Including the Stranger: Foreigners In The Former Prophets (New Studies in Biblical Theology) - Softcover

Firth, David G

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1783595078 ISBN 13: 9781783595075

Publisher: Apollos, 2019

Synopsis

<p>The Old Testament, particularly the Former Prophets, has frequently been regarded as having a negative attitude towards foreigners. This has meant that these texts are often employed by those opposed to the Christian faith to attack the Bible; and such views can be echoed by Christians. While the story of David and Goliath is cherished, other episodes are seen to involve 'ethnic cleansing' or 'massacre' and are avoided.<br><br>David Firth's contention is that this view emerges from an established interpretation of the text, but not the text itself. He argues that the Former Prophets subvert the exclusivist approach in order to show that the people of God are not defined by ethnicity but rather by their willingness to commit themselves to the purposes of Yahweh. God's purposes are always wider than Israel alone, and Israel must therefore understand themselves as a people who welcome and include the foreigner.<br><br>Firth addresses contemporary concerns about the ongoing significance of the Old Testament for Christians, and shows how opponents of Christianity have misunderstood the Bible. His reading of the Former Prophets also has significant ethical implications for Christians today as they wrestle with the issues of migration and what it means to be the people of God.</p>

About this title

About the Author

David G. Firth is Tutor in Old Testament and Undergraduate Academic Lead at Trinity College Bristol and a Research Associate of the University of the Free State.

From the Back Cover

NSBT

The Old Testament, particularly the Former Prophets, has frequently been regarded as having a negative attitude towards foreigners. Hence, these texts are often employed by opponents of the Christian faith to attack the Bible - and such views can be echoed by Christians. While the story of David and Goliath is cherished, other episodes are seen to involve 'ethnic cleansing' or 'massacre' and are avoided.

David Firth contends that this view emerges from an established interpretation of the text, but not the text itself. He argues that the Former Prophets subvert the exclusivist approach in order to show that the people of God are not defined by ethnicity, but rather by their willingness to commit themselves to Yahweh's purposes. These purposes are always wider than Israel alone, and Israel must therefore understand themselves as a people who welcome and include the foreigner.

Firth addresses contemporary concerns about the continuing significance of the Old Testament for Christians. His reading of the Former Prophets also has significant ethical implications for Christians today.

'Dr Firth opens up biblical texts that are not as widely known as some passages, and drops tantalizing hints about the ultimate canonical move to the notion of God's people drawn from every tongue, tribe, people and nation' (D. A. Carson).

David G. Firth is Tutor in Old Testament at Trinity College, Bristol, UK, and a research fellow of the University of the Free State, South Africa. His books include 1 & 2 Samuel (AOTC) and The Message of Joshua. He is the co-editor of several volumes of Old Testament studies.

Edition details

• Publisher: Apollos
• Publication date: 2019
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1783595078
• ISBN 13: 9781783595075
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 240