A Mouth full of fire: The Word Of God In The Words Of Jeremiah (New Studies in Biblical Theology)

In the book of Jeremiah the vocabulary of word and words is not only uniquely prevalent but formulae marking divine speech also play an unprecedented role in giving the books final form its narrative and theological shape. Indeed the word of the Lord is arguably the main character and a theology that is both distinctive and powerful can be seen to emerge from the unfolding narrative. In this stimulating study Andrew Shead examines Jeremiahs use of word language; the prophets formation as an embodiment of the Word of God; his covenant preaching and the crisis it precipitates concerning the recognition of true prophecy; and in the oracles of hope how the power of the Word of God is finally made manifest. Shead then brings this reading of Jeremiah to bear on some issues in contemporary theology including the problem of divine agency and the doctrine of Scripture and concludes by engaging Jeremiahs doctrine of the Word of God in conversation with Karl Barth. The prophets major contribution emerges from his careful differentiation of word and words.