1 & 2 Chronicles
About
In this theological reading of 1 and 2 Chronicles, Peter Leithart uncovers the narrative logic of Chronicles, highlights the role of music and government in Israel and in the church, and shows how Judah's history moves from the world of the monarchy to the postexilic world in which Israel is scattered among Gentiles.
The Brazos Theological Commentary on the Bible series encourages readers to explore how the vital roots of the ancient Christian tradition inform and shape faithfulness today. As with other volumes in the series, this commentary is designed to serve the church--providing a rich resource for preachers, teachers, students, and study groups--and to demonstrate the continuing intellectual and practical viability of theological interpretation of the Bible.
The general editor for the Brazos Theological Commentary on the Bible is R. R. Reno (editor, First Things). Series editors include Robert W. Jenson (1930-2017; Center of Theological Inquiry); Robert Louis Wilken (University of Virginia); Ephraim Radner (Wycliffe College, University of Toronto); Michael Root (Catholic University of America); and George Sumner (Episcopal Diocese of Dallas).
Volumes in the Brazos Theological Commentary on the Bible
R. R. Reno (editor, First Things) on Genesis
Thomas Joseph White (Thomistic Institute at the Angelicum in Rome) on Exodus
Ephraim Radner (Wycliffe College, University of Toronto) on Leviticus
David L. Stubbs (Western Theological Seminary) on Numbers
Telford Work (Westmont College) on Deuteronomy
Paul Hinlicky (Roanoke College) on Joshua
Laura A. Smit (Calvin University) and Stephen Fowl (Loyola University Maryland) on Judges & Ruth
Francesca Aran Murphy (University of Notre Dame) on 1 Samuel
Robert Barron (Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Los Angeles) on 2 Samuel
Peter J. Leithart (Theopolis Institute for Bible, Liturgy, and Culture) on 1 & 2 Kings
Peter J. Leithart (Theopolis Institute for Bible, Liturgy, and Culture) on 1 & 2 Chronicles
Matthew Levering (Mundelein Seminary) on Ezra & Nehemiah
Samuel Wells (St. Martin-in-the-Fields Anglican Church, London) and George Sumner (Episcopal Diocese of Dallas) on Esther & Daniel
Ellen T. Charry (Princeton Theological Seminary) on Psalms 1-50
Jason Byassee (Vancouver School of Theology) on Psalms 101-150
Daniel J. Treier (Wheaton College Graduate School) on Proverbs & Ecclesiastes
Paul J. Griffiths on Song of Songs
Robert W. Jenson (1930-2017; Center of Theological Inquiry) on Ezekiel
Phillip Cary (Eastern University) on Jonah
Stanley Hauerwas (Duke Divinity School) on Matthew
David Lyle Jeffrey (Baylor University) on Luke
Jaroslav Pelikan (1923-2006; Yale University) on Acts
Kimlyn J. Bender (Truett Theological Seminary, Baylor University) on 1 Corinthians
Kathryn Greene-McCreight (The Episcopal Church at Yale) on Galatians
Michael Allen (Reformed Theological Seminary, Orlando) on Ephesians
George Hunsinger (Princeton Theological Seminary) on Philippians
Christopher R. Seitz (Wycliffe College, University of Toronto) on Colossians
Douglas Farrow (McGill University) on 1 & 2 Thessalonians
Risto Saarinen (University of Helsinki) on the Pastoral Epistles with Philemon & Jude
Douglas Harink (The King's University College) on 1 & 2 Peter
Joseph L. Mangina (Wycliffe College, University of Toronto) on Revelation
Endorsements
"Leithart has established himself as a sensitive, close reader of the biblical text who is guided by the richness of the Christian theological tradition. This commentary is an adroit and refreshing attempt to weave together these two talents."
Gary A. Anderson, Hesburgh Professor of Catholic Theology, University of Notre Dame
"With his customary flair, Peter Leithart opens up both the structure and the typology of 1 & 2 Chronicles, offering significant assistance to any preacher who seeks to proclaim the good news from this difficult text. Leithart is especially illuminating regarding the Chronicler's theology of music and the implications of that theology for the practice of worship. By demonstrating the centrality of worship to the narrative of Chronicles, Leithart also shows the coherence of the entire narrative. This commentary will be a helpful addition to the library of any pastor, especially those responsible for the worship life of their congregations."
