Ezekiel
About
Pastors and leaders of the classical church—such as Augustine, Calvin, Luther, and Wesley—interpreted the Bible theologically, believing Scripture as a whole witnessed to the gospel of Jesus Christ. Modern interpreters of the Bible questioned this premise. But in recent decades, a critical mass of theologians and biblical scholars has begun to reassert the priority of a theological reading of Scripture.
The Brazos Theological Commentary on the Bible enlists leading theologians to read and interpret Scripture for the twenty-first century, just as the church fathers, the Reformers, and other orthodox Christians did for their times and places. In this compelling addition to the series, esteemed theologian Robert Jenson presents a theological exegesis of Ezekiel that is well suited for Old Testament, Ezekiel, prophets, and theological interpretation courses.
The general editor for the Brazos Theological Commentary on the Bible is R. R. Reno (editor, First Things). Series editors include Robert W. Jenson (Center of Theological Inquiry); Robert Louis Wilken (University of Virginia); Ephraim Radner (Wycliffe College, University of Toronto); Michael Root (Catholic University of America); and George Sumner (Episcopal Diocese of Dallas).
Volumes in the Brazos Theological Commentary on the Bible
R. R. Reno (editor, First Things) on Genesis Thomas Joseph White (Thomistic Institute at the Angelicum in Rome) on Exodus Ephraim Radner (Wycliffe College, University of Toronto) on Leviticus David L. Stubbs (Western Theological Seminary) on Numbers Telford Work (Westmont College) on Deuteronomy Paul Hinlicky (Roanoke College) on Joshua Laura A. Smit (Calvin University) and Stephen Fowl (Loyola University Maryland) on Judges & Ruth Francesca Aran Murphy (University of Notre Dame) on 1 Samuel Robert Barron (Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Los Angeles) on 2 Samuel Peter J. Leithart (Theopolis Institute for Bible, Liturgy, and Culture) on 1 & 2 Kings Peter J. Leithart (Theopolis Institute for Bible, Liturgy, and Culture) on 1 & 2 Chronicles Matthew Levering (Mundelein Seminary) on Ezra & Nehemiah Samuel Wells (St. Martin-in-the-Fields Anglican Church, London) and George Sumner (Episcopal Diocese of Dallas) on Esther & Daniel Ellen T. Charry (Princeton Theological Seminary) on Psalms 1–50 Jason Byassee (Vancouver School of Theology) on Psalms 101–150 Daniel J. Treier (Wheaton College Graduate School) on Proverbs & Ecclesiastes Paul J. Griffiths on Song of Songs Robert W. Jenson (1930–2017; Center of Theological Inquiry) on Ezekiel Phillip Cary (Eastern University) on Jonah Stanley Hauerwas (Duke Divinity School) on Matthew David Lyle Jeffrey (Baylor University) on Luke Jaroslav Pelikan (1923–2006; Yale University) on Acts Kimlyn J. Bender (Truett Theological Seminary, Baylor University) on 1 Corinthians Kathryn Greene-McCreight (The Episcopal Church at Yale) on Galatians Michael Allen (Reformed Theological Seminary, Orlando) on Ephesians George Hunsinger (Princeton Theological Seminary) on Philippians Christopher R. Seitz (Wycliffe College, University of Toronto) on Colossians Douglas Farrow (McGill University) on 1 & 2 Thessalonians Risto Saarinen (University of Helsinki) on the Pastoral Epistles with Philemon & Jude Douglas Harink (The King’s University College) on 1 & 2 Peter Joseph L. Mangina (Wycliffe College, University of Toronto) on Revelation
Endorsements
"Robert Jenson brings to the interpretation of Ezekiel years of theological study, a deeply trinitarian vision, and an ability to read the Bible as Christian scripture. That combination vivifies the dry bones of much standard biblical exegesis and illumines what is surely one of the strangest of biblical books."--Gilbert Meilaender, Valparaiso University
"Here is a faithful Christocentric reading of Ezekiel that sits happily alongside this Jewish reader's cherished volume of Moshe Greenberg's commentary on Ezekiel. Jenson's Christocentric reading is also a deep reading of this text, drawing up dimensions of form and force and meaning that will also serve the rabbinic reader: not because of any leveling or syncretism, but because, once drawn up, these dimensions may then be drawn forward in their different ways by the differing communities of rabbinic and Christian readers."--Peter Ochs, University of Virginia
Additional comments from Peter Ochs:
"Robert Jenson is as lovingly patient with Ezekiel word's and with the Spirit's unpredictable movements through them as he is impatient with any modern reader's temptation to 'know' the text before moving with it. Here is a reading through which the great 'irresolvable' dichotomies of modern thinking are shown to lack imagination. Jenson's reading shows how a Christologically figural reading can at the same time be non-supersessionist; how a doctrinally Christian reading can attend at the same time to the text as an historical document; how a reading that explicitly addresses our modern prejudices can at the same time attend to the scriptural text as a document of Christian witness; and how a Christian theological reader can honor scriptural law as well as divine grace. This is a commentary that is informed equally by the verses themselves and by the spirit of lifelong theological study. Here Ezekiel meets up with Martin Luther and Karl Barth and this all makes wonderful sense as a careful exegesis of the prophetic texts. Readers are treated to a mutually enriching dialogue between the vast textual and theological wisdoms of one of contemporary Christianity's greatest thinkers."--Peter Ochs, University of Virginia
Praise for the Brazos Theological Commentary on the Bible:
"What a splendid idea! Many preachers have been longing for more commentaries that are not only exegetical but theological in the best sense: arising out of the conviction that God, through his Word, still speaks in our time. For those of us who take our copies of Martin Luther's Galatians and Karl Barth's Romans from the shelves on a regular basis, this new series in that tradition promises renewed vigor for preaching, and therefore for the one, holy, catholic, and apostolic church in our time."--Fleming Rutledge, author of The Bible and The New York Times and The Seven Last Words from the Cross
