Genesis (Brazos Theological Commentary on the Bible | BTC)
Overview
In this volume, R. R. Reno begins with the theological presupposition that Genesis is, at its core, a book that keeps pushing, moving, and looking forward. As Reno states, “As a book of origins Genesis is far less concerned with the source of what is than what will be.” Obviously this means that Reno is interpreting the text, and as such he does not allow Genesis to stand on its “own terms.” He uses it to develop a coherent theological expression. To this end, Reno’s methodology obviously takes center stage, but even here Reno will not allow himself to be sucked into a hermeneutical vacuum. His task is rather to respond and expound upon the important questions raised by the text at specific strategic and theologically significant points.
Thus, Reno’s approach is to highlight what is theologically significant in the book. He also aims to work back to the text in Genesis, locating its role in how Genesis pushes its narrative forward, exposing a forceful longing and need for redemption.
The result of Reno’s work is an incredibly fresh perspective on Genesis that is faithful both to the text, the surrounding context of the book, and to church theological tradition. Often the church because of its focus on particular items in Genesis has missed the theological power that lies buried within its story, and this book is a significant step forward in overcoming this problem.
With Logos, every word is essentially a link! Scripture references link directly to the Bibles in your library—both the original language texts and English translations. Double-clicking any word automatically opens your lexicons to the relevant entry, making Latin words instantly accessible. With Logos, you can quickly move from the table of contents to your desired content, search entire volumes and collections by topic, title, or Scripture reference.
Get all 16 volumes of Brazos Theological Commentary on the Bible here!
- Contains an in-depth introduction
- Offers theological analysis of Scripture
- Includes bibliographical references and indexes
Top Highlights
“But instincts and natural abilities must be educated and shaped so that they take a specific form in an actual human life. From the beginning, the divine plan was and remains the same: to order our natural capacities toward our supernatural vocation, which is our entrance into the seventh day, the future of living in fellowship with God.” (Page 75)
“Scriptural statements about God work in the same way. Therefore, sentences that describe divine action or emotions must be read as part of the overall system of scriptural language, designed to convey our minds toward divine reality rather than conveying divine reality to our minds.” (Page 116)
“We’re not so much greedy as responsible parents, laying up prudent reserves for the education of our children. It’s not gluttony or lust, but instead a world-affirming ethic that takes life seriously. The alchemy of rationalization sews together the fig leaves in many different ways. We do so in order to reclothe ourselves in a greater moral purpose, hiding the deep truth that we are living carnally, living as if the material world was the final truth that constrains and governs human life.” (Page 92)
“But the larger witness of the Bible gives strong support to an interpretation of Ham’s sin as a public broadcast of embarrassing facts about his father.” (Page 129)
“second and third, but in the lasting sense of providing its basis or root” (Page 30)
Reno’s commentary on Genesis stands out by providing a purely theological approach to the Scriptures. . . . A great commentary for those who seek to be exposed to a wide diversity of theological views that have been put forth regarding the book of Genesis.
—Rick Painter, Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society
Rusty Reno has done what Augustine could not—write a theologically satisfying single-volume commentary on the whole of Genesis. Of course, Augustine didn’t have the benefit of reading Genesis through Rashi, Aquinas, Barth, Ochs, and even modern historical critics. This is the right way to read scripture—as a multigenerational exegetical workshop among Christians, Jews, and interested others, not looking for more or less reliable historical information or literary pre-history but for the sort of wisdom that instills love and finally holiness.
—Jason Byassee, executive director of leadership education, Duke Divinity School
- Title: Brazos Theological Commentary on the Bible: Genesis
- Author: R. R. Reno
- Publisher: Baker
- Publication Date: 2010
- Pages: 304
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