God of the Living: A Biblical Theology
Overview
In God of the Living, noted biblical scholars Reinhard Feldmeier and Hermann Spieckermann provide a comprehensive theology of the God of the Christian Bible. A remarkable achievement, God of the Living joins together the very best of Old and New Testament scholarship to craft a comprehensive biblical theology. Feldmeier and Spieckermann wrestle with the whole of Scripture to give a definitive and decisive voice to the church's central mission—bearing witness to the living God.
Both historical and systematic, God of the Living explores God's multifaceted, complex, and sometimes contradictory character presented in the Scriptures. Yet, whether in wrath or reconciliation, judgment or justification, suffering or salvation, God has given and shares divine life in the person of Jesus Christ. Thus, Feldmeier and Spieckermann uncover God's profound affirmation of human life, as the God of the living—the God of the Bible—finds fulfillment in relation to the living partners of his own creation.
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- Comprehensive theology of God
- Includes an introduction and bibliography, as well as a topical index and an index of biblical citations
- Part I: Foundation
- The Name and the Names
- From Lord God to Father God
- The One as the Unifier
- The Loving One
- The Almighty
- Spirit and Presence
- Part II: Development
- Word and Creation
- Blessing and Praise
- Justice and Justification
- Forgiveness and Reconciliation
- Hiddenness and Wrath
- Suffering and Lament
- Transience and Death
- Eternity and Time
- Commandment and Prayer
- Covenant and Promise
- Salvation and Judgment
- Hope and Comfort
- Part III: Conclusion
- Conclusion
Top Highlights
“YHWH, he is (the one) God in heaven above and on earth below, and there is no other’ (v. 39; cf. 1 Kgs 8:60). Here, in the diction of the praise of God, Israel proclaims God’s uniqueness, which is exclusivity in relationship: the exclusive devotion of God to his people, the gift of a foundation for life—and in the case of disobedience, the cause of death (Deut 32:8–12, 27–29).” (Page 103)
“On his way to death, the Son of God responded through it to those who did not consider the possibility of resurrection scriptural, with an interpretation of Scripture determined by his own experience of God, an interpretation that unites God as Creator and God as Savior from an eschatological perspective as ‘God of the Living.’” (Page 1)
“makes the people aware of the reliability of the promising and saving God” (Page 3)
“God’s wrath is at work in this hiddenness and the resulting abandonment” (Page 340)
“Universal YHWH theology and personal relationship with God interfuse” (Page 35)
Here are two masters of the biblical text who offer a fresh, thick probing of the character of God in the Bible. Their daring capacity to move between the Testaments overcomes the 'radical monotheism of the Second Person' in the New Testament. God of the Living is a major contribution to the on-going work of theological interpretation.
—Walter Brueggemann, Professor Emeritus of Old Testament, Columbia Theological Seminary
Feldmeier and Spieckermann have given new life to the venerable but frequently questioned discipline of biblical theology. Their work shines with the spirit of collaboration as they navigate the diversity of scripture—both its tensions and its testimonies—in a way that is compelling and transformative. God of the Living will be a standard reference for many years to come.
—William P. Brown, Professor of Old Testament, Columbia Theological Seminary
One of the most intellectually invigorating works of biblical scholarship I have read in years. Coherence in presentation of the biblical understanding of God requires a degree of erudition and courage that few scholars but Feldmeier and Spieckermann could muster. God of the Living is an indispensable resource and stimulus for study.
—C. Clifton Black, Otto A. Piper Professor of Biblical Theology, Princeton Theological Seminary
Two leading scholars have joined forces to produce a remarkable, original synthesis on the conception of God as it appears in the Christian Bible. Feldmeier and Spieckermann provide much food for thought in this rich and powerful book.
—Guy Stroumsa, Martin Buber Professor of Comparative Religion, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem
- Title: God of the Living: A Biblical Theology
- Authors: Reinhard Feldmeier and Hermann Spieckermann
- Translator: Mark E. Biddle
- Publisher: Baylor University Press
- Publication Date: 2011
- Pages: 620
Reinhard Feldmeier is Professor of New Testament at the Georg-August-University of Göttingen and the author of several books, including The First Letter of Peter: A Commentary on the Greek Text.
Hermann Spieckermann is Professor of Old Testament at the Georg-August-University of Göttingen. The author of several books, he is also the co-editor of the Encyclopedia of the Bible and Its Reception (EBR).
