The return of the Twelve Tribes
A chap called David asks Brant Pitre, author of one of my two favourite books – together with Wright's – on the historical Jesus thus far (though I'm yet to work through Bird's offering – someone annoyingly ordered it back to the library before I could read it) a good question about the prophesied return of the Twelve Tribes and the supposed start of its fulfilment in Jesus and his ministry:
"If Jesus seeks to bring about the restoration of Israel, then what happens to God's promise to gather the lost tribes of Israel back to the land (cf. Isa 11; Ezek 37; Mic 4, etc.)? Is this promise simply abandoned? Or does the New Testament "over-spiritualize the gospel" (David's words) it by referring it to the heavenly Jerusalem (e.g., Heb 12)? As he said, "Doesn't there have to be a bit more to it than that?""
Brant's shot at an answer is really worth reading!
posted by Chris Tilling @ 11:17 AM
3 comments
3 Comments:
I like Wright as well but I think I would put Meyer's "The Aims of Jesus" (1979) ahead of "Jesus and the Victory of God". Meyer was SO FAR ahead of his time--long before Sanders' "Jesus and Judaism" (1985) he was all about "restoration" in Jewish thought. My only real beef with Meyer is his translation of "kingdom" as "reign". I think that obscures the Davidic dimension of Jesus' mission and downplays a significant element of Jewish expectations. Aside from that, it is, I think, the single most overlooked book in Jesus research.
Meyer's work on Critical Realism also had HUGE influence on the field later on--but again, most people neglect him.
On another note, as per your book suggestion, I am happy to tell you that I have Fatehi's book. Though I never finished it, I was thoroughly impressed. I LOVED his overview of the Spirit in Jewish sources--what a great resource! And what I read from his treatment on Paul was great... now I've got to go back and finish it!!!
In my view, the New Testament addressed the Israelite messianic expectations in the following unexpected manner:
Restoration: Jesus restored the fortunes of Israel because he restored the nation’s moral integrity.
Reunification: the tribes of Israel, though scattered, were reunited in obedience to a set of shared moral principles set by Jesus.
Dominion over Gentiles: because of the supremacy of its moral principles, Israel now had moral dominion over the Gentiles.
World to be consumed by fire: These moral principles were like a fire, the fire of the Day of the Lord of prophecy, which burned up the stubble of false values and false standards.
Kingdom of God on earth: followers of Jesus are united in the 'spiritual' Kingdom of God in existence since the resurrection.
However, the New Testament further proposed a future, more literal fulfillment.
Thanks
Hi Michael,
Thanks for your insightful comment. And I'm sure you are right, more objectively speaking. I personally found Wright's book such an eye opener, I am hugely biased.
And Mehrdad Fatehi is my second supervisor, and a hugely nice chap!
Vynette,
Thanks, too, for your comment. I think you have a point, but I wonder if you are overpressing the morality issue.
All the best.
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