The Lion Has Roared: Theological Themes in the Prophetic Literature of the Old Testament

Synopsis: Throughout ages the prophetic literature of the Old Testament has always fascinated its readers. Up to our modern times the bold prophetic message of doom and salvation continually triggers our imagination. At the same time the books of the prophets confront us with many questions as to their aim and theological content challenging us to translate their message in our own actual context. The Lion Has Roared--an image used by the prophets themselves--was written to meet the need for a better understanding of the prophets. By taking into account recent trends in current scholarship on the prophetic literature in the Old Testament this book explores the core theological message of each individual prophetic book including the book of Daniel. This is done by viewing each book both from a historical and literary perspective. A selected bibliography on each prophetic book is also provided to guide the interested reader to further reading. This unique volume was written by sixteen Old Testament scholars from Africa America Asia and Europe for use by students of theology and religious studies pastors and preachers and interested lay readers. Endorsements: This book provides a valuable introduction to the Old Testament Writing Prophets. It focuses on the rich variety of theological themes found in these books. The various contributors from different countries each value the prophetic message as part of Gods salvation history which found its culmination in the coming of Christ. I will certainly recommend this book to my students. --Hetty Lalleman Spurgeons College Peelss and Snymans winsome book on the prophets timely themes of grace and mercy in the context of divine wrath and judgment is a welcome addition to the Old Testament teachers toolkit. The introduction to the nature of Old Testament prophecy clearly sets the stage for the essays by gifted and experienced scholars on the individual prophets. Treating Daniel under the theme of Gods veiled presence provides a sober finishing touch for hearing the prophets today. --Arie C. Leder Calvin Theological Seminary With a canonical approach taken emphasis is put on understanding Scripture as a whole which makes this book suitable not only for Old Testament scholars but for scholars of the whole Scripture. I found this book very informative and enhancing and I would surely recommend it to students pastors and scholars of the Old Testament. --Chris van der Walt North-West University Editor Biography: Hendrik G. L. (Eric) Peels is Professor of Old Testament Studies at the Theological University of the Christian Reformed Churches in Apeldoorn the Netherlands. He is author of The Vengeance of God (1995) Shadow Sides (2003) and coeditor of Psalms and Prayers (2007). He published several studies in Dutch on the image of God and the theme of violence in the Old Testament. He is currently preparing a commentary on the book of Jeremiah. S. D. Snyman is Professor of Old Testament Studies at the Faculty of Theology at the University of the Free State in South Africa. He wrote a doctoral dissertation on the book of Malachi (1985) and authored or coauthored several other publications in the field of the Old Testament especially on the Book of the Twelve and the Psalms both in South Africa and in Europe. He is currently writing a commentary on the book of Malachi.