Saturday Afternoon Book Review: Keith Clark

Last updated on: May 1, 2010 at 4:17 pm by Scot McKnight

Saturday Afternoon Book Review: Keith Clark 2010-05-01T16:17:01-05:00 Scot McKnight

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

When we have one available, we post book reviews on Saturday Afternoon. This review is by Keith Clark. If you’d like to submit a review to us, speak up…

Few texts are as pertinent as Exodus to the socio-cultural situation of many American Christians (of which I am one) these days. If, in fact, part of the goal of narrative as a genre is to draw readers into the story, Exodus poses significant challenges for readers like me. Unfamiliar geographical references, unpronounceable names, tediously over-descriptive language, and foreign customs can at times impose a seemingly insurmountable distance between the story and its readers. The tendency of westerners to identify with the hero(es) of the story at times creates a false sense of identification between the narrative of the text and the narrative of its readers. It is of paramount importance, then, for those of us who are readers to find a trustworthy guide to lead us through an encounter with the text so that we may be appropriately drawn into the story.

While there are certainly a number of qualified guides to follow, one of the best I’ve found is Mark Hamilton. In On the Mountain with God: Freedom and Community in Exodus

(Abilene, TX: Leafwood, 2009), Hamilton carefully navigates readers through the treacherous terrain of the Exodus story. What makes Hamilton such a noteworthy guide is his ability to balance his commitment to lead readers to the edges of some dangerous cliffs which provide glimpses into incredible scenes of life-changing beauty while avoiding the spots too risky for all but the specialist to traverse. As such, On the Mountain is a paradigmatic example of world-class scholarship bearing fruit for the sake of the church.

Hamilton begins this
tour with an orientation session (chapter 1) to familiarize readers with the
terrain to be traversed. Acknowledging up front the apparent tension between
the seemingly opposing themes of covenant and freedom, he succinctly summarizes
the story of Exodus as “a story of freedom from the shackles of oppression, in which only the powerful
have names, and freedom for a
relationship to the true and living God” (15). Additionally, the
orientation session covers both the key figures readers are likely to encounter
along the journey (Yahweh, Pharaoh, Moses, and the people of Israel) and the
themes that will occupy the discussion along the journey (the identity and
nature of God, justice in community, worship, and election).

The first phase of the
journey (chapter 2) guides readers through a lengthy tour of reflections on the
nature of God, wrestling with the pros and cons of polytheism and monotheism,
questions about the apparent absence of God, doubts as to God’s covenant
fidelity, and the knowledge, actions, and values that can appropriately be
ascribed to God. Of particular benefit in this chapter are two special features
of On the Mountain. First,
the inclusion of textboxes highlighting excursuses is particularly helpful in
this phase of the journey, as Hamilton addresses the recurring theme of
“the hardening of Pharaoh’s heart” in such a way as to dispel common
myths as to God’s role in this heart-hardening. Second, the incorporation of
imagined dialogue between the author and a reader allows Hamilton briefly to
sidestep the primary discussion to address questions and concerns likely to arise
in the heart and mind of engaged readers, while not interrupting the flow of
the broader discussion.

Intent on modeling for readers
a manner of reading Exodus in which truth is sought while its frequent
elusiveness is acknowledged, Hamilton begins the second stage (chapter 3) with
a look at one of the more bizarre episodes in scripture: Yahweh’s attempt to
kill Moses (Exodus 4:24-26). This stage is replete with challenging terrain as
the expedition no sooner departs the roadside where God tried to kill Moses
than it arrives in Pharaoh’s temple, attempting to take in that most famous of
showdowns: the plagues. Finally, this part of the journey comes to an end with
an exploration of the contrast between God’s way of relating to the Israelites
and Pharaoh’s way of relating to the Israelites. While God certainly acts
unpredictably and inexplicably at times, God is not a tyrant in the mold of
Pharaoh, but one who is committed to true relationship, however messy it may
get.

Given the recent
resurgence in attention toward issues of “social justice” the next
stretch in the journey (chapter 4) might be of the most interest to many
readers. Beginning with a dexterous exposition of Exodus 12:30-36, Hamilton
briefly spotlights the thread of “justice” running throughout the
entire Old Testament. Of particular importance when reflecting on justice,
Hamilton asserts, are its social or communal dimension and its intricate
connection to the very nature of God. Additionally, a glimpse into the
interaction between Jethro and Moses in Exodus 18 provides an opportunity to
reflect on the importance of a commitment to justice and a willingness to seek the
counsel of others on the part of spiritual leaders.

The geographically
climactic phase of the journey comes in the next stage (chapter 5) when
Hamilton guides readers to the summit of Mount Sinai to look on as Moses
receives the law from Yahweh. The tour begins with some basics: a look into the
structure of the commandments (commandments 1-4 “orient us to God,”
commandments 6-10 “focus on human relationships and processes,” and
commandment 5 “links the two”), reflections on the character-forming
intent of the commandments, insistence that the giving of the commandments is
rooted in a broader story and occurs with the intent of promoting human
flourishing, and an acknowledgement of the commandments’ educational import.
Hamilton is particularly helpful in guiding readers toward an appreciation of
the finer details of the law, while maintaining a focus on the importance of
the overarching principles which provide the shape for the commandments
themselves.

