The Main Theological Concerns Within the Book of Deuteronomy

2387 Words5 Pages

The Main Theological Concerns Within the Book of Deuteronomy The book of Deuteronomy is one of the most important and extensive

books within the Old Testament. Its content is diverse and explicit,

focussing specifically on the introduction of an apparently new and

radical theology. One of its primary aims was not, as many OT books

had done previously, to initiate and educate a minority of the

Israelite people, rather its aim was to teach and manifest the

theology of the nation to the nation[1]; and promulgate a

comprehensible religion proposing unrivalled belief in and devotion to

YHWH.

Of the theological concerns within the book of Deuteronomy, the

doctrine of God is easily the most important, and is explicitly

referred to throughout the book. The Deuteronomic writers were trying

to initiate the people to a new line of thought, to destroy the

superstitious and magical elements present within Israel[2]. That

there were many rival sects within Israel at that time was of great

importance for the foundation of Deuteronomic theology. It tried to

clearly express the nation's belief in one God, in order to curb the

encroaching sects and cults. Chapter 6:5 explicitly asserts that

there is in Israel one single God, namely YHWH, and that the

Israelites are now part of a monotheistic nation[3]. From this God

emanates power and love...

... middle of paper ...

...my, p58ff

[15] G.von Rad, Studies in Deuteronomy, p43

[16] R.E.Clements, Deuteronomy, p53

[17] A.D.H.Mayes, Deuteronomy, p63

[18] R.E.Clements, Deuteronomy, p57

[19] A.D.H.Mayes, Deuteronomy, p66

[20] ibid., p58

[21] P.C.Craigie, Deuteronomy, p37

[22] ibid., p37f

[23] ibid., p38ff

[24] R.E.Clements, God's Chosen People, p51

[25] J.G.McConville, Law and Theology in Deuteronomy, p11

[26] ibid., p18

[27] A.D.H.Mayes, Deuteronomy, p71

[28] ibid., p71/2

[29] R.E.Clements, Deuteronomy, p64

[30] J.G.McConville, Law and Theology in Deuteronomy, p18

[31] A.D.H.Mayes, Deuteronomy, p74

[32] R.E.Clements, Deuteronomy, p60

[33] ibid., p61

[34] ibid., p60ff

[35] J.G.McConville, Law and Theology in Deuteronomy, p19ff

[36] P.C.Craigie, Deuteronomy, p42

More about The Main Theological Concerns Within the Book of Deuteronomy

Open Document