The Red Sea Crossing and Christian Baptism: a Study in Typology and Liturgy
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View metadata, citation and similar papers at core.ac.uk brought to you by CORE provided by Durham e-Theses Durham E-Theses The Red Sea Crossing and Christian Baptism: A Study in Typology and Liturgy ROBERTS, ALASTAIR,JOHN How to cite: ROBERTS, ALASTAIR,JOHN (2015) The Red Sea Crossing and Christian Baptism: A Study in Typology and Liturgy , Durham theses, Durham University. Available at Durham E-Theses Online: http://etheses.dur.ac.uk/10977/ Use policy This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution Non-commercial No Derivatives 3.0 (CC BY-NC-ND) Academic Support Oce, Durham University, University Oce, Old Elvet, Durham DH1 3HP e-mail: [email protected] Tel: +44 0191 334 6107 http://etheses.dur.ac.uk THE RED SEA CROSSING AND CHRISTIAN BAPTISM A STUDY IN TYPOLOGY AND LITURGY ALASTAIR J. ROBERTS ABSTRACT The aim of this thesis is to present a case for the importance of typology, both in the relationship between Scripture and sacrament and for the inclusion of the Christian believer into the drama of redemption. I endeavour to demonstrate the theoretical possibility of an account of the operation and efficacy of baptism for which typology is integral. Exploring canonical and historical uses of the biblical narratives of Exodus and the Red Sea crossing, I give examples of the scriptural resources afforded to such an account and of the shapes that it might take. In the opening chapter of the thesis, I build on the methodological foundation of Louis-Marie Chauvet’s account of the symbolic efficacy of the sacraments, developing his position in a direction that places a greater accent upon temporality. Within my second chapter, I present a theological account and defence of typological hermeneutics. In the two chapters that follow, I trace the contours of Exodus and Red Sea crossing typology within the Old and New Testaments. Chapters 5 and 6 advance an integrated account of Scripture, the Church, the sacraments, and the body, drawing together the various threads of my argument to that point. I argue that typology provides a means by which we can mediate between elements of Christian faith and practice that are often disjointed. In Chapter 7, I discuss the use of Red Sea crossing typology within baptismal liturgy and teaching in the first four centuries of the Church. I reflect critically upon the liturgical piety of the fourth and fifth centuries. My final chapter employs the work of Charles Taylor to frame our current crisis of liturgical piety. I conclude that a recovery of typology provides us with invaluable resources with which to address the particular problems that Christian liturgy currently faces. THE RED SEA CROSSING AND CHRISTIAN BAPTISM A STUDY IN TYPOLOGY AND LITURGY BY ALASTAIR J. ROBERTS SUBMITTED FOR THE DEGREE OF DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY AT THE UNIVERSITY OF DURHAM DEPARTMENT OF THEOLOGY AND RELIGION 2014 TABLE OF CONTENTS Acknowledgements ........................................................................................................... 8 Chapter 1: AND THE WATERS WERE DIVIDED ................................................... 12 1. Divided Waters ......................................................................................................... 12 2. Through Divided Waters ........................................................................................... 17 3. Towards a Recovery of Symbol ................................................................................ 19 4. Symbol ...................................................................................................................... 29 5. Symbolic Exchange .................................................................................................. 37 6. Time in Chauvet ........................................................................................................ 44 7. From Symbol to Typology ........................................................................................ 50 8. Typology, Ritual, and Music .................................................................................... 52 9. Conclusion ................................................................................................................ 58 Chapter 2: THESE THINGS BECAME OUR EXAMPLES...................................... 59 1. Allegory .................................................................................................................... 59 2. Reservations about Figural Readings ........................................................................ 64 3. Historicism and Biblical Criticism ............................................................................ 70 4. The Recovery of Biblical Narrative and Typology ................................................... 73 5. Typology and Time ................................................................................................... 79 6. Intratestamental Developments ................................................................................. 82 7. Sacramental Typology .............................................................................................. 89 8. The Typology of Jesus’ Baptism and Wilderness Trials .......................................... 89 8.1 John the Baptist ................................................................................................... 89 8.2 Jesus’ Baptism .................................................................................................... 91 8.2.1 Matthew’s Account ..................................................................................... 93 8.2.2 Mark’s Account .......................................................................................... 94 8.2.3 Luke’s Account ........................................................................................... 97 8.2.4 Ezekiel and Luke’s Jesus ............................................................................ 99 8.2.1 Danielic Themes ....................................................................................... 100 9. Conclusion .............................................................................................................. 102 Chapter 3: IN THE CLOUD AND IN THE SEA ...................................................... 103 1. Passover and Supper ............................................................................................... 103 2. Exodus Themes in the Gospels ............................................................................... 105 3. Exodus Themes in Acts .......................................................................................... 111 4. Exodus Themes in Romans ..................................................................................... 114 5. Exodus Themes in Hebrews .................................................................................... 118 6. 1 Corinthians 10 and the Use of Typology ............................................................. 123 7. Conclusion .............................................................................................................. 134 Chapter 4: THE HORSE AND ITS RIDER............................................................... 136 1. The Exodus Pattern ................................................................................................. 136 2. Anticipations of the Exodus .................................................................................... 138 3. The Red Sea, the Jordan, and the Wilderness ......................................................... 141 4. Archetypes .............................................................................................................. 144 4.1 Corporate Personality........................................................................................ 144 4.2 Archetypal Events ............................................................................................. 147 5. Later Biblical Treatments ....................................................................................... 150 5.1 Movement to New Exodus................................................................................ 150 5.2 New Testament Use of the Symbolism ............................................................. 153 6. Conclusion .............................................................................................................. 158 Chapter 5: AND THE MOST HIGH UTTERED HIS VOICE ................................ 160 1. Taking Our Bearings ............................................................................................... 160 2. A Dramatic Doctrine of Scripture ........................................................................... 162 3. Scripture and the Liturgical Drama ......................................................................... 166 4. The Sacraments as Performative Language Acts .................................................... 169 5. The Sacraments and the Body ................................................................................. 175 6. The Efficacious Typology of Vanhoozer’s Doctrine of Scripture .......................... 179 7. Participation and Time ............................................................................................ 182 Chapter 6: WHEN YOU PASS THROUGH THE WATERS .................................. 188 1. Word Made Flesh .................................................................................................... 188 2. The Body ................................................................................................................