Robert I. Vasholz – författare

This book is a historical-theological treatment of five aspects of the kingdom of God in the Old Testament. It views these aspects under the following rubrics: kingdom politics, pilgrims, presence, profile and progress. Kingdom politics pertains to how the kingdom was administered; kingdom pilgrims as to how the citizens of the kingdom are identified and characterized; kingdom presence to the way by which the Deity is revealed; profile pertains to kingdom virtues; and progress to the expression of kingdom triumphs in the face of adversities. Most works in Old Testament biblical theology have stressed salvific and redemptive themes to the exclusion of these other features. These features provide the opportunity to understand the continuity of the Old Testament in a persuasive and vivid manner without simply reiterating what has already been written over and over again. This book interfaces with the lively discussion on the new discipline, Progressive Dispensationalism, lauding some of its advances while expressing some reservations.

Leviticus recieved its English title from the Greek Levitikon, which means pertaining to Levites. Probably, Jewish scribes [who called Leviticus the Priest’s Manual] influenced the title in the Tannaitic Period (200 B.C. – 200 A.D.). While the title is appropriate for certain sections it fails to point out that most of the book is directed to all the epeople of Israel. The priesthood of Israel was not meant to be a secret society with mysterious practices known only to them. Sadly, it appears, the book of Leviticus has been retired to a secondary status in the Church today. Christians have largely relegated the punctillious details about such things as sacrifices and purity laws to a bygone era. There, is of course, some good reason for that. While rabinnic commentary teaches that this is the first book of Scripture that Children should learn (age 5), modern readers often view Leviticus as tedious and dull. Reading Leviticus was in the word of a Third century church scholar, like having to eat unfit food. The practices in Leviticus may seem distant and mysterious to the modern western world yet there are fundamental elements in the book of Leviticus that are both universal and relevant to the contemporary scene. What Christian would say that love your neighbour as yourself, the second greatest commandment, should be relegated to the past? Here is one the most oft cited verses in the New Testament Scripture is a commands that first appears in the book of Leviticus. But it doesn’t stop there. Hebrews particularly expounds on Leviticus; it is close to impossible to comprehend parts of Hebrews without reference to Leviticus. This can be said with regard to passages in the gospel as well.