With the Clouds of Heaven: The Book of Daniel in Biblical Theology (New Studies in Biblical Theology 32)

"And behold, with the clouds of heaven there came one like a son of man, and he came to the Ancient of Days and was presented before him. And to him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom." (Daniel 7:13-14 ESV). Perceiving a hole in evangelical biblical theology that should be filled with a robust treatment of the book of Daniel, James Hamilton takes this chance to delve into the book's rich contribution to the Bible's unfolding redemptive-historical storyline. By setting Daniel in the broader context of biblical theology, this canonical study helps move us toward a clearer understanding of how we should live today in response to its message. First, Hamilton shows how the book's literary structure contributes to its meaning, and then addresses key questions and issues, concluding by examining typological patterns. This New Studies in Biblical Theology volume argues that the four kingdoms prophesied by Daniel are both historical and symbolic―that the "one like a son of man" seen by Daniel is identified with and distinguished from the Ancient of Days in a way that would be mysterious until Jesus came as both the son of David and God incarnate. He elaborates that the interpretations of Daniel in early Jewish literature attest to strategies similar to those employed by New Testament authors and exposes that those authors provide a Spirit-inspired interpretation of Daniel that was learned from Jesus. He also highlights how the book of Revelation uses Daniel's language, imitates his structure, points to the fulfillment of his prophecies and clarifies the meaning of his "seventieth week." Addressing key issues in biblical theology, the works comprising New Studies in Biblical Theology are creative attempts to help Christians better understand their Bibles. The NSBT series is edited by D. A. Carson, aiming to simultaneously instruct and to edify, to interact with current scholarship and to point the way ahead. List of tables Series preface Author's preface Abbreviations 1. Preliminaries Biblical theology The canon of Scripture An evangelical approach Chapter by chapter preview 2. From Eden to the end: Daniel in Old Testament salvation history The history of Israel's future in the Torah The fulfilment of Mosaic prophecy in the Prophets and the Writings From Daniel to the end of days Conclusion 3. The literary structure of Daniel Daniel's discrete units Relationships between Daniel's discrete units The literary structure of the book of Daniel 4. Four kingdoms; then everlasting dominion: the history of the future The image in Daniel 2 The beasts in Daniel 7 The ram and the goat in Daniel 8 Kings of south and north in Daniel 10—12 Conclusion 5. Seventy weeks and seventy weeks of years: Daniel?s prayer and Gabriel?s revelation The prayer The revelation Conclusion 6. The one like a son of man and other heavenly beings in Daniel Heavenly beings in Daniel The pre-incarnate Christ The one like a son of man Conclusion 7. Interpretations of Daniel in early Jewish literature Tobit Qumran 1 Maccabees 4 Ezra 1 Enoch Conclusion 8. Interpretations of Daniel in the New Testament (except Revelation) A summary of what we have seen Stock language, thematic similarity and fulfilment New Testament quotations of Daniel Thematic fulfilments of Daniel Conclusion 9. Interpretations of Daniel in the Apocalypse John's reuse of Daniel's language John's imitation of Daniel's structure John's fulfilments of Daniel's prophecies John's clarification of Daniel's revelations Conclusion 10. Typological patterns: Daniel in biblical theology A promise-shaped paradigm Abraham Psalms Joseph and Daniel Jehoiachin, Esther and Nehemiah Fulfilment in Christ Conclusion Bibliography Index of authors Index of Scripture references Index of ancient sources 'i Am Putting My Words As A Fire In Your Mouth; These People Are Tinder And It Will Consume Them.' (jeremiah 5:14) In The Book Of Jeremiah, The Vocabulary Of 'word' And 'words' Is Not Only Uniquely Prevalent, But Formulae Marking Divine Speech Also Play An Unprecedented Role In Giving The Book's Final Form Its Narrative And Theological Shape. Indeed, 'the Word Of The Lord' Is Arguably The Main Character, And A Theology That Is Both Distinctive And Powerful Can Be Seen To Emerge From The Unfolding Narrative. In This Stimulating Study, Andrew Shead Examines Jeremiah's Use Of Word Language; The Prophet's Formation As An Embodiment Of The Word Of God; His Covenant Preaching And The Crisis It Precipitates Concerning The Recognition Of True Prophecy; And, In The 'oracles Of Hope,' How The Power Of The Word Of God Is Finally Made Manifest. Shead Then Brings This Reading Of Jeremiah To Bear On Some Issues In Contemporary Theology, Including The Problem Of Divine Agency And The Doctrine Of Scripture, And Concludes By Engaging Jeremiah's Doctrine Of The Word Of God In Conversation With Karl Barth. The Prophet's Major Contribution Emerges From His Careful Differentiation Of 'word' And 'words.' -- Amazon.com. Introduction: An Exercise In Theological Interpretation -- Word And Words In Jeremiah -- Structuring Jeremiah As A Narrative About The Word Of God -- Word And Speaker -- Word And Hearers -- Word And Power -- Word And Permanence -- From The Book Of Jeremiah To The Doctrine Of The Word Of God. Andrew G. Shead. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 291-310) And Indexes. 'I am putting my words as a fire in your mouth; these people are tinder and it will consume them.'(Jeremiah 5:14)In the book of Jeremiah, not only is the vocabulary of'word'and'words'uniquely prevalent, but formulae marking divine speech also play an unprecedented role in giving the book's final form its narrative and theological shape. Indeed,'the word of the Lord'is arguably the main character, and a theology that is both distinctive and powerful can be seen to emerge from the unfolding narrative.In this stimulating study, Andrew Shead examines Jeremiah's use of word language; the prophet's formation as an embodiment of the word of God; his covenant preaching and the crisis it precipitates concerning the recognition of true prophecy; and, in the'oracles of hope,'how the power of the word of God is finally made manifest.Shead then brings this reading of Jeremiah to bear on some issues in contemporary theology, including the problem of divine agency and the doctrine of Scripture, and concludes by engaging Jeremiah's doctrine of the Word of God in conversation with Karl Barth. The prophet's major contribution emerges from his careful differentiation of'word'and'words.'Addressing key issues in biblical theology, the works comprising New Studies in Biblical Theology are creative attempts to help Christians better understand their Bibles. The NSBT series is edited by D. A. Carson, aiming to simultaneously instruct and to edify, to interact with current scholarship and to point the way ahead. The books of Ezekiel and Daniel are rich in imagery that is taken up afresh in the New Testament. Echoes of Ezekiel—with its words of doom and hope, vision of a new temple, and scroll-eating prophet—are especially apparent in the book of Revelation. Daniel is most notable in supplying terminology and imagery for Jesus of Nazareth's favored self-description as "Son of man," a phrase also found in Ezekiel. The four beasts of Daniel find their counterparts in the lion, ox, man, and eagle of Ezekiel and Revelation. It is no wonder these books, despite the difficulties in interpreting them, took hold on the imagination of the early church. In this Ancient Christian Commentary on Scripture volume, over forty church fathers are cited in the commentary on Ezekiel, some of whom are here translated into English for the first time, but pride of place goes to four significant extant works: the homilies of Origen and Gregory the Great, and the commentaries of Jerome and Theodoret of Cyr, thus bridging East and West, North and South. A similar array of fathers are found within the commentary on Daniel. Extensive comments derive from the works of Theodoret of Cyr, Hippolytus, Jerome, and Isho'dad of Merv, providing a wealth of insight.

