Little Books… BIG MESSAGE Session One: Introduction and the Book of Obadiah

This Week How Lutherans Interpret Difficult Texts A 5-Minute Crash Course in Ancient Near East History and Geography Reading Obadiah Commentary & Questions Why Does Obadiah Matter?

How Lutherans Interpret Difficult Texts

How Lutherans Interpret Difficult Texts Dr. Mark Alan Powell Professor of New Testament Studies at Trinity Lutheran Seminary, Columbus, Ohio Excerpt from “Opening the Book of Faith”

How Lutherans Interpret Difficult Texts The Word of God speaks both law and gospel. The law is that which accuses us or unveils our sin The gospel is that which comforts us and assures us of our salvation. Not one or the other, but BOTH

How Lutherans Interpret Difficult Texts The Bible is the book that reveals Jesus Christ to us Luther: “The Bible is like the manger that held the Christ child.” The WHOLE Bible, not just the New Testament

How Lutherans Interpret Difficult Texts Scripture interprets Scripture Difficult passages can (and should) be interpreted in light of those passages that are more readily understandable, and in light of the Bible’s central themes and motifs. What are prominent themes?

How Lutherans Interpret Difficult Texts The Exodus Liberation / Deliverance The Gift of Divine Presence Giving of the Law The Temple Jesus The Church God’s Promises & Covenants Jesus Death & Resurrection

How Lutherans Interpret Difficult Texts Scripture is to be interpreted in line with its “plain sense” What would have been obvious to the original readers? No “secret meanings” Reading with a sense of context (i.e., No “proof texting”) Taking the Bible seriously

How Lutherans Interpret Difficult Texts The Faithful Community Interprets Scripture Interpretation of Scripture is a public act, not a private one Prevents some rather dangerous and potentially harmful interpretations (e.g., Harold Camping)

How Lutherans Interpret Difficult Texts “I Don’t Know” is a valid answer As soon as you think you have the Bible figured out, it wriggles out from beneath your thumb Keep your heart, mind and spirit open to possibilities

A 5-Minute Crash Course in Ancient Near East History

EDOM

Reading Obadiah

Take Notes! Questions? Words / Phrases Things you like / don’t like Reading Obadiah Take Notes! Questions? Words / Phrases Things you like / don’t like

Comments, Questions or Smart Remarks?

Obadiah Basics Authorship Date Obadiah = “worshipper of Yah(weh)” Generic title? Date Opinions range from 9th century bce to the late 5th century bce Most scholars place it immediately after the destruction of Jerusalem during the Babylonian exile (587 / 586 bce)

Obadiah Basics Place Audience Unknown…in Jerusalem? In exile? Seems to be speaking to the Israelites about the Edomites

Commentary & Questions

Why Does It Matter?

Does God condone violence to respond to violence? If so, when? Why Does It Matter? This book is very centered on Divine Judgment, but it is cast in the light of divinely ordained vindication or revenge (“You did this, so God is helping us do this back to you”). Does God condone violence to respond to violence? If so, when?

Why Does It Matter? Empathy matters. Who are WE in this book? The Israelites? The Edomites? Neither / Both?