Books by Richard M Blaylock
Hardening hearts. Blinding eyes. Sending deceitful spirits. Crafting vessels of wrath. Few will d... more Hardening hearts. Blinding eyes. Sending deceitful spirits. Crafting vessels of wrath. Few will deny that certain biblical passages make claims about God that are difficult to accept. But perhaps the most troubling are the verses that describe God as influencing individuals or groups towards wicked behavior for the purpose of condemning them. What are readers to do with these texts? In Vessels of Wrath, Richard M. Blaylock tackles the thorny subject of divine reprobating activity (DRA). Through an exhaustive, biblical-theological study of the Christian canon’s witness, Blaylock argues that the Bible does not present DRA as an insignificant or monolithic concept; instead, the biblical authors showcase both the significance and the complexity of DRA in a variety of ways. The book aims to help readers of the Bible to wrestle with the Scriptures so that they might come to better understand its testimony to this mysterious and awesome divine activity.
Hardening hearts. Blinding eyes. Sending deceitful spirits. Crafting vessels of wrath. Few will d... more Hardening hearts. Blinding eyes. Sending deceitful spirits. Crafting vessels of wrath. Few will deny that certain biblical passages make claims about God that are difficult to accept. But perhaps the most troubling are the verses that describe God as influencing individuals or groups towards wicked behavior for the purpose of condemning them. What are readers to do with these texts? In Vessels of Wrath, Richard M. Blaylock tackles the thorny subject of divine reprobating activity (DRA). Through an exhaustive, biblical-theological study of the Old and New Testaments, Blaylock argues that the Bible does not present DRA as an insignificant or monolithic concept; instead, the biblical authors showcase both the significance and the complexity of DRA in a variety of ways. The book aims to help readers of the Bible to wrestle with the Scriptures so that they might come to better understand its testimony to this mysterious and awesome divine activity.
Papers and Essays by Richard M Blaylock
JETS, 2024
In recent years, many scholars have debated whether or not the hermeneutic of the prophets and ap... more In recent years, many scholars have debated whether or not the hermeneutic of the prophets and apostles should adopted by readers today. Some argue that their hermeneutic must be imitated in its entirety, while others contend that the reading strategies of the biblical authors are generally irreplicable. In this study, I argue that the biblical authors’ hermeneutic is generally but not entirely replicable because the prophets and the apostles occupied a privileged hermeneutical space (PHS). In order to demonstrate this claim, I first survey scholarly opinions concerning the replicability of prophetic and apostolic hermeneutics. I then show how Daniel 9 provides an example of irreplicable innerbiblical exegesis while also illustrating the concept of PHS. Finally, I demonstrate that the concept of PHS could explain challenging examples in Matthew 2:22–23 and 1 Chronicles 21:1.
Encountering Bultmann as a Biblical Theologian
Horizons in Biblical Theology, 2022
In this paper, I seek to provide insight into Rudolf Bultmann’s work by engaging with it through ... more In this paper, I seek to provide insight into Rudolf Bultmann’s work by engaging with it through the lenses of biblical theology. To do so, I first describe the presuppositions behind Bultmann’s approach to biblical theology by discussing three polarities crucial to his thinking: (1) mythology versus science, (2) Historie versus Geschichte, and (3) objective knowledge versus revelation. I then explore Bultmann’s exegetical methods under three headings: (1) historical-critical methods, (2) demythologizing, and (3) existentialist interpretation. Lastly, I locate Bultmann within the field of biblical theology by concluding that he was a theologian who (1) rejected the unity of the Scriptures in favor of their diversity, (2) bridged the gap between history and theology through prioritizing Geschichte over Historie, (3) included extra-canonical materials within the scope of biblical theology, and (4) viewed the kerygma as normative in an existentialist fashion.
