Analysis of Let Justice Roll Down Written by Bruce C Birch - Book Report/Review Example

Let Justice Roll Down Author Introduction The book Let Justice Roll Down is written by Bruce C. Birch which was produced in the year 1991. Birch is a Dean Emeritus of Biblical Theology in the Wesley Theology Seminary located in Washington D. C. His contribution has been included in a number of books being a major contributor in the second volume of the book “The New Interpreter’s Bible and the Old Testament: A theological Introduction.” Birch has served at Wesley Theological Seminary as a professor for 38 years on Old Testament Theology[Bru91]1. He has also served as an Academic Dean for approximately 11 years. The articles and books that Birch has written range from publications to scholarly work that are aimed at church laity and clergy life enrichment. Birch earned his PhD at Yale University in the year 1970 and was ordained for ministry in the religion known as United Methodist Church. Among Birch’s numerous writings on theological related studies include books related to ethics and bible, and analytical study of the books of Amos, Joel and Hosea. Birch is a family man with one wife and blessed with two sons and two daughters. Currently Birch lives Frederick in Maryland away from his hometown that is known as Wichita at Kansas. Birch was able to learn many languages such as Aramaic, German, French, Greek, Akkadian and Hebrew. His understanding of the major languages of bible origin provided a fundamental basis for understanding all the writings from their original scripts to get the original meanings and cultural structure. Birch takes the historical analysis through critical interpretation on the biblical writings that provide a wider understanding to Christian modern life in relation to the historical setting and connections. Purpose of the Author Birch gives a full-scale full treatment of Christian ethics and Old Testament since the year 1923. He tackles questions that are very tough concerning slavery, capital punishment, and war and women subservience among other society related issues. Birch connects modern church life to Old Testament teachings. The author relates stories concerning Israel’s faith and testimonies in Hebrew canon to conducts and characters Christian communities and Christians today. Through opening of resources concerning morals that are available in the Old Testament, Birch spurs discussion on characters related to the moral resources and pertinences related to them to issues of ethics in the challenging and complex time. Birch gives reasons that are solid on the importance of the book both ethically and theologically[Bru91]2. He examines the Old Testament honestly and applies the theoretical insights from the theological narrative practically. The author gives an opportunistic view in a fresh strategy of biblical worldview and in a unique sense rebuilds aspects of faith that are broken. Birch displays the ethical controversy within the current modern life in relation to the historical Old Testament life giving the reader with a clear image on choice making. He depicts the very important functions and needs for canon from the historical religious perspective and the modern perspective despite the social dynamical changes. The author provides the audience with strategically means on how to address moral issues and recover them in an ethical manner that upholds Christianity. He focuses on giving vital lessons in the moral perspective from the creation story in relation to character, redemption and role giving a step to step policy laid down techniques to move from the perception of what is promised to the end product of the promise which is understood as deliverance. He trails through the dynamics of morals that are found in the laws of Israelites providing reality and ideal of royal in life. Birch depicts limits and dimensions of prophetic hope and wisdom from traditional perspectives in continuity. Structure and Content Summary The book has been written in a layout that consists of two parts that makes the general content flow of the author. The first part of the book provides detailed roles, morals and addresses them in connection with cannon in the Old Testament teachings and settings. Birch starts by addressing Christian ethics in Old Testament role. He provides the trend in which many Christians become unease with traditions of Judeo-Christian as stipulated in the Old Testament. He displays the important consensus among biblical scholars and ethicists thereby relegating Old Testament to the status of second class[Bru91]3. He then gives the moral resources as portrayed in the Old Testament. The connection and understanding of the moral resources in the modern church is traced from the fundamental understanding and enterprise nature of Old Testament operations. He addresses hermeneutical problem solving in Old Testament style of ancient Israel morality and Christian ethical new appreciations. Birch expounds of Canon’s importance and roles in the Old Testament setting in the context of morals of Christians. The author emphasizes on the final forms of both texts and community processes which result to canon formation. The author relates Hebrew canon that are developed in the faith community context of ancient Israel and the modern church community possession. The origin of Hebrew canon was form actual Israel experience over a lengthy time period that included the section of writings, prophets and laws developed from actual traditional experience. The Old Testament is meditated through modern churches by reading and dialogue interpretation making it a portion