Against the Gods: The Polemical Theology of the Old Testament

by John D. Currid

Publisher:

Crossway

, 2013

Overview

Did the Old Testament writers borrow ideas from their pagan neighbors? And if they did, was it done uncritically? John Currid, a distinguished Old Testament scholar and archaeologist engages with this controversial question by carefully comparing the biblical text to other ancient Near Eastern documents. Well-researched and thoughtfully nuanced, Currid aims to outline the precise relationship between the biblical worldview and that of Israel’s neighbors.

Contents

Top Highlights

“The purpose of polemical theology is to demonstrate the essential distinctions between Hebrew thought and ancient Near Eastern beliefs and practices.” (Page 26)

“The Hebrew creation account simply understands the deep as the primal world ocean that God created at the beginning of time.” (Page 42)

“The inclusion of large sea creatures in the Hebrew creation account can be seen as a polemic against that Canaanite myth. In the Hebrew account, Yahweh created the great sea creatures, and they were not in rebellion against him. Yahweh is sovereign, and he need not battle against such creatures to bring about creation.” (Pages 44–45)

“To the point, many evangelical Old Testament scholars emphasize the similarities and parallels between ancient Near Eastern literature and biblical writings, and they do not recognize, to any great degree, the foundational differences between the two.” (Page 23)

“The ancient Egyptians believed that life originated from preexistent primordial waters (Nun), and this concept of a watery chaos is akin to the opening of the Enuma Elish.” (Page 38)

Product Details

• Title: Against the Gods: The Polemical Theology of the Old Testament
• Author: John D. Currid
• Publisher: Crossway
• Print Publication Date: 2013
• Logos Release Date: 2016
• Language: English
• Resources: 1
• Format: Digital › Logos Research Edition
• Subjects: Bible. O.T. › Criticism, interpretation, etc; Middle Eastern literature › History and criticism; Polemics › Religious aspects
• ISBNs: 9781433531835, 9781433531866, 9781433531842, 9781433531859, 1433531836, 1433531860, 1433531844, 1433531852
• Resource ID: LLS:GNSTGDSLDTSTMNT
• Resource Type: Monograph
• Metadata Last Updated: 2022-09-30T00:18:15Z

About John D. Currid

John D. Currid is Carl McMurray Professor of Old Testament at the Reformed Theological Seminary in Jackson, Mississippi. He received his PhD in archaeology from the Oriental Institute at the University of Chicago. He has several books in print, including the Welwyn Commentary on Habakkuk.