Synopses & Reviews
Seeking to Bridge the Existing Gap between biblical studies and systematic theology, this distinctive series offers section-by-section exegesis of the Old Testament texts in close conversation with theological concerns. Written by respected scholars, the THOTC volumes aim to help pastors, teachers, and students engage in deliberately theological interpretation of Scripture.
In this volume Robin Parry not only builds on traditional scholarship to interpret the book of Lamentations within its ancient context but also ventures further, exploring how the book can function as Christian Scripture. Parry provides the first systematic attempt to read Lamentations in light of the cross and resurrection as Israel's Holy Saturday literature, filled with the cries of those caught between the death of Jerusalem at the hands of the Babylonians and its rebirth.
While Lamentations has been sadly neglected by a culture averse to grief and tragedy, this anguished poetry of pain especially when read through the lens of Christ's agony and death has much to teach us about life, God, and the right response to human suffering.
"This beautifully lucid commentary combines careful and informed scholarship with profound theological insight. As such it will serve theologians, students, and preachers alike as an invaluable resource in interpreting this underappreciated book in the Old Testament."Alan Torrance University of St Andrews
Synopsis
Traditional scholarly commentaries aspire to open up biblical texts in the light of their ancient social and cultural contexts. In this commentary Robin Parry seeks to take the insights of such works seriously yet also move far beyond them by considering Lamentations within ever-expanding canonical and contemporary contexts. How do the words of Lamentations resonate when read in the context of Jeremiah? Or in the contexts of Isaiah 4055, the New Testament, the history of Christian anti-Semitism, or the suffering of victims today?
The question at the heart of this unusual engagement with the text is How can Lamentations function as Christian scripture? Parry argues that the key to answering this question is to follow the ancient liturgical tradition of the church and to see the text in the light of the death and resurrection of Israels Messiah Jesus. According to Parry, Lamentations is Israels Holy Saturday literature the cries of those caught between the death of Jerusalem and its resurrection. In this context Christians are able to make connections between this anguished Israelite poetry, the sufferings of Jesus, and the sufferings of the world.
These biblical-theological links have the potential to open up fresh and imaginative theological, doxological, and pastoral encounters with a sadly neglected biblical book.
Synopsis
In this volume Robin Parry not only builds on traditional scholarship to interpret the book of Lamentations within its ancient context but also ventures further, exploring how the book can function as Christian Scripture. Parry provides the first systematic attempt to read Lamentations in light of the cross and resurrection. --from publisher description
About the Author
Robin A. Parry is former editorial director of Paternoster Press, Carlisle, UK.