Laura A. Smit, professor of theology, Calvin University
Praise for the Brazos Theological Commentary on the Bible
"What a splendid idea! Many preachers have been longing for more commentaries that are not only exegetical but theological in the best sense: arising out of the conviction that God, through his Word, still speaks in our time. For those of us who take our copies of Martin Luther's Galatians and Karl Barth's Romans from the shelves on a regular basis, this new series in that tradition promises renewed vigor for preaching, and therefore for the one, holy, catholic, and apostolic church in our time."
Fleming Rutledge, author of The Bible and The New York Times and The Seven Last Words from the Cross
"This new series places the accent on 'theological' and reflects current interpretive ferment marked by growing resistance to the historical-critical project. It may be that scripture interpretation is too important to be left to the exegetes, and so a return to the theologians. We will wait with great anticipation for this new series, at least aware that the outcomes of interpretation are largely determined by the questions asked. It is never too late to ask better questions; with a focus on the theological tradition, this series holds the promise of asking interpretive questions that are deeply grounded in the primal claims of faith. The rich promise of the series is indicated by the stature and erudition of the commentators. Brazos has enormous promises to keep with this project, and we wait with eagerness for its appearing!"
Walter Brueggemann, Columbia Theological Seminary
"The Brazos Theological Commentary on the Bible makes a most welcome contribution to the church, the academic world, and the general public at large. By enlisting a wide range of Protestant, Catholic, and Orthodox theologians who differ on much, but who agree on the truth of the Nicene Creed, the series also represents ecumenical activity of the very best kind. It is always a daunting challenge to expound the church's sacred book both simply and deeply, but this impressive line-up of authors is very well situated for the attempt."
Mark A. Noll, University of Notre Dame
"Preachers and teachers in particular, but thoughtful Christians more generally, have long lamented the slide of biblical scholarship into hyper-specialized critical studies of ancient texts in remote historical context. It is no wonder, therefore, that the Brazos Theological Commentary is being so warmly welcomed. The outstanding array of authors, beginning with Jaroslav Pelikan's splendid commentary on the Acts of the Apostles, is, at long last, reclaiming the Bible as the book of the living community of faith that is the church."
Richard John Neuhaus, author of American Babylon: Notes of a Christian Exile
"Contemporary application of the Bible to life is the preacher's business. But no worthy contemporary application is possible without a thorough understanding of the ancient text. The Brazos Theological Commentary exists to provide an accessible authority so that the preacher's application will be a ready bandage for all the hurts of life. We who serve the pulpit want a commentary we can understand, and those who hear us expect us to give them a usable word. The Brazos Commentary offers just the right level of light to make illuminating the word the joy it was meant to be."
Calvin Miller, author of A Hunger for the Holy and Loving God Up Close
"For pastors, wanting to get at the theological heart of a text, there is some good stuff. When I am preaching, I usually try to take a peek at the Brazos volume."
Nijay K. Gupta, Portland Seminary
The Author
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Peter J. Leithart
Peter J. Leithart (PhD, University of Cambridge), a former pastor, is president of Theopolis Institute in Birmingham, Alabama, and a teacher at Trinity Presbyterian Church. He is the author of numerous books, including The End of Protestantism?,...
Continue reading about Peter J. Leithart
Reviews
"Leithart does an excellent job of working through the text of Chronicles systematically while at the same time consistently weaving the major themes of his interpretation. . . . Leithart also engages faithfully with literary and historical features that shape the narrator's records. The approach is a healthy balance between remaining in the focus text and bringing broader theological understanding to bear. . . . Leithart's commentary is a helpful addition to the existing works on Chronicles both for the academy and the pastorate."
Ben Hutchison,
Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society
"Leithart works through the text with a serious attempt to explain the theology of the books of Chronicles as he goes. . . . Leithart's attention to some relevant textual detail is commendable. He is particularly aware of word and phrase association, sometimes across large bodies of material, which can add a fresh perspective to previous studies. . . . Although Leithart's work is aimed primarily at exploring the theology of Chronicles in a positive spirit, he does also give pointers from time to time toward specific Christian application. . . . I applaud the sustained attempt to undertake a serious theological reading of these books. Many readers with interests in this kind of approach will benefit."
H. G. M. Willimson,
Review of Biblical Literature
"This is a fine example of a commentary designed to help those who simply want to gain some insight into a biblical book without having to encounter questions or problems that tend to be of interest only to specialists."
John R. Baker, OFM,
The Bible Today
"This commentary contains enough distinctive theological insights to be worth consulting for sermon preparation."
Peter H. W. Lau,
Themelios