"This new series places the accent on 'theological' and reflects current interpretive ferment marked by growing resistance to the historical-critical project. It may be that scripture interpretation is too important to be left to the exegetes, and so a return to the theologians. We will wait with great anticipation for this new series, at least aware that the outcomes of interpretation are largely determined by the questions asked. It is never too late to ask better questions; with a focus on the theological tradition, this series holds the promise of asking interpretive questions that are deeply grounded in the primal claims of faith. The rich promise of the series is indicated by the stature and erudition of the commentators. Brazos has enormous promises to keep with this project, and we wait with eagerness for its appearing!"--Walter Brueggemann, Columbia Theological Seminary
"The Brazos Theological Commentary on the Bible makes a most welcome contribution to the church, the academic world, and the general public at large. By enlisting a wide range of Protestant, Catholic, and Orthodox theologians who differ on much, but who agree on the truth of the Nicene Creed, the series also represents ecumenical activity of the very best kind. It is always a daunting challenge to expound the church's sacred book both simply and deeply, but this impressive line-up of authors is very well situated for the attempt."--Mark A. Noll, University of Notre Dame
"Preachers and teachers in particular, but thoughtful Christians more generally, have long lamented the slide of biblical scholarship into hyper-specialized critical studies of ancient texts in remote historical context. It is no wonder, therefore, that the Brazos Theological Commentary is being so warmly welcomed. The outstanding array of authors, beginning with Jaroslav Pelikan's splendid commentary on the Acts of the Apostles, is, at long last, reclaiming the Bible as the book of the living community of faith that is the church."--Richard John Neuhaus, author of American Babylon: Notes of a Christian Exile
"Contemporary application of the Bible to life is the preacher's business. But no worthy contemporary application is possible without a thorough understanding of the ancient text. The Brazos Theological Commentary exists to provide an accessible authority so that the preacher's application will be a ready bandage for all the hurts of life. We who serve the pulpit want a commentary we can understand, and those who hear us expect us to give them a usable word. The Brazos Commentary offers just the right level of light to make illuminating the word the joy it was meant to be."--Calvin Miller, author of A Hunger for the Holy and Loving God Up Close
"For pastors, wanting to get at the theological heart of a text, there is some good stuff. When I am preaching, I usually try to take a peek at the Brazos volume."--Nijay K. Gupta, assistant professor of New Testament, Northeastern Seminary, Roberts Wesleyan College
The Author
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Robert W. Jenson
Robert W. Jenson (1930-2017; DrTheol, University of Heidelberg) was senior scholar for research at the Center of Theological Inquiry. He was the author of numerous books, including On Thinking the Human: Resolutions of Difficult Notions,...
Continue reading about Robert W. Jenson
Reviews
"One of the most powerful trajectories in Jenson's commentary is his use of law and gospel as an interpretive framework. . . . Jenson's comments represent, to my mind, the best of what the Brazos series can offer, namely, critical reflection on how textual claims can positively interact with dogmatic formulations. . . . Although writing as a Protestant theologian to a Christian audience, Jenson is remarkably sensitive to Jewish interpreters. . . . The result of Jenson's study is a creative and rich Christian reading of Ezekiel that exemplifies the theological aims of the Brazos commentary series. Jenson's work should find a home on the desk of any pastor, minister, or lay person who is interested in serious theological engagement with Ezekiel. . . . Jenson's work brings clarity to this often confusing and under-preached prophetic book."--Michael Jay Chan, Word & World
"Engaging and punchy. [Jenson's] introduction arguing for the propriety of a theological reading of the OT is worthwhile in itself."--Ray Van Neste, Preaching
"Jenson's book is a good companion in the venture of reading Ezekiel. . . . The commentary is broken down into the logical units of the text itself, never too unwieldy in length and sometimes quite short if the logic of the passage dictates it. . . . Jenson allows for multiple hands at work in the final text, but since it is after all the canonical text . . . he doesn't trouble himself overmuch about separating out the different strains. They all have something to say; he does his best to illuminate what all these pieces have to say; and he graciously admits defeat when stumped. Not that this happens often. . . . Altogether Jenson's commentary will not infrequently cause discomfort; but I suspect that a comfortable reading of Ezekiel would almost certainly be a faithless one."--Sarah Wilson, Lutheran Forum
"The strength of Jenson's commentary is its ability to show every line of Scripture as vibrant with theological meaning, and it is hoped that this will quicken the imaginations of future interpreters. Readers will often find Jenson's theological reflections provocative and will be rewarded for ruminating on them. . . . This commentary will especially be of use to students and pastors working with a specific passage."--Nathan Chambers, Calvin Theological Journal