Images of Salvation in the New Testament - by Brenda B Colijn (Paperback)

About the Book

"The New Testament does not develop a systematic doctrine of salvation," writes Brenda Colijn. "Instead, it presents us with a variety of pictures taken from different perspectives." Students of the New Testament and of theology will both find their vision broadened and their understanding deepened by this rich, informative study. As the author seeks to understand their implications for people of faith, she uncovers how New Testament images provide the building blocks of the master story of redemption.

Book Synopsis

What does salvation in the New Testament look like?"The New Testament does not develop a systematic doctrine of salvation," writes Brenda Colijn. "Instead, it presents us with a variety of pictures taken from different perspectives. From one angle, the human predicament is rebellion against God. Salvation looks like living under God's universal reign. From another angle, the human predicament is bondage to both internal and external forces. Salvation looks like freedom from those forces. From yet a third angle, the human predicament looks like alienation from God, from other people, from creation and even from one's own best self. Salvation looks like the restoration of those relationships."Colijn, who holds degrees in English literature as well as theology, embraces a critical-realist methodology that incorporates New Testament theology, literary criticism and theological interpretation. She advocates listening to the individual authors of Scripture in their own social-cultural and historical settings, while looking for how the texts work both individually and collectively at a literary level.Students of the New Testament and of theology will both find their vision broadened and their understanding deepened by this rich, informative study. As the author seeks to understand their implications for people of faith, she uncovers how New Testament images provide the building blocks of the master story of redemption.

Review Quotes

"A very long time ago, George Caird wrote a classic titled The Language and Imagery of the Bible. In it Caird showed the considerable importance of careful scrutiny of key images used of various theological and ethical concepts. In her new book, Images of Salvation in the New Testament, Brenda Colijn in a careful and artful way, focusing on soteriological images, has done for our current generation what Caird did for his. Highly recommended for those wanting to understand not merely the nature of salvation but also its many facets and dimensions."

"Reading through Colijn's survey reveals the extraordinary richness of the New Testament view of salvation and the importance of translating this concept into images and metaphors that connect with human experience."

"This book is recommended for serious Bible students interested in the doctrine of salvation or New Testament theology. It would be an excellent resource for an adult Sunday school class or sermon series."

About the Author

Brenda B. Colijn (Ph.D., Cornell University) is professor of biblical interpretation and theology at Ashland Theological Seminary in Ashland, Ohio.