Debate continues concerning the meaning and implications of Malachi 3:1. In this contested verse,... more Debate continues concerning the meaning and implications of Malachi 3:1. In this contested verse, YHWH responds to the complaints and accusations of his people by saying, “Behold, I am sending my messenger, and he will clear a way before me. And suddenly, he will come to his temple; the Lord whom you are seeking and the messenger of the covenant in whom you are delighting; behold, he is coming, says YHWH of hosts.”1 No scholarly consensus exists as to (1) the presence and significance of redactions in the text,2 (2) the passage/s to which the author alludes, and (3) the number and nature of the person/s described in the verse. Each of these individual problems has elicited a variety of proposed solutions, resulting in a plethora of interpretations. In light of the current exegetical gridlock, I will argue that Malachi 3:1 (as it stands) refers to the sending of a priestly, prophetic messenger and the arrival of YHWH himself, depicted as a royal priest. I will make my case in three s...
The Doctrine of Reprobation
Concise Theology, 2020
Reprobation is the Augustinian/Reformed doctrine that God has eternally decreed (1) to refrain fr... more Reprobation is the Augustinian/Reformed doctrine that God has eternally decreed (1) to refrain from extending saving grace to particular individuals and (2) to judge them according to the strict standards of divine justice. Though there are debates over finer points of theological nuance, all within the Augustinian/Reformed tradition agree that God decrees that certain individuals will be justly punished for the purpose of magnifying God’s justice and grace and that this punishment is (in some aspects) according to his good pleasure. The doctrine of reprobation is most clearly grounded in the biblical text in the hardening of Pharaoh’s heart in the exodus narrative and in Paul’s argument throughout Romans 9. Reprobation is also logically implied by the doctrines of unconditional election and the sovereignty of God. Although reprobation is a difficult doctrine to grasp, it invites Christians to submit to a God who is all wise and loving—and who has revealed through his word that he is the supreme end for which all things exist.
The Gift of Prophecy
Concise Theology, 2020
The gift of prophecy remains a controversial one among evangelical churches, concerning both the ... more The gift of prophecy remains a controversial one among evangelical churches, concerning both the nature and duration of the gift. The Old Testament regards prophecy as an act of intelligible communication that bears divine authority, although it also allows for the possibility of false prophets. The New Testament bears remarkable continuity with the Old Testament concerning prophecy, and the NT authors regard the messages of the prophets to be the very words of God. As such, the NT seems to assume that genuine prophecies always warranted complete trust and obedience. However, the NT clearly expects the gift of prophecy to be done away with at some point in time. On the one hand, continuationists believe that the gift will continue functioning until the second coming of Christ. On the other hand, cessationists believe that the gift was tied to the authority of the founding leaders of the early church and has therefore ceased to function in the church today.
Themelios, 2019
Despite a number of recent proposals, scholars have yet to reach a consensus regarding what the N... more Despite a number of recent proposals, scholars have yet to reach a consensus regarding what the New Testament prophets were actually doing when they prophesied. In this essay, I attempt to make a contribution to New Testament studies by working towards a definition of New Testament prophecy. I proceed in three steps. First, I survey five different views on the nature of New Testament prophecy. Second, I analyze relevant texts from the New Testament to answer the question: what kind of an activity was New Testament prophecy? Third, I evaluate the arguments made for both limited prophetic authority and full prophetic authority. On the basis of the study, I conclude that prophetic activity in the New testament (1) is a human act of intelligible communication that (2) is rooted in spontaneous, divine revelation and (3) is empowered by the Holy Spirit, so that prophecy (4) consists in human speech or writing that can be attributed to the members of the Godhead and (5) that always carries complete divine authority.
Baptist Theological Seminary, where he also earned his M.Div. Richard has formerly served as a pa... more Baptist Theological Seminary, where he also earned his M.Div. Richard has formerly served as a pastor in the Philippines and has delivered papers at the annual meeting of the Evangelical Theological Society.
Book Reviews by Richard M Blaylock
Review of God’s Will and Testament: Inheritance in the Gospel of Matthew and Jewish Tradition by Daniel Daley
Reading Religion, 2024
Daley has succeeded at writing an informative, carefully researched, and well-argued book about i... more Daley has succeeded at writing an informative, carefully researched, and well-argued book about inheritance within the OT, Second Temple literature, and the Gospel of Matthew. Researchers interested in the subject will be well-served by Daley’s detailed analysis of a host of relevant texts. Daley skillfully navigates current academic debates on several topics, including determinism and dualism within the Qumran texts, the nature of the Qumran community, the meaning of μακάριος (which Daley translates as “flourishing”), the purpose of the Sermon on the Mount, and Matthew’s perspective on Israel and the nations. While his conclusions regarding these subjects are not always convincing, his robust discussions will nevertheless serve readers who want to be informed regarding the current state of scholarship on these topics. Finally, Daley’s work is also helpfully synthetic, as he does more than simply exegete verses. He convincingly demonstrates that the inheritance concept in ancient Judaism and in the Gospel of Matthew is relational, as it is rooted in the theological conviction of the fatherhood of God.
