A Handbook on the Jewish Roots of the Christian Faith

Date

• 2019

Summary

A reference work examining the historical, cultural, and theological world of Judaism in the Second Temple period, showing how the beliefs, practices, institutions, and Scriptures of ancient Israel provide the context for understanding Jesus, the New Testament, and the origins of Christianity.

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Highlights & Reflections

The Fall

The blessed conditions described in Gen 2 embody God’s original, intended purpose for the creation: perfect humankind created in the image of God was to rule over a perfect creation as God’s representatives. This is the archetype of the “kingdom of God on earth” as God himself intended it to be (Merrill 1987, 298)

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Genesis 3 describes the immediate effects of sin on humans and the world which was under their dominion: Adam and Eve experienced true moral guilt (v. 7), alienation from God (vv. 8-10), and alienation from one another (vv. 11-12). Their physical existence would be characterized by painful labor in a cursed world, and ultimately they would die (vv.16-19).

My thoughts

This quote felt such a great explanation on the danger and outcomes of sin, not only they had ‘inward’ consequences (guilt and shame), they also had ‘outward’ consequences (alienation from each other), ‘upwards’ (alienation from God) and even creation itself as they now would have to labor and death entered the world. Scripture repeatedly reminds us that the consequences of sin are profound, but I do not think I had fully appreciated the weight of the original sin until reading this passage.

Reading this passage also reminded me of The First and Second Books of Adam and Eve. Although it is not part of Scripture and was written much later, I appreciated the way it imaginatively depicts Adam and Eve’s grief, despair, and longing after their expulsion from Eden. It helped me reflect on the magnitude of what humanity lost through sin, not merely a beautiful garden, but intimate communion with God.

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God took an innocent animal and, killing it, made garments of skin to cover the nakedness of Adam and Eve. A death did in fact take place on that day; but it was the death of an innocent substitute which allowed the sinful couple to live on.

My thoughts

I think it’s fairly easy to pass by the passage of Genesis and not understand the weight of the passage “And the LORD God made garments of skins for the man and for his wife, and clothed them” (Genesis 3:21), reading the passage, it made me think that it was just God creating clothes out of his word, but reading this passage it made me wonder that perhaps it wasn’t exactly that.

Many Christian commentators have seen in this episode the first hint of substitutionary sacrifice: an innocent life is given so that the guilty may continue to live. Whether or not Genesis intends this as a direct institution of sacrifice, it forms a striking pattern that reaches its fulfillment in Christ. As Noam Hendren later observes, “A full restoration would require something more.”

God’s Plans and Covenants

But God was not willing to abandon his plan or the people whom he had made. As he pronounced the curse he also promised and provided redemption.

My thoughts

We see this over and over with the various covenants, second chances and liberties that God has allowed the chosen people to do. This also reminded me of Ezekiel where God Itself says that He takes no pleasure on the death of anyone and how He wants us all to repent and lead a righteous life. This is perhaps the right quote to start the section on God’s plans and covenants with His people.

About this Book

• Type: Reference / Essay Collection
• Purpose: Historical and theological background to Scripture
• Reading alongside: Gospel of Matthew, Ignatius Catholic Study Bible, Catena Aurea

Source

A Handbook on the Jewish Roots of the Christian Faith

Edited by Craig A. Evans and David Mishkin Published by Hendrickson Publishers

Note: Quotations on this page are taken from this edition unless otherwise stated.