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

2. 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?

3. How Lutherans Interpret Difficult Texts

4. 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”

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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?

8. 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

9. 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

10. 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)

11. 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

12. A 5-Minute Crash Course in Ancient Near East History

14. EDOM

15. Reading Obadiah

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

17. Comments, Questions or Smart Remarks?

18. 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)

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

20. Commentary & Questions

21. Why Does It Matter?

22. 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?

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