New study of priesthood in the Old and New Testaments

The language of 'christophanies' is used technically by scholars to refer to appearances of the incarnate Son of God after his resurrection, as narrated in the New Testament Gospels and Acts. At a more popular level, though, the term is increasingly applied to alleged appearances of the pre-incarnate Son in the Old Testament. That Jesus appeared to - and was even recognized by - the likes of Abraham and Moses is usually argued from several scriptural trajectories. The New Testament suggests that God the Father is invisible, inviting us to ask who conducted the Old Testament appearances; the mysterious Angel of the Lord has often been interpreted as a manifestation of the divine Son; and several New Testament passages imply Old Testament appearances of and encounters with Jesus. It seems obvious, indeed orthodox, to affirm that Jesus has always been at work in communicating with and saving his world. However, Andrew Malone argues that, while Christ-centred readings of the Old Testament abound, christophanies prove to be a flimsy foundation on which to build. Despite apparent success, any scholarship commending the idea does not withstand close scrutiny. Malone carefully sifts the evidence to show that the popular arguments should be abandoned, and that the pursuit of Old Testament christophanies ultimately threatens to undermine the very values it promotes. He concludes that it better honours the Trinity and the text of Scripture to allow that the Father and the Spirit, as well as the Son, were themselves involved in Old Testament appearances.

The ministry of aEURO~serving GodaEURO (TM)s wordsaEURO (TM) in the Christian church has numerous aspects, including exposition of the Bible, systematic and historical theology, church history, and the practice of pastoral ministry. This stimulating and helpful volume begins with perspectives on preaching and ministry arising from the Scriptures themselves: Richard Condie on the Ten Commandments, Paul Barker on Moses, David Peterson on Acts, David Jackman on 1 Corinthians, Allan Chapple on 1 Thessalonians, and William Taylor on 1 Timothy. Next are reflections on theological and devotional issues: Don Carson on devotional Bible reading, Graham Cole on ethics, Peter Jensen on judgment, and Michael Raiter on unction. Two concluding studies look at significant examples from church history: Gerald Bray on the Anglican Homilies, and Vaughan Roberts on Charles Simeon. Serving GodaEURO (TM)s Words was commissioned in honour of Peter Adam, whose own works Speaking GodaEURO (TM)s Words (on preaching) and Hearing GodaEURO (TM)s Words (on biblical spirituality) it seeks to complement and develop. The contributors include scholars and pastoral ministers, a combination that Peter Adam has himself so ably embodied throughout his ministry, and sought to cultivate in others.