Connection between the Figures of Adam, David and Jesus - Assignment Example

summary of a scholarly article regarding a biblical book Department SUMMARY OF A SCHOLARLY ARTICLE REGARDING A BIBLICAL BOOK The Bible is generally divided into two unequal parts: the Old and the New Testament. However, the scholars argue that there is a strong connection between then, Scott W. Hahn in his Christ, Kingdom and Creation in Luke-Acts points out that Luke the Evangelist in his text makes a clear connection between the figures of Adam, David and Jesus, forming a single narration that goes through many books. Royal Davidic Christology in Luke The author argues that there are at least seven aspects in which David is similar to Jesus. The first one is called a foundational covenant. It means that both these figures are associated with a covenant that they had with God. The next aspect is divine filiation of the monarch. Indeed, both David and Jesus are called a Son of god. Then there is a clear messianic status of the monarch: while David is praised as the Messiah, Jesus is the Messiah. The fourth aspect is centrality of Jerusalem: all major events of both lives take place in Jerusalem. For example, David proclaimed this city as the capital of the new kingdom, while Jesus was crucified in this city. Another aspect is centrality of the Temple. Indeed, the life of David is firmly connected to the erection of the Temple. On the other hand, Jesus preaches to the people from the Temple. The sixth point of comparison is the emergence of the international empire. Thus, David is known as a ruler who was able to conquer different nations and bring them under the power of Jerusalem. The name was done by Jesus, but in terms of spiritual teaching. Finally, the people thought that both David and Jesus would have eternal rule. In other words, they were regarded as leaders until the end of days. The Davidic Kingdom and Creation The author points out that many times in Luke-Acts, the Evangelist shows that the kingdom of David should be considers in close connection to the earliest book of the Old Testament, namely Genesis. First of all, the Solomonic temple which is the central building in life of David should be seen as microcosm. Indeed, the Scriptures say that the Lord agrees to give strength to the house of David if the latter creates house for God. Furthermore, the Temple was deliberated designed to remind of the Eden which people left in the beginning of times. For example, it was set on a hill with a river flowing next to it. Secondly, there is a strong parallel that is drawn between Adam and David. They both are referred to as second only to God which implies their great importance for the world. Moreover, each of them is granted with the universal dominion over all the things in the world. Thus, while Adam is perceived as the master of the early creation, David is thought to be the kind of all the world known to the Jews. Finally, the text uses same names to call them, namely “Son of God”. It is rather strange since this it thought to be the title of Jesus. Nevertheless, it is used continuously in the Old Testament to denote these figures. Finally, the covenant of David is regarded as the fulfillment of the creation purpose. Such attitude is thought to reflect the desire to situate David within the universal framework of narration that exists in the Old Testament. Indeed, the Kingdom which was ruled by him is often referred to as the high point of development of the Jewish civilization and is seen as the pinnacle of it. Furthermore, this succession is developed further, showing that while Adam was created by God and received the first covenant, the success of the Kingdom of David restored the forgotten covenant and only Jesus was able to make the covenant fulfill. The Old Testament Background The third point that the author makes circles around the fact that the narration that is presented in the Old Testament is not only reaffirmed, but is also developed and completed by the New Testament. For example, there are numerous references to the former when it comes to various events taken place in the latter. Thus, in the scene of baptism of Jesus, there are many images that can be linked to the Old Testament, including direct quotes from it. In addition to that, the image of Jesus is also connected to the image of Adam in small details. For example, they are tempted with similar things, but resist all the temptations. Furthermore, when Jesus talks to His disciples He often uses words that also have a meaning of “making a covenant”, suggesting that His activity was foreseen. Indeed, Jesus should be recognized by the Jews as a legal heir of David. That is why He was his direct successor which makes Him eligible for all the rights that are associated with this ancestry. Similar to David, Jesus renews a covenant between the people and God; however, this time it is not made through erection of the Temple, but rather through His own blood that will be spilled to save the humanity from the sin. Different passages from Luke-Acts show that the Pentecost is celebrated as the beginning of the new era and the disciples are regarded as those who will conduct vice-regency over the new kingdom that exists in the world: the kingdom of Christ. In other words, the Israeli people who were scattered around the known world during various events are now able to be united and live peacefully with the gentiles. In other words, the reign of David over Israel is continued, but in exists in a different form: it is not earthly now, but heavenly. That is why the prophesy of his eternal reign was a correct one. Conclusion Having examined all the points that were brought up in the paragraphs above, it is clear that the author shows that there is a strong succession between the two parts of the Bible and it is easily seen in Luke-Acts. Works Cited Hahn, Scott H. "Christ, Kingdom and Creation in Luke-Acts." Accessed June 1, 2015. http://www.scotthahn.com/download/attachment/1931. Read More