Righteous by Promise: A Biblical Theology of Circumcision (New Studies in Biblical Theology, vol. 45 | NSBT)
Overview
Given the foundational importance of circumcision in the Old Testament and its prevalence in numerous debates in the New Testament, it is surprising that so little detailed work has been done on establishing a biblical theology of circumcision. This lack is even more surprising given that circumcision forms the background for some of the most hotly contested writings of the apostle Paul. The situation is complicated by the fact that the biblical material on circumcision seems to present often quite different and even apparently contradictory pictures of what circumcision means. Two of the key biblical concepts which are closely linked to circumcision in the debates carried on in Paul’s letters and the early church are righteousness and faith. In this NSBT volume, Karl Deenick shows that these two concepts are central to both the New Testament understanding and the developing Old Testament understanding of circumcision. They are held together by the unfolding promise of a blameless “seed of Abraham,” Jesus Christ, through whose sacrifice the promised righteousness will finally come—a righteousness which will be enjoyed by those whose hearts are circumcised, who trust in God’s promise.
Top Highlights
“reckoned to possess already the righteousness and blamelessness” (Page 216)
“My argument here has been that right from the institution of circumcision, righteousness and blamelessness have been at the very heart. That righteousness/blamelessness is both a present status but also a future promise that is appropriated by humble trust in God’s promise to Abraham of a blameless ‘seed’.” (Page 211)
“Whatever a circumcised heart might be, a humbled uncircumcised one is not a perfect one, but a repentant one that seeks mercy from the Most High God.” (Page 57)
“Second, receipt of the blessing was independent of the sign itself” (Page 49)
“Crucially, in contrast to Alexander and Williamson, blamelessness was not the prerequisite for the promise being made or for it being confirmed as a covenant; rather, blamelessness is the prerequisite for receiving what was promised. God had already made his promise to Abraham and had confirmed that promise with an oath. Yet the fulfilment awaited the realization of both ‘blamelessness’ and ‘walking before Yahweh’.” (Page 21)
- Title: Righteous by Promise: A Biblical Theology of Circumcision
- Author: Karl Deenick
- Series: New Studies in Biblical Theology
- Volume: 45
- Publishers: Apollos, IVP
- Print Publication Date: 2018
- Logos Release Date: 2018
- Language: English
- Resources: 1
- Format: Digital › Logos Research Edition
- Subjects: Circumcision › Biblical teaching; Righteousness › Biblical teaching
- Resource ID: LLS:NSBT45
- Resource Type: Monograph
- Metadata Last Updated: 2022-02-07T16:33:55Z
Reviews
2 ratings
lydia.juan
11/24/2021
www.godinvitesyou.com
10/10/2019
His overview of circumcision, blamelessness and righteousness is very good in the specifics. But when he tries to extend it to Pauline passages, it all falls apart as he himself recognizes (ie., p. 138 et al.) though he disregards his own insight. The Abrahamic Covenant promised that those who blessed Abraham (and his seed through the line of Isaac) would be blessed. And those who cursed him (and his seed through Isaac) would be blessed (Gen. 12:3). Or to state it in another way: God promised that He would bless His friends and destroy His enemies. In this context, God displayed this Righteousness throughout the OT, Gospels and ministry of the 12 in early Acts. to fulfil Israel's Prophetic Program, God displayed the Righteousness of God in Saving His Friends and Destroying His enemies. When we come to Paul and his epistles, however, God began to manifest the Righteousness of God in Saving His Enemies because He has no friends! And this is in reference to the Body of Christ (not the nation of Israel). The display of the BUT NOW Righteousness of God (Rom. 3:21) that justifies ungodly sinners on enemy status before God by grace and faith was given to Paul, God's worst enemy and chief sinner (1 Tim. 1), and it declares God's Righteousness because it is based on the redemptive work of Christ on the Cross. In short, what this author misses is that there isn't enough Grace in the Abrahamic Covenant to accomplish what God is doing today through the apostleship of Paul. Today God is dispensing the RICHES OF HIS GRACE that go far beyond that of Israel's covenant system. Overall a very interesting and engaging book but the author misses the larger picture and how it fits into God's Word.