of scriptures to the church. It provides a control framework that handles canon functions in important ways. Birch gives brief on important words that depicts Hebrew canon as essential Christian canon. The narrative of the Old Testament is gives the focus that addresses morals thereby addressing the moral recovery in the Christian lifestyle. The second part of the book focuses on creation role and character from its origin and formation to redemption and deliverance. It moves through Israelite community birth, dynamics, law and royal ideals to the promise, kingship, prophetic ethics and confrontations to the tradition wisdom and continuity of canon. Despite the basis of creation on God, the creation nature itself is given an understanding that can be noted and is clear. The view of everything to be good in each day end gives the context of review and a refrain that provides account of radical character in terms of benevolence. The creation testimony of the Hebrews proclaims God as the creator of the entire world as an open canon by indicating aesthetic and moral qualities and on the other hand being pleasing and beautiful[Bru91]4. In creation relationality, Birch relates all things in creation with the inclusion of elements such as human in self-sufficient manner. This is evident in the reliance of plant, animal and human life that begins to sound through the interrelatedness theme. The responsibility theme is portrayed through establishment of animal naming by Adam. God reveals an intention of harmony and wholeness through a Hebrew word that arise out of the creation of God known as “shalom” which becomes God’s community goal and historical purpose. The word gives the central world history’s vision in the bible which is oneness in all creation. Birch reveals how God made everything with precise purpose in mind in relation to their roles in the society and community at large. In relation to an influential essay by Gerhard von Rad that gave view advance on commitment of faith by Israelites on historical salvation and creation doctrine makes a tie and sequence between the two events. In Human role and creation, a special responsibility and place is given to human creatures of God and emphasis of the role given to both women and men through Genesis creation story. This depicts God’s image and stewardship through human beings, His responsibility and free will. The Yahwist and priestly tradition have the knowledge on how they did not last as per the intentions of God through the disturbance by human sin which broke the original relationship creating disruption. Theology reveals the nature of sin in connection to its resultant impacts and how through mercy God reveals the forth coming redemption in judgment role and salvation of man through sacrifice and covering the man and woman. Birch gives the moral objectivity in connection to love that compelled God to be patient with human being despite their stubbornness[Bru91]5. He walks with the Israelites guiding them through a number of leaders including their demand for kings and also providing prophets after giving his laws. This depicts moral responsibility in practicing patience with one another in connection to judgment in order to attain the Christian life style. Old Testament teaching gives a clear connection in relation to obedience to the law and judgment without undermining the essence of moral principles in divine will and God’s modeling. Book’s Purpose Evaluation In relation to the objective of the book, it is attainable to the reader because of the connection to the modern life style. The current generation has been affected to a higher level in the area of moral uprightness. Morality relates to a larger extent on the relationship of members of the society with the understanding of what is termed as a vise of a character morally. Understanding of nature through the view of the creator as portrayed by Birch provides a vital perspective by placing the reader on the seat of the creator. This gives the readers the clear image that helps one to reflect on personal role in driving the moral Christian virtues. The perspective of doing personal analysis compared to your role in the society initiates the desire to create change which starts with character change. Birch’s sequential theological teaching that starts with connecting nature to the creator and his purpose and role for man through to revelation of God’s character and desire to bring us to redemption creates a journey for Christian character development[Bru91]6. Christian Ministry Review Presentations Christian ministry does not require adoption of modern patterns and strategies in upholding moral values. This is through the understanding of the ways and style of teachings that God reveals to man which has a basis on handling moral values and Christian character through traditional wisdom. Christian ministry focuses on the greatest being that is known as the author and finisher of faith. This entails trust and obedience in connections to the revealed acknowledge wisdom through instructions. The basis of Christian ministry understands Christian roles and responsibilities in connection to the prophetic promises which are tailored to salivation with the end result of redemption. Wholeness and responsibility character-wise is determined by knowledge of Christian roles and responsibilities in the modern society through application of practical knowledge and wisdom adopted from the historical Hebrew tradition. The traditions involved laws granted them by God who as the creator and planner for the redemption gave the guidance. Bibliography Bru91: , (Birch 1991), Read More