In many ways, the Old Testament book of Daniel is an enigma.

It consists of two different kinds of material: stories about Judean exiles working in the court of pagan kings (chapters 1-6) and accounts of visions experienced by one of these exiles (chapters 7-12). It is written in two languages, Hebrew and Aramaic, and the language division does not match the subject division. Whether the book's affinities lie more with the Hebrew prophets or with later Jewish apocalypses is debated, as are its affinities with the wisdom traditions of both Israel and Babylon.

Refreshingly, Enest Lucas postpones much of the discussion of such issues to an Epilogue, and invites the reader to an investigation of the meaning of the text in the form in which we now have it. He identifies the central theme of the book as the sovereignty of the God of Israel.

With even-handedness and clarity, Lucas demonstrates that, for preachers and teachers, there is much in Daniel that is fairly readily understandable and applicable, and that there are also theological depths that are rewarding for those willing to plumb them and wrestle with the issues they raise.

Perceiving Within Evangelical Studies That Lack Of A Robust Canonical Biblical-theological Treatment Of The Book Of Daniel, James Hamilton Explores How It Contributes To The Bible's Unfolding Redemptive-historical Storyline. By Setting Daniel In The Broader Context Of Biblical Theology, This Study Helps Move Us Towards A Clearer Understanding Of How We Should Live Today In Response To Its Message.--back Cover. Preliminaries -- From Eden To The End : Daniel In Old Testament Salvation History -- The Literary Structure Of Daniel -- Four Kingdoms ; Then Everlasting Dominion : The History Of The Future -- Seventy Weeks And Seventy Weeks Of Years : Daniel's Prayer And Gabriel's Revelation -- The One Like A Son Of Man And Other Heavenly Beings In Daniel -- Interpretations Of Daniel In Early Jewish Literature -- Interpretations Of Daniel In The New Testament (except Revelation) -- Interpretations Of Daniel In The Apocalypse -- Typological Patterns : Daniel In Biblical Theology. James M. Hamilton Jr. Includes Bibliographical References (pages 237-246) And Indexes. The Ancient Christian Commentary on Scripture series is an ecumenical project, promoting a vital link of communication between the varied Christian traditions of today and their common ancient ancestors in the faith. On this shared ground we listen as leading pastoral theologians of six centuries gather around the text of Scripture and offer their best theological, spiritual and pastoral insights. With the aid of computer technology, the vast array of writings from the church fathers-- including much that is available only in the ancient languages-- have been searched for their comment on Scripture, then hand-selected by scholars who then shaped and annotated the materials to introduce it to today's readers. Each portion of commentary has been chosen for its salient insight, its rhetorical power and its faithful representation of the consensual exegesis of the early church.--Book jacket and publisher's website Ernest Lucas postpones much of the discussion of such issues to an Epilogue, and invites the reader to an investigation of the meaning of the text in the form in which we now have it. He identifies the central theme of the book as the sovereignty of the God of Israel. With even-handedness and clarity, he demonstrates that, for preachers and teachers, there is much in Daniel that is fairly readily understandable and applicable, and that there are also theological depths that are rewarding for those willing to plumb them and wrestle with the issues they raise 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.--Publisher description Montgomery (1927: 12) comments that the MT of Daniel has an unusual amount of variation both in the K and the Q and in variant readings of the MS.