Waltke unpacks this issue more fully in chapter 6 of An Old Testament Theology: An Exegetical, Canonical, and Thematic Approach, but I have only made it into chapter 2. However, Waltke has already provided a sense of direction by addressing the issue of the unity of the Bible in chapter 1.Having set forth his conservative presuppositions regarding revelation, inspiration, and illumination, Waltke lays out "four ideological and methodological stances...critical to the discipline of biblical theology...assumed in this book" (p. 39). The fourth implication of his presuppositions is his belief in the unity of the Bible. In terms somewhat similar to those of Oehler's definition of special revelation, Waltke reveals what he believes to be the common theme of the Bible, namely,
that God is establishing his kingship over a hostile world to establish his glory. The bond that unites the testaments is the sense of God's divine activity in revelatory history in progressively establishing his rule in heaven on earth from the creation of the cosmos (Genesis 1) to his creation of the new cosmos (Revelation 21-22). (p. 45)I am compelled to add that in this section Waltke directs the reader via a footnote to Christopher J. H. Wright's Knowing Jesus Through the Old Testament (IVP, 1992) calling it "a superb work" (p. 45, fn. 50). I have not yet read this book, but I recently finished reading Wright's latest book, Salvation Belongs to Our God (IVP, 2008) which seeks to present a cosmic view of God's saving work. Wright, an Old Testament scholar too, is a must read for those interested in Biblical Theology.
Also,
...for his glory God is breaking into this hostile world with his rule... (p. 51)
Wow. Once again, men are making things more complicated than they are concerning God and His message. The one common theme of the bible is love. That's it. All God ever tried to do was show His love for us, and teach us to love Him and one another. All the Laws were set up for just this purpose. Those who chose not to love God and others were destroyed.
ReplyDeleteHow then does God manifest his love in both testaments? Is there a unifying manifestation of his love?
ReplyDeleteI believe Waltke would agree that love is the motivation for "progressively establishing his rule in heaven and on earth." The establishment of his rule is the manifestation of his love. I don't see Waltke's view as complicating the matter at all.
Thanks for reading and commenting!