The Triumph of Grace: Literary and Theological Studies in Deuteronomy and Deuteronomic Themes
Overview
The Apostle Paul’s negative statements about the law have deafened the ears of many to the grace that Moses proclaims in Deuteronomy. Most Christians have a dim view of this book, which they consider to be primarily a book of laws. However, when we read or hear it read orally without prejudice, we discover that rather than casting Moses as a legislator, he appears as Israel’s first pastor, whose congregation has gathered before him to hear him preach his final sermons. Accordingly, Deuteronomy represents prophetic preaching at its finest, as Moses seeks to inspire the people of God to a life of faith and godliness in response to God’s repeated demonstrations of grace. Deuteronomy is a dead book for many, because we have not recognized this gospel; we have heard only law. The essays in this collection arise from a larger project driven by a passion to recover for Christians the life-giving message of the Hebrew Scriptures in general, and to open their ears to God’s amazing grace in Deuteronomy in particular. The wide-ranging “meditations” in this volume do not all focus equally on the topic of God’s grace, but this theme undergirds them all.
- Identifies gospel themes in Deuteronomy that are proclaimed from beginning to end
- Emphasizes the triumph of divine grace and call to covenant relationship
- Highlights the need for the audience to respond in grateful obedience to God’s will
- Deuteronomy: The Heart of Theological Education in the First Testament
- “That They May Hear”: Biblical Foundations for the Oral Reading of Scripture in Worship
- Appendix A: A Liturgical Reading of Israel’s National Anthem (Deuteronomy 32:1–43)
- “Do You Hear What I Hear?” Reflections on the Genre and Message of Deuteronomy
- Covenance: A Whole Bible Perspective
- Deuteronomic Law
- In the Tradition of Moses: The Conceptual and Stylistic Imprint of Deuteronomy on the Patriarchal Narratives
- “A Place for My Name”: Horeb and Zion in the Mosaic Vision of Israelite Worship
- “What Do These Stones Mean?” The Riddle of Deuteronomy 27
- “The Meeting Places of God in the Land”: Another Look at the Towns of the Levites
- “O Day of Rest and Gladness”: Rediscovering the Gift of Sabbath
- The Patricentric Vision of Family Order in Deuteronomy
- Wrestling with God: A Study on Prayer in Deuteronomy
- How Can We Bless YHWH? Wrestling with Divine Violence in Deuteronomy
- The Fear of YHWH: The Theological Tie that Binds Deuteronomy and Proverbs
- All Israel Will Be Saved: An Examination of Moses’ Eschatological Vision in Deuteronomy
- The Spiritual and Ethical Foundations of Messianic Kingship: Deuteronomy 17:14–20
- A Prophet Like Moses: Another Look at Deuteronomy 18:9–22
- Hearing Galatians with Moses: An Examination of Paul as a Second and Seconding Moses
By his own testimony, Dan Block has been ‘marinating’ in Deuteronomy for over twenty years. This volume completes a trilogy of his essays on this important book. Like the previous books, the present one is—not unlike Deuteronomy itself!—a collection of things old and new, including seven previously unpublished studies that cover Deuteronomy and: education, the book’s genre/ message, covenant, Sabbath, prayer, the fear of the Lord, and the ‘prophet like Moses.’ Although these studies will not convince everyone, Block has covered immense ground, providing us with much food for thought—especially for those of us who understand Deuteronomy as Holy Scripture. I, for one, hope Block continues ‘conversing with Moses’ for years to come.
—Brent A. Strawn, Professor of Old Testament, Emory University
Daniel Block, in The Triumph of Grace, demonstrates why he is considered one of the premier Old Testament theologians of this generation. Lucid, thoughtful, engaging, and persuasive, Block brilliantly illuminates for his readers the theme of God’s amazing grace in the Book of Deuteronomy. Scholars, pastors, and laypeople alike will be blessed and helped as they work through this significant volume. It is a joyful privilege to recommend this outstanding work
—David S. Dockery, President, Trinity International University
What a precious resource this is! There are few who have immersed themselves in ‘the gospel according to Moses’ like Dan Block, and fewer still who have matched his scholarship (which is careful and creative in equal measure), warmhearted generosity, and overwhelming desire to live and communicate the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ in Deuteronomy with integrity and rigor. This collection is another hugely valuable contribution to Block’s already rich body of writing on Deuteronomy. These essays encapsulate the humble brilliance of his approach, modeling as they do academic rigor and a profound commitment to apply the Scriptures to the life of the church, family, and society. This book is, at every level, reflective of the triumph of grace which its title proclaims
——J. Gary Millar, Principal, Queensland Theological College, Brisbane, Australia
- Title: The Triumph of Grace: Literary and Theological Studies in Deuteronomy and Deuteronomic Themes
- Author: Daniel I. Block
- Publisher: Wipf & Stock
- Publication Date: 2017
- Pages: 530
- Resource Type: Collected Essays
- Topic: Deuteronomy
Dr. Daniel Block, professor of Old Testament at Wheaton College, has been teaching God’s Word for more than 30 years.
It has been a special joy for Dr. Block to watch students, who often take introductory courses in Old Testament only because they are required to do so by the curriculum, suddenly awaken to the fact that the Old Testament is understandable and its message is both life-giving and relevant for modern, everyday life.
Dr. Block has published a number of books and essays in scholarly journals. The paradigm for his research and ministry is set by Ezra, as described in Ezra 7:10: he committed himself to the study the Torah of Yahweh, to put it into practice, and to teach his revealed will in Israel. This means constantly asking serious questions of the Scriptures: What does the text say? Why does the text say it like that? What did the text mean to the original audience? What does the text have to say to me today? In order to answer these questions, one needs to understand both the worlds out of which the biblical texts arose and the worlds in which modern people live.