Grace in the End [Paperback]

Dr. Gordon McConville (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 9, 1993 | Series: Studies in Old Testament Biblical Theology

The book of Deuteronomy is one of the great theological documents of the Bible. The main lines of its thought can be traced not only in the book itself, but throughout the Old Testament, especially in the historical books from Joshua to 2 Kings--hence the term 'Deuteronomic theology.' In this book, the first in a series on Studies in the Old Testament Biblical Theology, McConville surveys and evaluates both older and more recent scholarly approaches to Deuteronomic theology. He shows how Israel persistently failed to keep God's covenant by rejecting him and relying on themselves instead. For that reason, God consistently brought his judgment on them, but that was not his final word to them. They survived as a nation only because of God's overpowering grace; there is grace in history in the end.

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

The book of Deuteronomy is one of the great theological documents of the Bible. The main lines of its thought can be traced not only in the book itself, but throughout the Old Testament, especially in the historical books from Joshua to 2 Kings--hence the term "Deuteronomic theology." In this book, the first in a series on Studies in the Old Testament Biblical Theology, McConville surveys and evaluates both older and more recent scholarly approaches to Deuteronomic theology. He shows how Israel persistently failed to keep God's covenant by rejecting him and relying on themselves instead. For that reason, God consistently brought his judgement on them, but that was not his final word to them. They survived as a nation only because of God's overpowering grace; there is grace in history in the end.

About the Author

J. Gordon McConville is professor of Old Testament and Hebrew at Wycliffe Hall, Oxford, and is a member of the Faculty of Theology at Oxford University. He is the author of Law and Theology in Deuteronomy and Judgement and Promise: Interpreting the Book of Jeremiah.

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 18 and up
  
• Paperback: 176 pages
• Publisher: Zondervan (April 9, 1993)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0310514215
• ISBN-13: 978-0310514213
• Product Dimensions: 7.8 x 5.1 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #745,753 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

J. Gordon McConville is professor of Old Testament and Hebrew at Wycliffe Hall, Oxford, and is a member of the Faculty of Theology at Oxford University. He is the author of Law and Theology in Deuteronomy and Judgement and Promise: Interpreting the Book of Jeremiah.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4.0 out of 5 stars Deuteronomic Theology, February 5, 2009

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Raincheck (Moncton, NB Canada) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Grace in the End (Paperback)

This book is the first in a series of five "Studies In Old Testament Biblical Theology" from the mid-1990's.

The author surveys and evaluates scholarly approaches to Deuteronomic Theology, which is the line of thought from the book of Deuteronomy traced throughout the OT, but especially in Joshua-2 Kings (excluding Ruth), the section called the Former Prophets in the Hebrew Scriptures.

The author makes a good case on the origin and composition of the book at an early stage of Israel's history, versus the general scholarly unanimity that dates it either as post-exilic or at the 7th century BC, in particular with King Josiah's reform.

He also describes DT in terms of the interplay of ideas within the book itself, where promise is often held in tension with command. He fleshes out the themes of the two institutions of king and cult, and of the righteousness of God as the basis of God's election of a people for Himself, and finally how DT makes its presence felt in the NT.

Since I'm neither a student nor a scholar much of this was new to me, which makes it hard to write a cogent review. I learned a lot, and it was worth the trouble to read and re-read small portions at a time throughout a day rather than jumping ahead.