L. Michael Morales - Who Shall Ascend the Mountain of the Lord?: A Biblical Theology of the Book of Leviticus

As the central book of the Pentateuch, Leviticus contains the heart of its theology and has much to unfold regarding the nature of God and the plight of humanity. The churchs understanding of Leviticus is foundational for grasping the story of the Bible in its depth and beauty, and for discernment concerning a whole array of pressing issues, such as the substance and nature of the Mosaic covenant, the worship of God, and the person and work of Jesus Christ. My hope and prayer in this endeavour is to provide the church with a theological entry into Leviticus in the context of both the Pentateuch and the New Testament, an entry that will strengthen feeble hands and make firm the weak knees, and lead to a renewed glorying in her heavenly access to the Father through the new and living way. To pursue this aim has meant that many aspects of Leviticus, from defining atonement to competing methodologies in ritual theory, and so on, which are topics of scholarly debate requiring much nuanced discussion and argumentation, have necessarily been avoided.

Much of this work was written while teaching at Reformation Bible College, and I remain grateful for blessed days there for the leadership of Dr R. C. Sproul, Mr Chris Larson and Dr Steve Nichols; for the friendship of my former colleagues Dave Briones, Aaron Denlinger, Ben Dunson, Keith Mathison and R. C. Sproul Jr.; for Heidi Fraser and the rest of the kind staff; and for the students who made teaching at RBC such an insightful joy. Keith was kind enough to read a draft of the manuscript and to offer helpful feedback. I also express my gratitude to Mr Ryan Fraser who turned my whiteboard line drawings into digital illustrations, both helpful and beautiful thank you, my friend.

This books last chapter was written during my transition to the post of professor of biblical studies at Greenville Presbyterian Theological Seminary, and I offer here my warm gratitude to Dr Joseph Pipa Jr., along with the board of directors, the faculty, staff and students for their kind reception. Rev. Peter van Doodewaard and his dear family hosted me for three weeks during this transition, for which I remain grateful. My family and I were then hosted for months by the Ben Daniel family (I write this preface from their basement). May the Lord repay your kindness according to his riches in glory.

Some of this material was taught during courses for which I served as an adjunct at Reformed Theological Seminary in Orlando my thanks to Drs Ligon Duncan and Scott Swain for those opportunities. Thank you also to Michael Farrell, a most resourceful librarian, who graciously obtained for me so many of the books and articles I needed for this and various other projects.

For their patient and careful editorial labours on this project, I thank Don Carson and Philip Duce; it has been a privilege to have their help and guidance. Much appreciation also goes to Eldo Barkhuizen for his diligence as copy editor of this work.

My gratitude to the Lord continues to abound for the session (including my father), deacons and flock of Grace Presbyterian Church in America (Stuart, Fla.), and now also for Woodruff Road Presbyterian Church in America (Greenville, S.C.).