New Release! The Seed of Promise Explores the Protoevangelium
Biblical scholarship has long been concerned with the connections between the Old Testament and the New Testament. How might a more thorough understanding of the former engender a richer appreciation for the latter (and vice versa)? What themes transcend each testament? What do those themes tell us about the nature of the relationship between God and humanity? And, how can scholarship in this area build up the local body of believers for the good of the world and the glory of God?
Dr. T. Desmond Alexander (Desi to his friends) is Senior Lecturer in Biblical Studies at Union Theological College, a world-renown scholar, and a prolific writer. His work in establishing grand metanarratives from Genesis through Revelation has profoundly influenced the trajectory of Biblical Theology as an academic discipline. Moreover, Desi’s contributions in bringing together the worlds of the Old and New Testaments has benefited not only the academy, but very often the church.
It is with gratitude for Desi and his many years of humble service that we have recently published a Festschrift in his honor—The Seed of Promise: The Sufferings and Glory of the Messiah. In this volume, seventeen highly accomplished international scholars trace the biblical theological theme of Genesis 3:15 (the Protoevangelium) through a series of essays. Here are select abstracts:
Dr. James M. Hamilton Jr. provides an inner-biblical interpretation of Gen 3:15. He first presents us with a contextual framework, salvation through judgment, for understanding the promise and the perpetual conflict between the woman and the serpent. Then, he walks us through “a catalog of the intertextual use of the theme of the smashing of the skulls of the enemies of God.” Finally, he examines the crushing of the servant in Isaiah, and the New Testament allusions to the crushing or trampling of serpents under the feet of the children of God.
Dr. Gary Miller traces the messianic theme through an examination of King Solomon, King Hezekiah, and King Josiah. Miller analyzes the ambiguity of each of the kings: on the one hand, each is portrayed as an exemplar of Judahite royalty; on the other, each abjectly failed. These characters push the reader to look for another King, one “greater than Solomon,” who will embody all the strengths of the line of David and none of the weaknesses.
Dr. Andreas J. Köstenberger interprets key Johannine passages through the lens of Gen 3:15. First, he establishes Jesus as the “seed” of Abraham and David in the fourth gospel; second, he aligns “believers with the messianic ‘seed’ of the woman by way of the Spirit;” third, he identifies the cosmic struggle in Rev 12:17 with the enmity between the two seeds as first described in Genesis.
Dr. Rita F. Cefalu analyzes the redemptive-historical significance of Peter’s speeches in Acts 2–3. In particular, she examines the Davidic and Abrahamic covenants and demonstrates how key Psalms, 2 Sam 7:12–13, Gen 22:15–18, and multiple Isaianic passages point forward to one promised “seed,” namely Jesus Christ.
These scholars, and many more, have continued the discussion Desi has often led in raising the questions: How does God’s promise in Genesis develop throughout the whole biblical corpus, and how does it ultimately find fulfillment in Jesus Christ? Understanding this grand metanarrative of Scripture is crucial for perceiving both the heart and works of God throughout the whole of history. We invite you to step into the conversation today.
For the next two weeks, The Seed of Promise: The Sufferings and Glory of the Messiah will be on sale for an introductory price of $24.99 (paperback). Click here to make a purchase.
To your studies!
P.S. If you'd like to see the GlossaHouse team and the contributors of this volume "surprising" Desi with the announcement of this publication, be sure to check out the video on the product page (see here).