Review of King of Kings: God and the Foreign Emperor in the Hebrew Bible
Reading Religion, 2023
Pannkuk has succeeded in writing a learned and insightful study that should be of interest to bib... more Pannkuk has succeeded in writing a learned and insightful study that should be of interest to biblical scholars. The OT certainly does wrestle with the problem of Gentile imperialism, and Pannkuk provides many cogent observations regarding the witness of the biblical texts. He employs the concept of hybridity to good effect, as his suggestions regarding the interactions between the discourses of Judah and their Gentile rulers are stimulating and well-argued. Many readers will also benefit from the well-written overviews of ancient Near East history that begin each chapter.
Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society, 2022
In my estimation, Crowe has written a helpful introduction to the themes of law and covenant from... more In my estimation, Crowe has written a helpful introduction to the themes of law and covenant from a Reformed perspective. He writes with a clarity and an emphasis on practical discipleship that will be appealing to many. And though he does not break new ground, Crowe does an admirable job of presenting the classic Reformed view and of situating it within the context of the overall storyline of the Bible. At the same time, because of the author’s chosen aims, The Path of Faith may leave certain readers unsatisfied. For instance, those seeking to the learn about the different ways Christians have approached the Bible’s overarching structure should
look elsewhere, since Crowe describes only the Reformed perspective. Moreover, apart from a few insightful comments here and there, readers already familiar with covenant theology will benefit little from the book. Finally, proponents of other approaches to the Bible’s overall structure are unlikely to find The Path of Faith persuasive, since Crowe presents familiar arguments and does not engage deeply with criticisms of covenant theology.
Review of Reprobation and God's Sovereignty: Recovering a Biblical Doctrine
Themelios, 2022
Sammons has done the church and the academy a service in penning a meticulous and compelling argu... more Sammons has done the church and the academy a service in penning a meticulous and compelling argument in favor of the Reformed doctrine of reprobation. Few writers have been willing to provide such a defense, and so Sammons has ably filled a gap in modern systematic theology. Moreover, Sammons evidences a deep knowledge of Reformed and Evangelical theology, as he skillfully navigates between the works of a number of important thinkers from both traditions. Sammons is also to be commended for his use of both biblical interpretation and theological argumentation in the formulation of his case for reprobation. But while the book exhibits considerable strengths, it is also marred by a few weaknesses.
The Southern Baptist Journal of Theology, 2020
Though I was not convinced by its thesis, I still found much to appreciate
in God’s Relational Pr... more Though I was not convinced by its thesis, I still found much to appreciate
in God’s Relational Presence and I commend Duvall and Hays for writing a
superb, biblical-theological treatment of a central, biblical theme. I believe
churchmen and pastors interested in learning more about the overall message of the Bible will benefit greatly from the book. Moreover, I think God’s Relational Presence could serve well as assigned reading for BT courses at the undergraduate level.
Review of The Gospel of the Son of God: An Introduction to Matthew
Reading Religion, 2022
Overall, Bauer has succeeded in writing an introduction to Matthew that will be informative for s... more Overall, Bauer has succeeded in writing an introduction to Matthew that will be informative for students and thought-provoking for scholars. Students will greatly benefit from The Gospel of the Son of God, as the book will thoroughly acquaint them with many of the issues related to the academic study of Matthew’s Gospel. Furthermore, the book also provides a careful and (generally) compelling reading of Matthew as a whole. In addition to students, scholars may also find aspects of Bauer’s work useful, as a number of his interpretive observations and suggestions could provide starting points for further investigation.
