readers will gain a deeper appreciation of the astonishing providence of God that subtly prepared the way for the mystery of the incarnation, and of the depth of love that God showed in sending the beloved Son who became human.

Just as the Old Testament book of Genesis begins with creation, where humans live in the presence of their Lord, so the New Testament book of Revelation ends with an even more glorious new creation where all of the redeemed dwell with the Lord and his Christ. The historical development between the beginning and the end is crucial, for the journey from Eden to the new Jerusalem proceeds through the land promised to Abraham. The Promised Land is the place where God's people will once again live under his lordship and experience his blessed presence. In this stimulating study, Oren Martin demonstrates how, within the redemptive-historical framework of God's unfolding plan, the land promise advances the place of the kingdom that was lost in Eden and serves as a type throughout Israel's history that anticipates the even greater land, prepared for all of God's people, that will result from the person and work of Christ - and that will be enjoyed in the new creation for eternity.

A careful study of righteousness and justification in Paul - examining the theological issues at stake in the New Perspective.

After a survey of the biblical evidence, Professor Blocher discusses two key texts. First, he considers the relation of the Eden story of Genesis 2-3 to modern scientific, literary and theological thinking. Then he offers an interpretation of Romans 5, where Paul discusses Christ and Adam.

The Song of Songs, Ruth, Lamentations, Ecclesiastes, Esther. These five Old Testament books, traditionally known simply as The Scrolls, are among the most neglected parts of the Christian Bible. Each raises particular difficulties with regard to how it relates to the rest of Scripture, and the manner in which it should be understood and used as the Word of God for us today. In Judaism, these books were adopted as lectionary readings for five of the major festivals - but no comparable solution has emerged in Christianity. Barry Webb explores Christian interpretation of these problematic writings. Each book is allowed to set its own agenda, and is then examined in relation to the wider Old Testament context and to the New Testament gospel with its basic structure of promise and fulfilment. In this way, Dr Webb offers fresh and illuminating perspectives on these 'festival garments' of love, kindness, suffering, vexation and deliverance.

Race is a central biblical theme, and yet has been neglected in much evangelical scholarship. Daniel Hays offers a thorough foundational study, ranging from Genesis to Revelation.

An exposition of a gospel-centred 'spirituality of the Word'.

Offers an examination of a significant theme in the Old and New Testaments relevant to ministry.

An exploration of the prominence and significance of the cross of Jesus in Mark's Gospel.

Dr Peterson argues that sanctification is a definitive event rather than a process. His work combines patient exegesis with careful synthesis, and the result is a restatement of the New Testament teaching on sanctification.

A comprehensive biblical theology of the temple, ranging from Genesis to Revelation.

A comprehensive biblical theology of the Christian attitude to poverty, wealth and material possessions

An important new study in Old Testament theology and ethics, and their application for today.