Ezekiel, Daniel (Reformation Commentary on Scripture, OT vol. XII, | RCS)
Overview
The Reformation-era revolution in preaching and interpreting the Bible did not occur without keen attention to the Old Testament Scriptures. This is especially true with regard to the Hebrew prophets. Ezekiel and Daniel—replete with startling, unnerving imagery and visions, apocalyptic oracles of judgment and destruction—captivated the reformers as they sought to understand their time and themselves through the lens of Scripture. Equally, these prophetic books underscored the covenantal promises to God’s people and the hope of restoration, which the Reformers understood to be the righteousness of Christ made available in faith.
Reformation commentary on the prophets Ezekiel and Daniel are windows into the biblical, theological, and pastoral minds of the reformers as they engage the details of the texts, make theological judgments, and apply fresh reading of Scripture to their contemporary hearers. Familiar passages, such as Ezekiel’s dazzling vision of the wheels, the building of the temple, or Daniel’s four beasts, are given new layers and textures.
This volume collects the comments of the monumental figures like Luther, Calvin, and Melancthon, alongside many lesser known and read thinkers, such as Heinrich Bullinger, Hans Denck, Giovanni Diodati, Johann Gerhard, John Mayer, Matthew Mead, Johann Oecolampadius, Jakob Raupius, Johann Wigand, and Andrew Willet. Several beloved English Puritans are included as well: Richard Baxter, John Bunyan, Thomas Manton, and John Owen. The wealth of Reformation interpretation on these books of Scripture is brought together for the first time.
- Makes theological judgments and applies fresh reading of Scripture to contemporary hearers
- Collects the comments of monumental thinkers as well as important figures of the time who are lesser-known today
- Includes several beloved English Puritans such as Richard Baxter and John Bunyan
Top Highlights
“He depicts that this Roman Empire will first be divided into ten kingdoms” (Page 334)
“But as we have previously seen, this is not a suitable meaning, and I am surprised that people versed in the Scriptures should so pour forth clouds on clear light. For, as we said yesterday, nothing can be clearer, or more perspicuous, or even more familiar, than this prophecy. And what is the tendency of ascribing so violently to antichrist what even mere children clearly see to be spoken of Antiochus, except to deprive Scripture of all its authority?” (Page 355)
“The genuine sense, I have no doubt, is as follows: the death of Christ should be without any attractiveness or loveliness, as Isaiah says (Is 53:2). In truth, the angel informs us of the ignominious character of Christ’s death, as if he should vanish from the sight of people through want of comeliness. Nothing, therefore, shall remain to him, says he; and the obvious reason is, because people would think him utterly abolished.” (Pages 376–377)
“That Daniel at the same time depicts the image of the impious king, waging war in the church with Christ, Paul testifies, referring to the words about Antiochus and expressly applying them to the antichrist (2 Thess 2).” (Page 355)
“We know that whatever happened to the church of old belongs also to us, because we have fallen on the fullness of times” (Page 355)
Carl Beckwith’s Ezekiel, Daniel provides good, sizeable excerpts from Reformation Era commentary on these prophetic books. It is especially valuable in difficult books such as these to see how the church in previous ages dealt with certain texts.
—Preaching
- Title: Ezekiel, Daniel: Old Testament, Volume 12
- Authors: Timothy George, Scott M. Manetsch, Carl L. Beckwith
- Series: Reformation Commentary on Scripture
- Publisher: IVP Academic
- Print Publication Date: 2012
- Logos Release Date: 2013
- Pages: 452
- Era: era:reformation
- Language: English
- Resources: 1
- Format: Digital › Logos Research Edition
- Subjects: Bible. O.T. Ezekiel › Commentaries; Bible. O.T. Daniel › Commentaries
- ISBNs: 9780830898145, 9780830829620, 083089814X, 0830829628
- Resource ID: LLS:REFORMCOMMOT12
- Resource Type: Bible Commentary
- Metadata Last Updated: 2024-02-09T17:04:52Z
Carl L. Beckwith is associate professor of church history at Beeson Divinity School, Samford University. He has authored articles on church history for a variety of monographs and journals.