James M. Hamilton - Gods Glory in Salvation Through Judgment: A Biblical Theology

As readers of Scripture we long to know the message of the Bible as a whole. We do not want to miss the forest for the trees. Unfortunately, there are few books that help us to be faithful to the whole counsel of God. What a delight, then, to read Jim Hamiltons book where the story line of the Scriptures is unfolded. Hamilton rightly sees that the glory of God is at the center of the scriptural record, demonstrating with careful attention to the biblical text the supremacy of God in both the Old Testament and the New. Scholars, students, and laypeople will all profit from reading this work, which instructs the mind, enlivens the heart, and summons us to obedience.

Thomas R. Schreiner, James Buchanan Harrison Professor of New Testament Interpretation, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary

In an era when centers in general no longer hold, Hamilton makes a strong case for the centrality to biblical theology of what C. H. Dodd called the two-beat rhythm of biblical history: salvation through judgment. Hamilton discovers this theme in every book of the Bible and argues that it is the heartbeat of Gods ultimate purpose: the publication of his glory. In seeking to do justice to scriptural unity and diversity alike, Hamiltons work represents biblical theology at its best.

Kevin Vanhoozer, Blanchard Professor of Theology, Wheaton College Graduate School

Centered on the important themes of salvation and judgment, Hamiltons book models well how a thematic approach toward biblical theology might be applied to the whole of Scripture. It is to be warmly welcomed as an invitation to reflect on biblical truth and an opportunity to dialogue on how the unity of the Old and New Testaments may be articulated best.

T. Desmond Alexander, Senior Lecturer in Biblical Studies and Director of Postgraduate Studies, Union Theological College

Who said that the search for a center in biblical theology is a dead end? In this bold and courageous book, which deals with the entire Bible, James Hamilton Jr. dons the mantle of an explorer in search of the holy grail of biblical theology. As he journeys through the Bible, there are many sights in the biblical landscape that will arrest the attention of those who accompany him, including the pivotal revelation of God in Exodus 34:67. Hamiltons thoughtful analysis and reflection provide many insights into the biblical text. While you may not agree with all of his conclusions, you wont come back from your journey with him without a greater sense of Gods majesty and glory. Rather than being a dead end, this is a gateway into a new world.

Stephen Dempster, Stuart E. Murray Associate Professor of Religious Studies, Atlantic Baptist University

Gods Glory in Salvation through Judgment: A Biblical Theology
Copyright 2010 by James M. Hamilton Jr.
Published by Crossway
1300 Crescent Street
Wheaton, Illinois 60187

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopy, recording, or otherwise, without the prior permission of the publisher, except as provided for by USA copyright law.

Cover design: Amy Bristow
Cover photo: The Delivery of IsraelPharaoh and his hosts overwhelmed in the Red Sea, 1825, by Francis Danby (17931861); Harris Museum and Art Gallery, Preston, Lancashire, UK/The Bridgeman Art Library
Interior Design and Typesetting: Lakeside Design Plus

First printing 2010
Printed in the United States of America

Unless otherwise noted, translations of the biblical text are my own. I have sometimes used the English Standard Version as a base text, altering it somewhat, and always changing Lord to Yahweh.

Scripture quotations marked ESV are from the ESV Bible ( The Holy Bible, English Standard Version ), copyright 2001 by Crossway. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations marked NASB are from The New American Standard Bible . Copyright The Lock-man Foundation 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977. Used by permission.

Scripture quotations marked NIV are from the Holy Bible, New International Version . Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984 Biblica. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved. The NIV and New International Version trademarks are registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by Biblica. Use of either trademark requires the permission of Biblica.

Scripture quotations marked NKJV are from The New King James Version . Copyright 1982, Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission.

Scripture references marked NRSV are from The New Revised Standard Version . Copyright 1989 by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the U.S.A. Published by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the U.S.A.

Hardcover ISBN:	978-1-58134-976-4
PDF ISBN:	978-1-4335-2133-1
Mobipocket ISBN:	978-1-4335-2134-8
ePub ISBN:	978-1-4335-2135-5

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Crossway is a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.

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Chapter 1. Can the Center Hold?

1 Introduction2 Do Things Fall Apart? (Is There a Unity in the Bibles Diversity?)2.1 Finding Our Way in the Widening Gyre: The History and Purpose of Biblical Theology2.2 How Do We Define the Center of Biblical Theology?2.3 How Do We Identify the Center of Biblical Theology?3 Mere Anarchy Is Loosed upon the World: The Plethora of Proposed Centers4 The World Is Charged with the Grandeur of God: Proposed Centers and the Center5 Salvation through Judgment to the Glory of God: What Does This Phrase Mean?6 Like Shining from Shook Foil

Chapter 2. Gods Glory in Salvation through Judgment in the Torah

1 Introduction1.1 The Story of Torah Book by Book2 Genesis2.1 The Heavens Proclaim the Glory of God2.1.1 The Gods of the Nations2.1.2 The Purity and Power of the God of the Bible2.1.3 Gender for the Glory of God2.1.4 The Primeval Temple2.2 Paradise Lost2.3 Blessing and Cursing, Judging and Saving2.4 The Justice of God: Genesis 3:152.5 The Justice of God: Genesis 3:162.6 The Justice of God: Genesis 3:17192.7 The Mercy of God: The Seed of the Woman2.8 The Center of the Theology of Genesis3 Exodus3.1 Salvation through Judgment at the Exodus3.2 From Egypt to Sinai3.3 At Sinai3.4 The Glorious Name: Exodus 32343.5 The Center of the Theology of Exodus4 Leviticus Excursus: Leviticus 18 and Deuteronomy 30 in Romans 104.1 The Center of the Theology of Leviticus5 Numbers5.1 The Center of the Theology of Numbers6 Deuteronomy6.1 From Sinai to Moab6.2 Motivation to Obey6.2.1 Reasons to Obey6.2.2 Out of the Midst of the Fire6.2.3 Israels Heart Problem6.2.4 Life under Law6.3 The Covenant Stipulations6.4 Moses Last Will and Testament6.5 The Center of the Theology of Deuteronomy7 The Center of the Theology of the Torah8 Appendix: Exodus 34:67 in the Law, Prophets, and Writings8.1 Exodus 34:67 in the Law8.2 Exodus 34:67 in the Prophets8.3 Exodus 34:67 in the Writings8.4 Less Certain Allusions8.4.1 In the Law8.4.2 In the Prophets8.4.3 In the Writings