Anabaptistica
Southwestern Journal of Theology
Volume 56, No. 2 – Spring 2014
Managing Editor: Terry L. Wilder
By G. K. Beale. Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, 2012. 173 pages. Paperback, $17.99.
G. K. Beale is well-known for his study on the NT use of the OT, having written on the subject for his entire academic career. This handbook is incredibly welcomed as a concise resource for students to lay the foundation of their knowledge on the subject. The purpose of this work is “to provide a short guide to the use of OT citations and allusions in the NT” (xvii). It is written for serious readers of the Bible “with the hope that even scholars might benefit” (xvii).
Chapter one discusses the history of the debate about whether the NT authors quoted and alluded to the OT contextually. This includes a discussion of testimony books and the definition of typology, the latter being a lengthy and insightful dis- cussion. Beale defends C. H. Dodd’s thesis in According to the Scriptures that the NT authors used the OT contextually, but acknowledges that those who disagree may still profitably use his suggested step-by-step methodology in chapter three (12f.).
Chapter two is a brief explanation of resources for studying OT references, with a necessary discussion of the definition of quotation, allusion, echo, and intertextuality. Beale places allusion and echo on a sliding scale of probability rather than distinguishing them (32) and prefers the term “inner-biblical exegesis” or “inner- biblical allusion” over “intertextuality” to avoid postmodern connotations (39f.).
Chapter three is the “core of the book,” in which Beale lays out a nine-step process for studying NT uses of the OT (41). Each step, as well as useful resources for each step, is explained. Chapter four presents the multitude of ways the NT authors use the OT, although it is not a comprehensive list. This ranges from fulfillment of direct prophecy (56f.) to using the OT as a substructure for a NT epistle or narrative (80-88), among many other uses and variations of each category of usage (Beale lists, for example, three variations of “prototypical” uses of the OT).
Chapter five contains a list and explanation of what Beale considers five pre- suppositions of the NT writers. These include (1) “corporate solidarity” (or “repre- sentation”), (2) that Jesus is the true Israel of the OT and the true church of the NT, (3) that history is unified so that correspondence between former and latter parts are designed, (4) the already-not yet eschatological schema, and (5) that later parts of Scripture are the key to interpreting earlier portions of the OT and its promises (96f.). He contends that each of these presuppositions is rooted in the OT (100).
Chapter six contains a helpful annotated bibliography of sources for post-biblical Judaism as it relates to the study of the NT use of the OT and a case study of how this could help the student. Chapter seven concludes the book with a case study illustrating Beale’s nine-step process laid out in chapter three.
As a work for students, this may be the best guide for beginning or improv- ing study in the field of the NT use of the OT. Those who do not agree with Beale’s conclusions on some or on many matters can still benefit from the discussions on each topic, from the comprehensive methodology suggested, and from the sources provided and explained. His numerous examples, which are explained at length, are sufficient (if not persuasive) demonstrations of his positions. His case study in chap- ter seven was also a helpful inclusion, since the particular is more understandable for some students than the theoretical. One improvement upon the handbook would be to include more examples from outside of John’s writings. While many examples are included from Paul and the Gospels, the majority are from John, particularly Revelation. This is understand- able given Beale’s extensive published work in Revelation, but the book almost re- sembles a handbook on John’s use of the OT rather than that of the apostles, at least when it comes to illustrating the general principles asserted for apostolic interpretation. Yet this is a minor quibble and the work as a whole should be utilized by professors—both for themselves and for their students—and by teachers in the church. Thankfully the work is written at such an introductory level that it may be used profitably for teaching in the church—and should be. Our churches would be strengthened, discipleship would be bolstered, and Bibles would be read more if only congregants could understand what in the world the OT narratives and teachings have to do with the cross of Christ.