Review of A Kingdom for a Stage: Political and Theological Reflection in the Hebrew Bible
Reading Religion, 2021
Hamilton’s work displays an impressive breadth of knowledge and includes many keen insights into ... more Hamilton’s work displays an impressive breadth of knowledge and includes many keen insights into the nature of political argumentation. Even where one disagrees with his interpretation of biblical passages, Hamilton raises questions that are stimulating and will lead readers to notice features of the text that may have otherwise escaped them. In addition to its erudition, the book is also a pleasant read, which is in itself a worthy achievement.
Nevertheless, A Kingdom for a Stage is not without flaws. Not all of Hamilton’s exegetical arguments and conclusions are persuasive; on the contrary, his interest in politics seems at times to unduly color his reading of certain passages. Furthermore, the book could have been strengthened had Hamilton provided a rationale for its overall organization. As it stands, it is somewhat apparent that the majority of the book’s chapters were originally published as separate essays. Last, readers may also wonder whether Hamilton attended to the biblical texts that were most pertinent to his stated project. Despite these limitations, those interested in the subject of Israel’s political philosophy will likely find The Kingdom for a Stage both instructive and enjoyable.
Review of Both Judge and Justifier: Biblical Legal Language and the Act of Justifying in Paul
Reading Religion, 2020
Review of Biblical Theology: The God of the Christian Scriptures
Credo Magazine, 2018
So, has Goldingay succeeded in writing a biblical theology that captures the Bible’s own message?... more So, has Goldingay succeeded in writing a biblical theology that captures the Bible’s own message? Sadly, I do not believe he has. John Goldingay has written an original and provocative biblical theology, one which at times is quite insightful. But despite the presence of several genuinely illuminating sections, the book’s shortcomings outweigh its benefits. For this reason, I do not believe that Goldingay’s Biblical Theology stands among the better representatives of the discipline.
Review of Finding Favour in the Sight of God: A Theology of Wisdom Literature
Reading Religion, 2019
Overall, Belcher has done a fine job of writing a guide to wisdom literature that is both learned... more Overall, Belcher has done a fine job of writing a guide to wisdom literature that is both learned and accessible. Some readers may be disappointed in his limited engagement with questions of authorship and of historical backgrounds; however, these sorts of questions lie somewhat beyond the purpose of the work. While some of his suggestions would have been helped by further argumentation (e.g., his claim that Qohelet is to be distinguished from the author of Ecclesiastes), Belcher’s observations are always clearly stated and worth thoughtful consideration. Additionally, Belcher does not content himself with theoretical discussions regarding the nature of wisdom literature; instead, he assists readers to reflect on how this particular corpus can help them live lives marked by wisdom. One proverb famously says, “Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise, but the companion of fools will suffer harm” (Prov 13:20, ESV). I warmly commend Finding Favour in the Sight of God as a wise companion that will benefit anyone who chooses to stroll through its pages.
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Books by Richard M Blaylock
Papers and Essays by Richard M Blaylock
Book Reviews by Richard M Blaylock
look elsewhere, since Crowe describes only the Reformed perspective. Moreover, apart from a few insightful comments here and there, readers already familiar with covenant theology will benefit little from the book. Finally, proponents of other approaches to the Bible’s overall structure are unlikely to find The Path of Faith persuasive, since Crowe presents familiar arguments and does not engage deeply with criticisms of covenant theology.
in God’s Relational Presence and I commend Duvall and Hays for writing a
superb, biblical-theological treatment of a central, biblical theme. I believe
churchmen and pastors interested in learning more about the overall message of the Bible will benefit greatly from the book. Moreover, I think God’s Relational Presence could serve well as assigned reading for BT courses at the undergraduate level.
Nevertheless, A Kingdom for a Stage is not without flaws. Not all of Hamilton’s exegetical arguments and conclusions are persuasive; on the contrary, his interest in politics seems at times to unduly color his reading of certain passages. Furthermore, the book could have been strengthened had Hamilton provided a rationale for its overall organization. As it stands, it is somewhat apparent that the majority of the book’s chapters were originally published as separate essays. Last, readers may also wonder whether Hamilton attended to the biblical texts that were most pertinent to his stated project. Despite these limitations, those interested in the subject of Israel’s political philosophy will likely find The Kingdom for a Stage both instructive and enjoyable.