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The Real Presence of Christ in Scripture: a Sacramental Approach to the Old Testament

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The Real Presence of Christ in Scripture: a Sacramental Approach to the Old Testament The Real Presence of Christ in Scripture: A Sacramental Approach to the Old Testament by Geoffrey Boyle A Thesis submitted to the Faculty of Wycliffe College and Graduate Centre for Theological Studies of the Toronto School of Theology In partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Theology awarded by the University of St. Michael's College © Copyright by Geoffrey Boyle 2019 The Real Presence of Christ in Scripture: A Sacramental Approach to the Old Testament Geoffrey Robert Boyle Doctor of Philosophy in Theology University of St. Michael's College 2019 Abstract Of the various sense-making attempts to understand the relation of Christ to the Old Testament over the last century, there is a noticeable absence of any substantial presence. Christ is prophesied, witnessed, predicted, typified, and prefigured; but apart from a few alleged christophanic appearances, he is largely the subject of another, historically subsequent Testament. This thesis surveys the christological approaches to the Old Testament since the early 20th century breach made within historicism, introduces a patristic mindset, proposes an ontological foundation to a sacramental (real-presence) approach, then demonstrates this through a reading of Zechariah 9-14. The goal is to bring together three arenas of study—exegetical, historical, theological—and demonstrate how their united lens clarifies the substantial referent of Scripture, namely Christ. The character of the OT witness is thus presented in christological terms, suggesting a reading that recognizes the divine person within the text itself, at home in the sensus literalis. By way of analogy to the Cyrillian hypostatic union and a Lutheran eucharistic comprehension, the task is to show how one encounters the hypostasis of Christ by means of the text’s literal sense. This ii ontological, real presence hermeneutic—a sacramental approach—is demonstrated through a case study in the Book of Zechariah. Zechariah 9-14 offers ample terrain for demonstration both because it is well attested in the NT as well as in the early Christian witness and because it is, admittedly, so difficult and unlikely a text for a sacramental approach. It has offered a crux theologorum for critics and theologians alike. Even Jerome asks for prayers before commencing such a daunting task. Our goal is to read the text theologically, bound to its literal sense, and uncover its real-presence referent of Christ, albeit in unlikely terms. Our unique contribution is the correlating, collating, and associating of three distinct fields— exegetical, patristic, theological. Such a collaborative effort is timely, in that the academy is situated to hear these voices in unison in a way it has not been for some time. It is now also necessary to join them together, as only in conjunction do they shed their proper light. With areas of enrichment and places of distraction, the common question of how Christ is present in the OT finds illustration through an exegetical example, informed by patristic instincts, theological depth, and chosen for exemplifying the challenge best. iii Acknowledgments “The reason why we loved the old Narnia is that it sometimes looked a little like this.” ~ C.S. Lewis, Last Battle, 101 What follows in this thesis is an academic justification of what I am given to preach and teach to the saints at Grace Lutheran and Trinity Lutheran in Wichita, Kansas. Their constant encouragement, prayers, and steadfast faithfulness cannot go without thanks. Nor could this dissertation have taken the form it has without the guidance and prodding of my Doktorvater, Professor Christopher Seitz. He recognized very early that my scholarship could not be separated from my service to the Church, nor could the Scriptures be pulled away from their proclamation to the saints of God. It was in this dual pursuit that his encouragement and compassion fueled the way forward. My family, too, provided more than can be counted. My mother, Susan, along with Dan & Denise McNaughton (“Amo & Boom”) gave summer respite to my children, help to my wife, and an office of focused-study to me. Gratitude extends also to my father in the faith and constant mentor in all things Law and Gospel, Pastor Warren Graff. If not for his insight into the reality of Christ in the Old Testament, and all the attendant conversations along the way, I would not have written what I have. My wife, along with our five beloved children, has been my rock and constant support. Her patience, kindness, and hospitality have made our home a place of refuge for the weary and strength for the ministry to which I have been called. It is with Ana, Claire, Gabriela, Micah, Brigit, and my beloved wife, Nikki, that I have gone to the old Narnia; and for that reason, have come to love the new. None of this would be possible without them. Finally, I give thanks to and for my father, John Boyle, who was not given to see the completion of this study; but whose ardent support, encouragement, and pride, despite his hesitancy to believe, gave me cause to press forward even in the midst of despair. It is to him that I dedicate this labor of love, always looking for his approbation. iv Table of Contents List of Abbreviations......................................................................................................................x Chapter 1 – Making the Case ..................................................................................................... 1 1.1 Introduction....................................................................................................................... 1 1.2 Status Quaestionis............................................................................................................. 2 1.3 Methodology.................................................................................................................... 11 1.4 Procedure ......................................................................................................................... 13 Chapter 2 – History of Research ............................................................................................... 15 2.1 Introduction...................................................................................................................... 15 2.2 Christuszeugnis: The Old Testament as a Witness to Christ…………………………… 16 2.2.1 Karl Barth ..............................................................................................................17 2.2.2 Wilhelm Vischer……………............................................................................... 21 2.2.3 Dietrich Bonhoeffer ............................................................................................. 26 2.2.4 Conclusion ............................................................................................................ 30 2.3 Typology Redivivus: Spiritual and Allegorical Attempts from the 1940s – 50s……….. 32 2.3.1 Germany………………………………………………………………………… 33 2.3.1.1 Leonhard Goppelt........................................................................................ 33 2.3.1.2 Gerhard Von Rad......................................................................................... 36 2.3.2 France.................................................................................................................... 40 2.3.2.1 Henri de Lubac............................................................................................. 40 2.3.2.2 Jean Daniélou................................................................................................ 44 v 2.3.3 England ................................................................................................................. 47 2.3.3.1 Geoffrey W. H. Lampe ................................................................................ 48 2.3.3.2 Kenneth J. Woollcombe................................................................................ 49 2.3.4 America................................................................................................................. 51 2.3.4.1 Raymond Brown........................................................................................... 52 2.3.4.2 Robert Grant................................................................................................. 55 2.3.5 Hitting the Brakes – James Barr............................................................................ 56 2.3.6 Conclusion............................................................................................................. 58 2.4 A Canonical, Figural Approach …………………………………………..…………… 59 2.4.1 Brevard Childs....................................................................................................... 59 2.4.2 Christopher Seitz.................................................................................................... 64 2.4.3 Ephraim Radner..................................................................................................... 67 2.4.4 Conclusion............................................................................................................. 69 2.5 The Theological Interpretation of Scripture……………………………………………. 71 2.5.1 Daniel Treier.......................................................................................................... 72 2.5.2 Francis Watson.......................................................................................................74 2.5.3 Conclusion............................................................................................................
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