Fall 2017 • vol. 72, no. 2 published by the faculty of asbury theological seminary seminary theological of asbury the faculty published by The Asbury Journal Fall 2017 Vol. 72, No. 2 TheAsbui ournal EDITOR Robert Danielson EDITORIAL BOARD Kenneth J. Collins Professor of Historical Theology and Wesley Studies J. Steven O’Malley Professor of Methodist Holiness History EDITORIAL ADVISORY PANEL William Abraham, Perkins School of Theology David Bundy, New York Theological Seminary Ted Campbell, Perkins School of Theology Hyungkeun Choi, Seoul Theological University Richard Heitzenrater, Duke University Divinity School Scott Kisker, Wesley Theological Seminary Sarah Lancaster, Methodist Theological School of Ohio Gareth Lloyd, University of Manchester Randy Maddox, Duke University Divinity School Nantachai Medjuhon, Muang Thai Church, Bangkok, Thailand Stanley Nwoji, Pastor, Lagos, Nigeria Paul Numrich, Theological Consortium of Greater Columbus Dana Robert, Boston University Howard Snyder, Manchester Wesley Research Centre L. Wesley de Souza, Candler School of Theology Leonard Sweet, Drew University School of Theology Amos Yong, Regent University Hwa Yung, United Methodist Church, Kuala Lampur, Malaysia All inquiries regarding subscriptions, back issues, permissions to reprint, manuscripts for submission, and books for review should be addressed to: The Asbury Journal Asbury Theological Seminary 204 N. Lexington Avenue, Wilmore, KY 40390 FAX: 859-858-2375 http://place.asburyseminary.edu/asburyjournal/ © Copyright 2017 by Asbury Theological Seminary ISSN 1090-5642 The Asbury Journal VOLUME 72:2 Fall 2017 TABLE OF CONTENTS 6 From the President 8 A Singular Israel in a Pluralistic World Bill T. Arnold 21 A Prophet Like Moses? Who or Why? Daniel I. Block 35 Seeing Double: An Iconographic Reading of Genesis 2-3 Christina Bosserman 51 Paganism, Wesley, and the Means of Grace Joseph R. Dongell 67 Isaiah’s Model House Nancy Erickson 80 A Prophet Unlike Moses: Balaam as Prophetic Intercessor L. Daniel Hawk 91 The Function of Psalmic Prayers in Chronicles: Literary- Rhetorical Method in ConVersation With Ritual Theory Michael D. Matlock 107 The Song of the Sea and the SubVersion of Canaanite Myth: A Missional Reading Brian D. Russell 119 “I’m Gonna Make You Famous”: Joshua 6:23-27 Lawson G. Stone 133 Yet Another Try on Job 42: 6 David L. Thompson Features 143 From the Archives: G. Herbert Livingston and the Archaeology of Ai 153 Book Reviews 169 Books Received Timothy C. Tennent President and Publisher Douglas Mathews Provost The Asbury Journal publishes scholarly essays and book reviews written from a Wesleyan perspective. The Journal’s authors and audience refect the global reality The Asbury Journal is a of the Christian church, the holistic nature of Wesleyan continuation of the Asbury thought, and the importance of both theory and practice Seminarian (1945-1985, in addressing the current issues of the day. Authors vol. 1-40) and The Asbury Theological Journal (1986- include Wesleyan scholars, scholars of Wesleyanism/ 2005, vol. 41-60). Articles Methodism, and scholars writing on issues of theological in The Asbury Journal are and theological education importance. indexed in The Christian Periodical Index and Religion Index One: Periodicals (RIO); book reviews are indexed in ISSN 1090-5642 Index to Book Reviews in Religion (IBRR). Both RIO and IBRR are published by Published in April and October the American Theological Library Association, 5600 Articles and reviews may be copied for personal or South Woodlawn Avenue, classroom use. Permission to otherwise reprint essays Chicago, IL 60637, and are and reviews must be granted permission by the editor available online through BRS Information Technologies and the author. and DIALOG Information Services. Articles starting with volume 43 are abstracted in Religious and Theological Abstracts and New Test- ament Abstracts. Volumes in microform of the Asbury Seminarian (vols. 1-40) and the Asbury Theological Journal (vols. 41-60) are available from University Microfilms International, 300 North Zeeb Road, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48106. The Asbury Journal 72/2: 6-7 © 2017 Asbury Theological Seminary DOI: 10.7252/Journal.02.2017F.01 From the President The Dominican philosopher Ralph Powell once said, “It is hard to see the whole picture when you are inside the frame.” This statement underscores one of the most diffcult challenges facing Christian readers of the Old Testament; namely, the hermeneutical challenge of reading the text simultaneously from two perspectives. On the one hand, every text of the Old Testament is rooted in the authentic particularity of its own cultural, historical and textual setting. Every prophecy, psalm, wisdom saying, or historical account retains its own distinctive message within all the normal cultural and linguistic parameters that defnes authentic communication within specifc settings. On the other hand, there is a larger frame that we must be attentive to. We must also recognize the peculiar quality of