Theodicy and the Cross of Christ: A New Testament Inquiry
Ebook
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.
Tom Holmen explores the cross as a starting point for the theology of the New Testament, in contrast with views contemporary to the formation of the New Testament.
Holmen's work presents an overview of theological understanding of the cross in biblical studies scholarship which lends an interdisciplinary approach to his work
Holmen surveys the views on suffering contemporary to the formation of the biblical canon, and shows how understandings of the purpose of suffering were uniform with the exception of the cross
Homen brings his analysis up to date by turning to contemporary scholarship on the theodicy of the cross
Preface
Acknowledgments
Abbreviations
Ch.1: Introduction: The Cross as a Source of Theodicy Thinking
Ch. 2: Theodicy in Context: Providence and Covenant
Ch. 3: Historical Considerations: The Death of Jesus As a Theodicy Problem
Ch. 4: Theological Considerations: Paul and Others on Understanding Suffering
Ch. 5: Practical Considerations: Coping With Suffering
Ch. 6: General Summary of Conclusions
Bibliography
Index
There is much benefit to be found in the pages of this monograph as Holmen clearly and ably expounds on the cross of Christ as the theodicy of the NT.
- Title: Theodicy and the Cross of Christ: A New Testament Inquiry
- Author: Tom Holmén
- Publisher: T&T Clark
- Print Publication Date: 2018
- Logos Release Date: 2024
- Language: English
- Resources: 1
- Format: Digital › Ebook
- ISBNs: 9780567684820, 9780567694843, 0567694844, 0567684822
- Resource ID: LLS:9780567684820
- Resource Type: Monograph
- Metadata Last Updated: 2024-05-12T04:05:32Z