Transforming Visions: Transformations of Text Tradition and Theology in Ezekiel: 127 (Princeton Theological Monographs)

Synopsis: This volume includes nine essays that move Ezekiels creative reuse of older materials to the foreground of discussion. The essays highlight the transformation of earlier texts traditions and theology in Ezekiel. They explore the diverse ways that Ezekiel reshapes Israels legal texts rituals oracles against foreign nations royal ideology conception of the individual remembrance of the past and hope for the future. The work concludes by noting the subsequent transformation of Ezekiel in scribal transmission and in the New Testament. Endorsements: Tooman and Lyons present a wide range of significant scholars who address the key issue in Exilic and especially Ezekiel studies today--why and how did an almost total transformation of Israels Religion take place during the Exile. Before exile it was centered on active royal ritualistic and oracular activity; after exile it centered on priestly-legislated and tradition-centered guidance of practical observance. The authors offer important insights on the concepts of idolatry divine and human kingship individual versus corporate moral responsibility the role of divine holiness the Exodus tradition the importance of priestly viewpoints and the way the Book of Ezekiel was written and enlarged. This single volume brings together all major trends in Ezekiel studies today. --Lawrence Boadt CSP Professor Emeritus Washington Theological Union The present volume edited by two rising Ezekiel scholars Michael A. Lyons and William A. Tooman makes a substantive contribution to the burgeoning discussion of the book of Ezekiel by emphasizing the theme of transformation understood in relation to the text of Ezekiel the traditions on which it draws and by which it developed and its theological perspectives. Each essay engages a different aspect of the study of the book and thereby opens and advances scholarly dialog in its own right. Marvin A. Sweeney from the Foreword Editor Biography: William A. Tooman is Lecturer in Old Testament at University of St. Andrews Scotland. Michael A. Lyons is Assistant Professor of Old Testament at Simpson University. He is the author of From Law to Prophecy: Ezekiels Use of the Holiness Code. CONTRIBUTORS: Daniel I. Block Wheaton College Graduate School Tova Ganzel Bar-Ilan University Paul M. Joyce St. Peters College Oxford University Beate Kowalski University of Koblenz-Landau Thomas Krüger University of Zurich Michael A. Lyons Simpson University Timothy Mackie University of Wisconsin-Madison Jill Middlemas Århus University Paul R. Raabe Concordia Seminary Baruch Schwartz Hebrew University William A. Tooman University of St. Andrews