I will return to Amos 9 in the next post, but I came across these two articles on the web recently and wanted to make them part of the discussion / your consideration. One is on Paul’s use of the OT (it draws on the next article) and the other is on how Jesus used the OT. I think you’ll find each one interesting.
Paul and Jesus: Their Use of the Old Testament
Never heard of “testimony book hypothesis”. As best as I can see, it is a “Cliffs Notes” for young, up-and-coming rabbis with bad memories. I guess I miss the significance of it. If they were used extensively, wouldn’t there be more found? (3000 years from now, archeologists ought to find many Cliffs Notes around abandoned college campuses – finding one with the DDS’s isn’t widespread use). If they had different spins on OT verses, and they were used as a common source by Paul and others, why weren’t they eventually incorporated in later updated OT versions of scriptures? (i.e. the LXX added a “book of testimonies”). Regardless, I still miss the point of their significance. I would REALLY like to see someone write a short concise summary of the two paper’s points. I’m glad I took physics insead of theology in college. Physics is much simplier.
this one made me laugh (the last line). I just bought a mini-course on quantum physics. I doubt whether I’ll feel like it’s easy, but I know it’s important (and I’m interested — just intimidated).
For what its worth, I appreciate these two brief yet insightful articles. I believe this topic youre addressing is crucial to a Gospel/Christ-centered hermeneutic. I dont know how I lived without Carson and Beales Commentary on the NT use of the OT; invaluable resource which has proved helpful (along with Beales book in NSBT series The Temple and the Mission of the Church) in my developing a biblical theological understanding of the Church and the Kingdom of God. Also, and more specifically related to the article on Pauls use of Isaiah in Romans, Im looking forward to Barrys book The Resurrected Servant in Isaiah that you recommended awhile ago but is just now available for shipping through amazon.com. Again, I thanks for the posts on this topic.
you’re welcome, Mark — and you’re right; this area is pretty important. I’ll tell John Barry he has a customer!