Time is running out to get this month’s free book, The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges: Genesis for free, and pick up the +One, An Introduction to the Pentateuch for $0.99.
Today’s post takes an in-depth look at the classic scholarship of A.T. Chapman, author of An Introduction to the Pentateuch.
Discover the Hexateuch
Consider the tightly woven character of the first six books of Scripture. In his discussion, A.T. Chapman presents a thematic argument for a Hexateuch, instead of a Pentateuch:
People and Land are the two leading ideas which beginning in Genesis are never lost sight of till they culminate in Joshua. Hence instead of the Greek name Pentateuch given to the Five Books, modern critics have adopted the name Hexateuch for the Six Books including the book of Joshua.
This carries serious potential for the literary study of Scripture. It allows the reader to apply a much more consistent hermeneutic when studying Joshua, as it places it in a clear context.
The Law and the Prophets
The first five books are traditionally known as the Law, or torah. However, throughout Matthew’s Gospel, the Law is combined with “the Prophets.” Jesus himself refers to this in Matthew 5:17-20 and 22:40. What brings about this addition? Chapman addresses this connection in another section of his Introduction.
If the question be asked, What is the most prominent feature in Israel’s history as represented in the books from Judges to Kings? the answer must be, Prophecy. ‘The history and development of Israel was started by a prophet, and prophets conducted it all along its course.’ The prophets themselves are conscious that the nation has been under prophetic leading since the Exodus from the land of Egypt. Amos declares in the name of the Lord: ‘I brought you up out of the land of Egypt … and I raised up of your sons for prophets’ (2:10).
Having already built his argument for a holistic reading of Genesis through Joshua, Chapman then steps beyond his immediate scope to show how the “prophetic leading” begun in Exodus stretches through Judges, Samuel, and Kings, to unite the history of Israel. This informs the modern student as he or she looks to interpret Jesus’ sayings.
Additional Topics
Chapters on the hexateuch and the parallels between the Law and the Prophets are only two examples of the wealth of information provided in this month’s +One volume. Discover this and more with ten additional appendices:
I. Passages in the Hexateuch assigned to P
II. Characteristics of the Priestly Code
III. Comparison of the Covenant Code with Deuteronomy and Leviticus
IV. The Style of Deuteronomy
V. Leviticus 17–26 and the prophet Ezekiel
VI. The meaning of TORAH
VII. Characteristics of Composite Documents
VIII. The Samaritan Pentateuch
IX. The Christological argument
X. Archaeology and Criticism
Leave a Reply