The book of Deuteronomy
222.1 / C87Craigie P. C.
The book of Deuteronomy / by Peter C. Craigie. — ; Grand Rapids, Mich. : Eerdmans, ©1976. —
УДК 222.1
Deuteronomy is a book of surprising contemporary relevance; its length and centrality in the flow of the Old Testament also make it one of the most debated books in the canon. In the present volume Professor Craigie at tempts to do justice to both of these facets of this important and fascinating part of the Old Testament. The author espouses a conservative cos -tion regarding the date and unity of the book of Deuteronomy. What we have today as the fifth book of the Old Testament he takes to be substantially a record (perhaps edited in Joshua’s time) of the words of Moses to the Hebrews gathered for a ceremonial renewal of the Sinai covenant before entering Canaan under Joshua’s leadership. Critical scholars have pointed out difficulties with this traditional viewpoint, and the author — though his intention is not polemical — develops his own position in dialogue with those who would place the origins of the book much later in Israelite history. Theologically, the overarching theme of Deuteronomy is the covenant. It is in the language of the renewal of the Sinai covenant that Deuteronomy, as part of God s word for all ages, speaks its message to the people of the New Covenant. In its simplest phrasing that message is Commit yourself to God wholeheartedly.