In EB there is a strong use of the OT as Scripture. However, the author is very often cavalier in his handling of the text, if not blatantly mistaken, committing errors in quoting certain passages. Some NT passages are alluded to, whilst there are also references to apochryphal texts such as Enoch and IV Esdras.
The hermeneutical method is definitely allegorical, seeking to find christological applications in just about every nook and cranny of the OT. At times it becomes even esoteric, as when the author seeks to find significance in the numbers of men circumcised by Abraham, affirming that his readers are the first to have this secret revealed to them. The author claims that understanding the spiritual meaning comes from having one's ears and heart circumcised, and at times this even leads him to disdain the literal meaning, as when he claims that the Jews misunderstood the food laws because "they received them according to fleshly desire, as if he had merely spoken of literal meats."
Showing posts with label Epistle of Barnabas. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Epistle of Barnabas. Show all posts
Wednesday, February 21, 2007
Epistle of Barnabas
Next in my reading of ancient sources is the Epistle of Barnabas.
One of the striking features of this epistle is the way that it uses the Old Testament to try and deconstruct the claims of Judaism. THus, the OT rather than a source of Judaism, is seen to confront it. This can be seen in the way the author of EB deals with the OT themes of Law/covenant; land, Sabbath and temple.
Law/ Covenant
In a very debatable manner, the author claims that because Moses destroyed the tablets of the law in the episode of the golden calf, the covenant was never really established with the Israelites, hence the true covenant is that which was established in Christ. No explanation is offered for the fact that the OT narrates a subsequent re-giving of the law.
Land
The land flowing in milk and honey is not the land of Canaan, rather it refers to Christians growing in faith ruling over the earth.
Sabbath
In what seemed a rather bizarre form of argument, the author claims that the genuine sabbath refers to the eighth day, when Jesus was raised from the dead.
Temple
The true temple is the Spiritual temple of our hearts.
One of the striking features of this epistle is the way that it uses the Old Testament to try and deconstruct the claims of Judaism. THus, the OT rather than a source of Judaism, is seen to confront it. This can be seen in the way the author of EB deals with the OT themes of Law/covenant; land, Sabbath and temple.
Law/ Covenant
In a very debatable manner, the author claims that because Moses destroyed the tablets of the law in the episode of the golden calf, the covenant was never really established with the Israelites, hence the true covenant is that which was established in Christ. No explanation is offered for the fact that the OT narrates a subsequent re-giving of the law.
Land
The land flowing in milk and honey is not the land of Canaan, rather it refers to Christians growing in faith ruling over the earth.
Sabbath
In what seemed a rather bizarre form of argument, the author claims that the genuine sabbath refers to the eighth day, when Jesus was raised from the dead.
Temple
The true temple is the Spiritual temple of our hearts.
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