Overview

The books of Ezra and Nehemiah are rarely taken seriously in Christian theological reflection. To many modern readers, the community restored after the Babylonian exile appears diminished, legalistic, and xenophobic. What place do these books have in theology and practice today? Timothy Escott charts a way forward for reading Ezra-Nehemiah fruitfully as Christian Scripture. By locating Ezra-Nehemiah in the context of the canon and Christian theology, and in conversation with interpreters old and new, he argues that these books are best understood through a variety of Christian reading strategies. Approaching the books figurally, prophetically, ethically, and as part of a biblical story offers a mix of distinctive yet complementary perspectives. Ezra-Nehemiah portrays God's restorative work and God's people seeking to participate with him and live faithfully in the face of opposition and difficulty. In this way, Ezra-Nehemiah is a rich resource for Christian life and faith today.

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9781666731132

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"""This book is the study that I have been waiting for! Few biblical books are as neglected as Ezra and Nehemiah, but few are as important--since Jesus is unimaginable without the return of the people to the land and the rebuilding of Jerusalem and the temple. Most treatments of Ezra and Nehemiah are either as dry as sawdust or, conversely, are insufficiently aware of the historical-critical data. Timothy Escott's book hits the sweet spot."" --Matthew Levering, chair of theology, Mundelein Seminary ""Finally, an approach to reading Ezra-Nehemiah that does not simply press the work into a prefabricated mold. Timothy Escott provides a range of interpretive approaches which are not satisfied with simplistic summaries, but work with the grain of the text. The result is a rich exploration of the meaning of Ezra-Nehemiah which brings forth the work's own concerns and places it within a larger theological framework."" --George Athas, director of research, Moore Theological College ""For most of my life, I have considered Ezra-Nehemiah to be a narrative of straw, the Old Testament book most easily discarded from the canon. Timothy Escott has changed my mind with his insightful and nuanced analysis. I recommend this engaging study, which brings rich reflection through its use of multiple reading strategies."" --Jill Firth, lecturer in Hebrew and Old Testament, Ridley College ""In Faithfulness and Restoration, Timothy Escott examines four possible strategies for a Christian theological reading of Ezra-Nehemiah, offering a new and holistic way of understanding these often-overlooked books. Salvation-historical and eschatological approaches provide the framework for carefully considered ethical readings. The relevance of Ezra-Nehemiah for Christian faith and life is thus exposed in a thoughtful and compelling way."" --David Peterson, emeritus faculty, Moore Theological College"

Author Information

Timothy R. Escott is assistant minister at St Mark's Anglican Church in Darling Point, Sydney.

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