Genesis 1 and Shaping a Christian Worldview
Daniel Kirk, author of Unlocking Romans, shared a few thoughts on his blog about J. Richard Middleton’s book The Liberating Image: The Imago Dei in Genesis 1.
You can read his thoughts in Image as Function in Gen 1, Liberating Image: Imago Dei in ANE Context, and Liberating Image: Some concluding remarks. Although I have not read the book yet, it looks like the type of book I would enjoy reading.
Here is what Peter Enns has to say about it:
“The Liberating Image is a balanced yet challenging articulation of the Imago Dei in Genesis, its ancient Near Eastern context, and its present-day theological implications. By locating himself in his postmodern context, Middleton brings a refreshing hermeneutical self-consciousness to the scholarly task, which is aimed at providing a substantive and compelling argument without posing as the last word. His analysis of Imago Dei in Genesis in the context of ancient Near Eastern religions leads Middleton to the conclusion that the Israelite theological traditions of Genesis 1-11 are recontextualized in conscious opposition to ideological categories of Mesopotamia. That Israel’s story promotes the dignity of all humans, not just of the royal or priestly classes, should have vital ethical implications for today.”
I accidentally ran across a few lectures by Dr. Middleton, and, although at first I had not recognized his name, I immediately recognized the title of his book. There is one lecture entitled In the Beginning God Created the Heavens and the Earth: Responsible Interpretation of Genesis 1 in Ancient and Contemporary Contexts where Dr. Middleton talks about how one goes about interpreting Genesis 1 responsibly (i. e. you should read it “literally,” but you have to listen to the lecture to find out what he means by “literal”). Those familiar with John Walton and G. K. Beale’s works will find some similarities in his approach in terms of Genesis’ function and temple imagery. The Q and A was interesting with some provocative answers. There are also two Chapel talks at Greenville College that are somewhat short but well worth listening. In the first he talks about creation and in the second about redemption. The second lecture pretty much covers the content of his essay A New Heaven and a New Earth: The Case for a Holistic Reading of the Biblical Story of Redemption (Journal for Christian Theological Research 11 [2006] 73-97). This lecture and essay will resonate with those who liked N. T. Wright’s Surprised by Hope. I really enjoyed reading the essay and it is a great way for those who have not read Wright’s book to become familiar with the premise that what the bible envisages for the eschaton is not heaven as the final destination but new heavens and a new earth (i. e. new creation).
Here is a quote where he ties in the idea of heaven and salvation as pointing towards what will eventually happen on earth:
“The common assumption of the New Testament is that heaven is the place where salvation is being prepared for the faithful, until God’s kingdom comes in its fullness. Quite consistently, the New Testament describes salvation (sometimes described as a city, a building, a kingdom or an inheritance) as being ‘prepared,’ ‘kept’ or ‘reserved’ for Christians in heaven (where their citizenship presently is), only to be revealed at the last day – on earth” (A New Heaven and a New Earth, p. 93).
This should give you an idea of how he is approaching things. I recommend that you listen to all lectures and read the essay because, even if you don’t agree with everything he says, I am sure your thinking about these matters will be stimulated.
Well, now all that is left for me is to read his book.
In the Beginning God Created the Heavens and the Earth: Responsible Interpretation of Genesis 1 in Ancient and Contemporary Contexts
by J. Richard Middleton
Lecture (Q & A 1 and Q & A 2) (right-click and select “Save Target As…”)
The Transforming Vision: Shaping a Christian Worldview
by J. Richard Middleton
Lecture 1 and Lecture 2 (right-click and select “Save Target As…”)
