Ebook
Colossians and Ephesians present some of the highest statements of Christology in the New Testament. How is it that Christ came to be conceived not only as the Savior of humanity but also as the divine Lord over the whole cosmos? While previous scholars have looked to Wisdom traditions and Greco-Roman cosmology to provide background for the Christology of Colossians and Ephesians, James Crockett demonstrates that Jewish royal ideology provides the key conceptual background through which the Christology of these letters was formed. Crockett begins by demonstrating how Jewish literature reveals God’s intent to enact his rule over creation through his enthroned king, a plan which begins with Adam and continues with the promise of the ideal Davidic king. Crockett then shows how Paul utilizes and expands upon Jewish royal ideological themes to portray Christ as the supreme cosmic king through whom God reestablishes cosmic harmony.
In this important work on the Christology of Colossians and Ephesians, Crockett makes a compelling case for a Jewish royal ideological background to Paul’s thought. Jesus is the ideal Adamic-Davidic king, the Lord over all things who will bring harmony to the cosmos. Paul’s affirmations about Christ are developed yet consistent and complementary to the Christology of his other letters.
——Mark Taylor, professor of New Testament, Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary
Crockett draws needed attention to the Adamic and Davidic backgrounds for the cosmic Christology of Colossians and Ephesians, letters often neglected in Pauline studies. By ably tracing connections to major Old Testament passages and concepts, he provides an alternative to a purely Greco-Roman explanation of Christ’s cosmic significance. This work is a welcome addition to the field of Pauline Christology, and it will be an important source for those working on the evergreen question of christological origins.
——Andrew Streett, associate professor of biblical studies, Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary
For the apostle Paul, Christ is not only the redeemer of individual human beings but also a cosmic redeemer who reigns over all creation. This important concept has been largely overlooked in Pauline scholarship. This book aims to fill this gap by exploring it within the context of ancient Judaism, focusing on the Jewish expectations of Adamic and Davidic kingship, and offering fresh insights that will deepen your understanding of Pauline Christology.
——S. Aaron Son, professor of biblical studies, Dallas Baptist University
James P. Crockett Jr. serves as the director of T22 Institute (a ministry of R1 Ministries), which seeks to entrust believers around the world with biblical truth so that they may be able to teach it to others. He is husband to his wonderful wife Abby and father to two boys, Owen and Landon.
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