Childs, B.S. Old Testament Theology in a Canonical Context. London: SCM, 1985.

Analysis of the organization of the book:

A.Introduction

• 1. Introduction to OT Theology: Modern Discussion and the rise of this approach.
• If Canon is the most important thing, then what is meant by revelation ?

I. Message (from God : the Sender)

B. Basic assumption

• 2. OT as revelation:
• 3. How God is known: 4. God's Purpose 5. God's Law 6. knowing & doing God's will
• Then what is the content of the revelation ? (Content of the Message)

C. The Law of God [Decalogue --> Torah ---> the whole Bible]

7. Decalogue (unmediated divine message) 8. Ritual & Purity Laws (supplement to decalogue) [p.53]

II. Recipients (to Israel{mediator} ---> all humanity)

D. Recipients of God's revelation

9. Israel as God's chosen people.

III. Mediators of the divine Message

E. The Agents of his rule (from prophets to kings)

• 10. Moses, Judges, Kings
• 11. Prophets: function & office + 12. false prophets
• 13. Priests: role + 14. cultus

IV. Responses demanded

F. Doing God's will in our life (principle)

• 15. Israel' s institutions as guideline
• 16. Human sexuality
• 17. Theological dimensions of being human

G. Doing God's will in our life (in practice)

• 18. The shape of the Obedient Life
• 19-20. The shape of life under promise and threat

Other clues:

1. Divine imperatives throughout OT in "the narrative, legal, prophetic and wisdow literature." [p.58]

2. How God is known?

Creation [Gen], Wisdom [Prov.] , History[Ps & prophets], Name [Ex]. [pp.30-39]

3. Theological reflections in a canonical context [pp.214-218]

Ps; Prophets; Histories & writings; Patriarchal narratives.

4. Latvus' attempt : [in his notes p.3]

God's rev & will /law (esp. decalogue); mediators of God's message.

Questions:

1. What is Canonical Approach ?

It stress that the received text, canon, should guide us to interpret the text; rather than the traditional historical approach. [note p.3; cf. Childs pp.6-8]

2. What is the content of this Book ?

3. What is the peculiar contribution of this method compared to other two methods ?

4. What is the process of transmission ? A received text by the community of faith who apply it according to historical situation. [p.12]

Childs, B.S. Old Testament Theology in a Canonical Context. London: SCM, 1985.

Analysis of the organization of the book: on Childs' Canonical Approach. This is an attempt to analyze the organization of his book. This book is required by Dr. Latvus to be used in the exam. of OT Theology. I enjoy reading the whole book.