Hardness of Heart in Biblical Literature: Failure and Refusal
Ebook
Every speaker, teacher, or preacher has on some occasion encountered an audience that was unreceptive to what he or she had to say. One response to such communication breakdowns given by both the Old Testament prophets and New Testament authors was to declare that the hearers "have hardened their hearts to the message" or that "God has hardened them." What is this hardness-of-heart phenomenon? Who became hardened and why? Was it a result of some "deficiency" in communication? What were the consequences of such a disposition? Is there any hope for a change of perspective for those hardened? In this concise and carefully argued volume, Charles Puskas considers all the key texts relating to human obstinacy towards God in pursuit of answers to these questions.
“Charles Puskas provides both a synchronic and diachronic
analysis of the hardening metaphors within all of the Christian
canon. Hardness of Heart in Biblical Literature is both
alert to the historical factors in the development of the metaphor
and sensitive to its theological implications. This book is a
valuable resource for anyone studying the Christian canon’s
presentation of Israel and its relation to the church.”
—Mark Reasoner, Marian University
“Puskas tackles one of the most intractable interpretive problems
in the Bible. He draws from his deep knowledge of both testaments
to demonstrate the pervasiveness of the ‘hardness of heart’ theme.
. . . He casts his net wide, examining rabbinic teachers,
church fathers, Reformation theologians, and modern thinkers. His
evenhandedness and erudite scholarship make this an eye-opening
journey into these difficult ‘problem passages.’”
—David Penchansky, University of St. Thomas
“Hardness of Heart in Biblical Literature . . .
addresses the biblical texts as well as the text of the soul. Not
only has Dr. Puskas challenged us to ponder the hardness of heart
in biblical characters, his reflective scholarly comments
inevitably move us to contemplate the texture of our own hearts.
This incisive work from a preeminent biblical scholar speaks to us
in the transformation of our hearts of stone to hearts of
flesh.”
—Matthew Neumann, pastor, United Church of Christ
“From the pen of a seasoned scholar comes a sensitive and
comprehensive study of a thorny issue in the Hebrew and Christian
Scriptures that does not shy away from the hard questions. Dr.
Puskas has given us pause to reflect on God’s mysterious purposes,
divine election, free will and predestination, and the relationship
of the synagogue and the church after the Holocaust. This carefully
nuanced study should spark further discussion not only among
scholars but within our own hearts.”
—Roy A. Harrisville, author of The Faith of St. Paul
- Title: Hardness of Heart in Biblical Literature: Failure and Refusal
- Author: Charles B. Puskas Jr.
- Publisher: Cascade Books
- Print Publication Date: 2022
- Logos Release Date: 2024
- Language: English
- Resources: 1
- Format: Digital › Ebook
- ISBNs: 9781666794878, 9781666794861, 1666794864, 9781666736502, 1666736503, 1666794872
- Resource ID: LLS:9781666794878
- Resource Type: Monograph
- Metadata Last Updated: 2024-04-11T16:24:39Z
Charles B. Puskas (PhD) has extensive experience in university and seminary teaching, academic publishing, and pastoral ministry.