The final phase of the
journey (chapter 6) takes readers on a circuitous tour in search of a better
grasp of the importance of worship in the life of God’s people. After a brief apology
on behalf of ritual, readers arrive back in Egypt for a glimpse at Passover, in
which it becomes clear that action and attitude go hand in hand in worship.
Venturing onward toward the Reed Sea, Hamilton highlights the “threefold
movement (upward, outward, and onward)” of the song of Exodus 15:1-18.
Finally, readers return to Sinai where work (in the form of building the tabernacle)
is redeemed from its perversion in Egypt, so that the very act of work becomes
an act of worship to the God who desires to commune with humanity, and to whom
humanity responds with worship.

At the conclusion of the
journey, Hamilton guides readers in an extended reflection on the theme of
human dignity (chapter 7). He begins by recognizing it is toward the
development of dignity that Yahweh is calling the people of Israel throughout
Exodus. After wrestling briefly with the question of why God would bother to
interact with humans in the first place, Hamilton recaps the life of Moses,
noting the manner in which his interactions with God throughout his life shaped
him into a mature human being. Finally, Hamilton offers short meditations on
three themes foundational to the pursuit of dignity to which God invites
humanity: respect, transcendence, and hope, all of which draw humans out of
themselves to focus on others and the Other in order that people might be human
beings in the truest and fullest sense.

In sum, Hamilton serves
as a well-trained and exceptionally skilled, yet highly accessible tour guide
for anyone desiring to journey through the vast terrain of Exodus. While On the Mountain with God does
not thoroughly cover every episode recorded in the text or address every
critical interpretive issue, it is a fantastic resource for personal study and
for small group reflection (the included “Questions for Further
Reflection” are invaluable in this regard). This is one of the finer
examples of the benefits to be reaped by all as a result of an altruistic
relationship between the church and the academy.

Uncategorized

Previous Post

May 1, 2010

National Day of Prayer

Next Post

May 2, 2010 Prayer for the Week

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category Acts of the Apostles Adam Advent Anabaptism Angels Anglican Apologetics Atonement Baptism BCP Prayers Bible Biblical Studies Birds Blogging Bloglossary Bonhoeffer Books Calvinism Christianity Church Church History Coffee Colossians Commentary Recs Conversion Creation Creeds Culture Death Ecclesiastes Economics Education Embracing Grace Emergent Emerging Movement Eschatology Essays Ethics Eucharist Evangelicalism Family Fasting Fathers Fellowship of Differents Footsteps Tour Fun and Whimsical Gospel Grace Happiness Heaven Hell Holy Spirit Irenaeus James Jesus Jesus Creed Job Justification Kingdom of God Law Lectures Lent Liberalism Love and Marriage Mabanteneni Manhood Mary Miracles Missio Alliance MissioLife Missional Missional Jesus Movies and Film New Perspective Northern Seminary OneLife Origins Project Orthodox Parables Pastor's Spouse Pastoring and Leading Pastoring and Preaching Patristics Paul Paul-John Tour Pharisees Pietism Political Theology Prayer and Formation Preaching Problems for Faith Psalm 119 Psalms Public Issues Purgatory Religions Resurrection Revelation Romans Rule of JCreed Science and Faith Sermon on the Mount Sports Ten Commandments Theology Third Way Top Ten Lists Translations Uncategorized Universalism University Ministry Way Out Weekly Meanderings Wisdom Women and Ministry Work Worship Writing & Blogging Youth Ministry

Select a Month July 2021 January 2020 December 2019 November 2019 October 2019 September 2019 August 2019 July 2019 June 2019 May 2019 April 2019 March 2019 February 2019 January 2019 December 2018 November 2018 October 2018 September 2018 August 2018 July 2018 June 2018 May 2018 April 2018 March 2018 February 2018 January 2018 December 2017 November 2017 October 2017 September 2017 August 2017 July 2017 June 2017 May 2017 April 2017 March 2017 February 2017 January 2017 December 2016 November 2016 October 2016 September 2016 August 2016 July 2016 June 2016 May 2016 April 2016 March 2016 February 2016 January 2016 December 2015 November 2015 October 2015 September 2015 August 2015 July 2015 June 2015 May 2015 April 2015 March 2015 February 2015 January 2015 December 2014 November 2014 October 2014 September 2014 August 2014 July 2014 June 2014 May 2014 April 2014 March 2014 February 2014 January 2014 December 2013 November 2013 October 2013 September 2013 August 2013 July 2013 June 2013 May 2013 April 2013 March 2013 February 2013 January 2013 December 2012 November 2012 October 2012 September 2012 August 2012 July 2012 June 2012 May 2012 April 2012 March 2012 February 2012 January 2012 December 2011 November 2011 October 2011 September 2011 August 2011 July 2011 June 2011 May 2011 April 2011 March 2011 February 2011 January 2011 December 2010 November 2010 October 2010 September 2010 August 2010 July 2010 June 2010 May 2010 April 2010 March 2010 February 2010 January 2010 December 2009 November 2009 October 2009 September 2009 August 2009 July 2009 June 2009 May 2009 April 2009 March 2009 February 2009 January 2009 December 2008 November 2008 October 2008 September 2008 August 2008 July 2008 June 2008 May 2008 April 2008 March 2008 February 2008 January 2008 December 2007 November 2007 October 2007 September 2007 August 2007 July 2007 June 2007 May 2007 April 2007 March 2007 February 2007 January 2007 December 2006 November 2006 October 2006 September 2006 August 2006 July 2006 June 2006 May 2006 April 2006 March 2006 February 2006 January 2006 December 2005 November 2005 October 2005 September 2005 August 2005 July 2005 June 2005 May 2005 April 2005 0000

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

Who were Isaac and Rebekah's twin sons?

Select your answer to see how you score.

Joseph and Benjamin Cain and Abel Simeon and Levi Esau and Jacob