Messianic Exegesis: Christological Interpretation of the Old Testament in Early Christianity

Library of Early Christology

by Donald H. Juel

Professor Juel defends a simple thesis: The beginnings of Christian reflection can be traced to interpretation of Israel's scriptures, and the major focus of that scriptural interpretation was Jesus, the crucified and risen Messiah. He therefore proceeds to demonstrate how certain Old Testament texts came to be applied to Jesus as Christ. He argues that the interpretative application of such texts to Jesus was part of the interior logic of Christianity.

Introduction

Messianic Exegesis: Developing an Approach

Biblical Interpretation in the First Century C.E.

Christ the King: Christian Interpretation of 2 Samuel 7

Christ the Crucified: Christian Interpretation of the Psalms

The Servant Christ: Christian Interpretation of Second Isaiah

Christ at the Right Hand: The Use of Psalm 110 in the New Testament

The Risen Christ and the Son of Man: Christian Use of Daniel 7

Conclusion

Notes

Bibliography

Index of Passages

Genres: New Testament, Old Testament, Biblical Studies, Reference

208 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1988

Reviews

[Kendall Davis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Generally good framing of the questions and helpful points. At times gets a bit bogged down in source critical / tradition critical questions for me.

[Bob Mendelsohn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this scholastic book in 1988 right after it was published, and found it strong and helpful in my faith. Juel, who is a Lutheran, argues that the earliest use of the Scriptures by Jesus' followers was not for arguing in behalf of the Gospel, but rather to understand the Gospel. Juel explains the problem of interpretation and then unpacks the rules and how midrashic exegesis takes place. Then away he goes. He seriously covers 2 Samuel 7, the Psalms, Isaiah, especially 53, Psalm 110, and Daniel 7. It's not as far-reaching as Michael Brown, but my oh my, it's excellent.