divine inspiration and revelation such that all biblical texts are framed within the larger setting of God’s self-disclosure, the missio Dei, and the unfolding drama of redemption, which fnds its climax in the person, and work of Jesus Christ. Nowhere is this dramatic tension more readily on display than when the Apostle John brings together two quotations from Isaiah 53 and Isaiah 6 and then, quite boldly states, “Isaiah said this because he saw Jesus’ glory and spoke about him” (John 12:41). Clearly Isaiah is speaking in two ways. He is speaking about the suffering of Israel, but he is also anticipating the even more profound suffering of the coming messiah. Seeing both frames is essential for good biblical interpretation. Indeed, it is the capacity to read texts from both perspectives that empowers the author of Hebrews to introduce a series of quotations from the Old Testament and yet puts them in the lips of Jesus with the remarkable statement, “Jesus is not ashamed to call them brothers. He says…” (Heb. 2:11f). Many more illustrations could be shown, all demonstrating the inspired capacity of the early church to read texts simultaneously within their own setting as well as within the larger setting of God’s unfolding plan of redemption. Few scholars have grappled with these twin realities more than the Brandeis trained professor John Oswalt, for whom these essays are dedicated. His two-volume work in Isaiah, in particular, established him as a leading scholar in Old Testament studies. His perspective on the messianic texts of From the President 7 Isaiah, which simultaneously honors both their original setting and their prophetic power, is arguably unparalleled among Old Testament scholars. He knows how to work within the frame of a particular text without losing sight of the larger frame of the great meta-narrative of redemption. Dr. Oswalt has also distinguished himself as a classroom teacher. His decades of mentoring students at Wesley Biblical Seminary and Asbury Theological Seminary have brought forth a lasting legacy in the lives and ministries of his students. If it is true that our greatest work is not what we accomplish, but what we enable others to accomplish, then only heaven will fully tell the story of the impact of the life and teaching of Dr. John Oswalt. His unwavering commitment to the word of God, his rigorous scholarship and his unfinching commitment to go where the text leads him has inspired several generations of younger scholars who continue to serve within the great historic tradition of the church. The multiplying effect of mentoring is as ancient as Jesus pouring himself into his disciples, and as contemporary as the latest graduation exercise. This is the very nature of biblical discipleship. This volume is a festschrift honoring the scholarly legacy and teaching of John Oswalt. Each contributor in this volume has been a colleague or an associate of his, and therefore it serves as a wonderful testimony honoring his life and teaching. I commend these essays with the same simultaneous reading as Dr. Oswalt has so nobly advanced. May each essay be read within the context of its own contribution to advancing Old Testament scholarship. Yet, may each also be read within the larger context of the collective word of appreciation from the academic community for the legacy of Dr. John Oswalt as a preacher, a scholar, a mentor and one who, above all, has given his life to the extension of the glorious gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. Timothy C. Tennent, PhD Professor of World Christianity President, Asbury Theological Seminary The Asbury Journal 72/2: 8-20 © 2017 Asbury Theological Seminary DOI: 10.7252/Journal.02.2017F.02 Bill T. Arnold A Singular Israel in a Pluralistic World1 Abstract The question of Israel’s distinctiveness in the ancient Near East was a central concern of the biblical theology movement in the mid-twentieth century. The excessive claims and overstatements of that movement were corrected later in the twentieth century. Most scholars today assume the question is settled in a consensus that Old Testament Israel was not distinctive, and was completely at home in the ancient world in every respect. This paper explores three ways in which ancient Israel was indeed at home in ancient Near Eastern culture, while also suggesting ways in which Israel’s religious convictions led to a genuinely unique profle in the ancient world. Keywords: Israelite worship, Temple, sacrifces, sacred festivals Bill T. Arnold (PhD, Hebrew Union College – Jewish Institute of Religion) is the Paul S. Amos Professor of Old Testament Interpretation at Asbury Theological Seminary in Wilmore, Kentucky. 8 Arnold : A singulAr isrAel 9 Introduction The Church has struggled throughout Christian history with precisely how the people of God are “in the world” but not “of the world” (John 17:11,14,16). The missio Dei has at times been complicated, or even jeopardized, by the assumptions that culture and societal norms are somehow identifed with the core of Christian faith.