Lamentations (The Two Horizons Old Testament Commentary | THOTC)

by Robin A. Parry

Publisher:

Eerdmans

, 2010

Overview

In this volume, Robin Parry not only builds on traditional scholarship to interpret the book of Lamentations within its ancient context but also ventures further, exploring how the book can function as Christian Scripture. Parry provides the first systematic attempt to read Lamentations in light of the cross and resurrection—as Israel’s Holy Saturday literature, filled with the cries of those caught between the death of Jerusalem at the hands of the Babylonians and its rebirth. While Lamentations has been sadly neglected by a culture averse to grief and tragedy, this anguished poetry of pain—especially when read through the lens of Christ’s agony and death—has much to teach us about life, God, and the right response to human suffering.

Key Features

• Insight from some of today's top theologians and biblical scholars
• Perfect for students, pastors, those in the academic world, and laity

Contents

Top Highlights

“The transition from hopelessness (3:18) to hope (3:21) is sudden and surprising, reflecting not a change in his circumstances but a change in his attitude.” (Page 100)

“So our aim in the first part of the commentary is to hear the distinctive theological voice of Lamentations but, in the second part, it is to hear how the acoustics change when that voice is heard in the Cathedral of Christ.” (Page 3)

“Crucial to understanding the hope implicit in Lamentations is the appreciation that the fire of divine punishment falls within a covenant relationship and does not mean the end of that relationship.” (Page 31)

“it is clear that the focus of Lamentations is not on the sin of the people but on their terrible suffering.” (Page 29)

“First of all, Lamentations was not written to present a theology” (Page 2)

Product Details

• Title: Two Horizons Commentary: Lamentations
• Author: Robin A. Parry
• Publisher: Eerdmans
• Publication Date: 2010
• Pages: 272

About Robin A. Parry

Robin Parry grew up near Liverpool before moving to Wales at the age of ten. It was in Wales that he became a Christian. In 1991, after completing his undergraduate degree in theology and some teacher training, he got married to Carol and moved to Worcester (the original one). They have been there ever since. Robin and Carol have two daughters, Hannah and Jessica, and a cat called Monty. Having been a teacher in a Sixth Form College (1991-2001), he moved into theological publishing, first at Paternoster (2001-2010) and then at Wipf and Stock (2010-), where he works as an editor. Robin’s MA and PhD were in Old Testament, both degrees overseen by Professor Gordon Wenham. Robin writes books for a hobby and is trying to learn to play the cajon.