Hidden But Now Revealed: A Biblical Theology of Mystery

by G. K. Beale; Benjamin Gladd

Publisher:

IVP

, 2014

Overview

When reading through the Bible, it is impossible to ignore the troubling fact that Israel and its leaders and even Jesus’ own disciples seem unable to fully grasp the messianic identity and climactic mission of Jesus. If his true deity, his death and resurrection and his role in the establishment of God’s eternal kingdom were predicted in the Old Testament and in his own teachings, how could the leading biblical scholars of their time miss it?

This book explores the biblical conception of mystery as an initial, partially hidden revelation that is subsequently more fully revealed, shedding light not only on the richness of the concept itself, but also on the broader relationship between the Old and New Testaments. Exploring all the occurrences of the term mystery in the New Testament and the topics found in conjunction with them, this work unpacks how the New Testament writers understood the issue of continuity and discontinuity. This investigation of the notion of mystery sharpens our understanding of how the Old Testament relates to the New and explores topics such as kingdom, crucifixion, the relationship between Jews and Gentiles and more. As such, it is a model for attentive and faithful biblical theology intended for students, scholars, pastors and lay people who wish to seriously engage the Scriptures.

Key Features

• Explores the themes of biblical mystery, prophecy, and revelation
• Focuses on the use of mystery in the book of Daniel
• Examines the intersection of the Old and New Testaments

Contents

• The Use of Mystery in Daniel
• The Use of Mystery in Early Judaism
• The Use of Mystery in Matthew
• The Use of Mystery in Romans
• The Use of Mystery in 1 Corinthians
• The Use of Mystery in Ephesians
• The Use of Mystery in Colossians
• The Use of Mystery in 2 Thessalonians
• The Use of Mystery in 1 Timothy
• The Use of Mystery in Revelation
• Mystery Without Mystery in the New Testament
• The Christian Mystery and the Pagan Mystery Religions
• Conclusion
• Appendix: The Cognitive Peripheral Vision of Biblical Authors

Top Highlights

“What makes the term mystery so dynamic, even complex, is that the biblical writers sometimes use two definitions simultaneously: (1) God’s wisdom has finally been disclosed, but nevertheless (2) his wisdom remains generally incomprehensible to nonbelievers. The biblical conception of mystery envelops both of these notions.” (Page 20)

“We will define mystery generally as the revelation of God’s partially hidden wisdom, particularly as it concerns events occurring in the ‘latter days.’ As we will see, scholars are on the right track when they define mystery as divine wisdom that was previously ‘hidden’ but has now been ‘revealed.’” (Page 20)

“We will argue that the revelation of mystery is not a totally new revelation but the full disclosure of something that was to a significant extent hidden.” (Page 30)

“‘You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; it is these that testify about Me; and you are unwilling to come to Me so that you may have life’” (Page 18)

“It appears that Nebuchadnezzar has some insight into the symbolic meaning of his dream before Daniel discloses the dream’s interpretation. This observation affects our general understanding of mystery at a fundamental level. On this basis, we will argue that mystery is not a radically new revelation but a disclosure of something that was largely (but not entirely) hidden.” (Page 35)

Praise for the Print Edition

An intriguing theological and exegetical exploration of a key New Testament theme, especially in Paul. As the book’s authors argue, the early Christian use of ‘mysteries’ surely reflects the strong influence of Daniel.

—Craig Keener, professor of New Testament, Asbury Theological Seminary

An important examination of a crucial theme for understanding some of the New Testament’s use of the Old Testament, carried out by two scholars who have thought long and hard on the issue.

—Roy E. Ciampa, Nida Institute for Biblical Scholarship

In the realm of lay readers, I can hardly think of an area that is more misunderstood than the area of prophecy; in the realm of biblical scholars, I can hardly think of a topic more controverted than the relationship between the Old and the New. At the crosshairs of both discussions is Daniel’s term ‘mystery.’ For the sake of both readerships, I’m grateful that we finally now have a book that reduces the mystery behind ‘mystery.’ Many others will be grateful as well, and will want a copy for their own library.

—Nicholas Perrin, Franklin S. Dyrness Chair of Biblical Studies, Wheaton College Graduate School

Product Details

• Title: Hidden But Now Revealed: A Biblical Theology of Mystery
• Authors: Gregory Beale and Benjamin L. Gladd
• Publisher: IVP
• Publication Date: 2014
• Pages: 393
• Resource Type: Biblical Theology
• Topic: Biblical Studies

About the Authors

Gregory Beale (PhD, University of Cambridge) holds the J. Gresham Machen Chair of New Testament and is professor of New Testament and biblical theology at Westminster Theological Seminary. His books include The Book of Revelation (New International Greek Testament Commentary), 1-2 Thessalonians (The IVP New Testament Commentary Series), The Right Doctrine from the Wrong Texts? Essays on the Use of the Old Testament in the New, John’s Use of the Old Testament in Revelation, The Temple and the Church’s Mission, and We Become What We Worship.

Benjamin L. Gladd received a PhD in Biblical and Theological studies from Wheaton College in Wheaton, IL. He currently serves as Assistant Professor of New Testament at Reformed Theological Seminary in Jackson, Mississippi, and previously served as an adjunct faculty member at Wheaton College, teaching New Testament exegesis and interpretation, Greek, and introductory courses on the Old and New Testaments. Gladd is the author of Revealing the Mysterion and lives with his wife and two children.