Revisiting Sinai Covenant Theology, Its Values and Resonances for Today
##plugins.themes.bootstrap3.article.main##
The relevance of Sinai covenant (Exod 19-24, 32-34; Deut, Josh-2kings) in Hebrew and Christian religions cannot be overemphasized. It is a point of departure for understanding Israel’s basic religion and its components: God’s relationship with his people, the kingship of God, revelation and liberation from myth. It also illumines the riches of Israel’s history, its persons, liturgy, rituals, cults and commandments, the role of the prophets, fulfilled in Christ, the Messiah stressed by our honoree in the course of his ministries. Many would see it as a conditional and relational covenant binding both God and his people. Its meaning, nature, and patterns as discussed historically, pastorally and contextually in this essay, went through various roots of nuances and shifts in the ancient Near East, Hebrew, Greek and Roman cultures, including commitment, faithfulness, resilience, and obedience, trust in divine providence and sharing together. Finally, its relevance, NT resonances and theological importance of Sinai Covenant for the church in African and beyond are highlighted.
References
-
Arnold, B. T. (2009). Genesis. New Cambridge Bible Commentary. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
Google Scholar
1
-
Boschi, G. G. (2008). Due Testamenti, Una Sola Storia.Collana “Teologia” 31. Rome: Edizioni Studio Domenicano.
Google Scholar
2
-
Boschi. (2009). L’AlleanzaNellaBibbia. Lecture Note. Rome: Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas.
Google Scholar
3
-
Boadt, L. (2012). Reading the Old Testament: An Introduction, revised and updated by Richard Clifford and Daniel. New York: Paulist Press.
Google Scholar
4
-
Bright, J. (1976). Covenant and Promises: The Prophetic Understanding of the Future in Pre-Exilic Israel. Philadelphia: The Westminster Press.
Google Scholar
5
-
Vaticana, L. E. (1994). Catechism of the Catholic Church (2nd ed.). Libreria Editric Vaticana.
Google Scholar
6
-
Coogan, M. D. (2006). The Old Testament: A History and Literary Introduction to the Hebrew Scriptures. New York: Oxford University Press.
Google Scholar
7
-
CBCN, (2022). Human Fraternity: Path to Building Sustainable Peace in Nigeria; A Communique. Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria (CBCN). Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria Resource Centre, Durumi, Abuja, 5-11 March 2022.
Google Scholar
8
-
Eichrodt, W. (1961). Theology of the Old Testament, volume 1, trans. J. A. Baker. Philadelphia: Westminster Press.
Google Scholar
9
-
Ellis, P. F. (1976). The Men and the Message of the Old Testament. 3rd ed. Collegeville, MI: The Liturgical Press, 1976.
Google Scholar
10
-
Friedman, R. E. (1997). Who Wrote the Bible? New York: HarperSanFrancisco.
Google Scholar
11
-
Haffemann. J. S. (2007). The Covenant Relationship, in Central Themes in Biblical Theology; Mapping Unity in Diversity. (Scott J. Hafemann and Pau R. House Eds.), pp. 20-65.Grand Rapids, Michigan. Baker Academic.
Google Scholar
12
-
Herion, G. A. (1987). “Covenant,” in Eerdmans Dictionary of the Bible, ed. Allen Myers. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans.
Google Scholar
13
-
Hahn, S. (2005). Covenant in the Old and New Testaments: Some Recent Research (1994-2004). Currents in Biblical Research 3(2005): 263-92.
Google Scholar
14
-
Isichei, E. (1995). A History of Christianity in Africa: From Antiquity to the Present Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans.
Google Scholar
15
-
Kessler, J. (2013). Old Testament Theology: Divine Call and Human Response. Waco, Texas: Balor University Press.
Google Scholar
16
-
Knoppers, G. N. (1996). Ancient Near Eastern Royal Grants and the Davidic Covenant: A Parallel? JAOS, 116(1996).
Google Scholar
17
-
Kutsch, E.(1997) trrB. bérȋth Obligation. TLOT, 1, pp. 256–266.
Google Scholar
18
-
Levenson, J. D. (1985). Sinai and Zion: An Entry into the Jewish Bible, paperback, ed., New Voices in the Bible. Minneapolis: Winston.
Google Scholar
19
-
McCarthy, D. J. (1978). Treaty and covenant: A Study in Form in the Ancient Oriental Documents and in the Old Testament. AnBib 21a. Rome: Biblical Institute.
Google Scholar
20
-
McKenzie, J. L. (1990). Aspects of Old Testament Thought. In R. E. Brown, J. A. Fitzmyer, & R. E. Murphy (Eds.), The New Jerome Biblical Commentary (pp. 1284-1315). Prentice Hall: New Jersey.
Google Scholar
21
-
Mendenhall, G. E., & Herion, G. A. (1992). Covenant. In D. N. Freedman (Ed.), The Anchor Bible Dictionary (Vol. 1, pp. 1179–1202). Doubleday: New York.
Google Scholar
22
-
Mead, J. K. (2007). Biblical Theology; Issues Methods, and Themes. Westminster John Knox Press: Louisville.
Google Scholar
23
-
Moran, W. L. (1963). The Ancient Near Eastern Background Of The Love Of God In Deuteronomy. The Catholic Biblical Quarterly, 25(1), 77–87.
Google Scholar
24
-
Muli, R. M. (2020). The State of Christianity in Africa. In J. W. Carter (Ed.), Light in a Once Dark World: Contemporary Issues in Nigerian Christianity (Vol. 2, pp. 312-318). Haysville, NC.
Google Scholar
25
-
Nowell, I. (1996). Covenant. The New Dictionary of Theology. Edited by Joseph A. Komonchak, Mary Collins and Dermot A. Lane. pp. 243-246. Bangalore: Theological Publications in India.
Google Scholar
26
-
Nyoyoko, V. (2002). Dialogue and Inculturation, in Reconciliation and Renewal of Services in the Church: Lineamenta for the First Synod Catholic Diocese of Ikot Ekpene, 105-131. Uyo: Trinity Press.
Google Scholar
27
-
Oden, R. A. (1987). The Place of the Covenant in Religion of Israel, in Ancient Israelite Religion. Festschrift F. M. Cross, ed. Patrick D. Miller, Paul D. Hanson, and S. Den McBrride. Philadelphia: Fortress.
Google Scholar
28
-
Offiong, I. (2002). “Liturgical Hymns,” in Reconciliation and Renewal of Services in the Church: Lineamenta for the First Synod Catholic Diocese of Ikot Ekpene, 94-104. Uyo: Trinity Press.
Google Scholar
29
-
Otto, E. (2005). Covenant. in Encyclopedia of Religion, ed. Lindsay Jones, 2nd ed. Detroit: Macmillan.
Google Scholar
30
-
Udoekpo, M. U. (2017). Rethinking the Prophetic Critique of Worship in Amo 5 for Contemporary Nigeria and the USA. Eugene, Oregon: Pickwick.
Google Scholar
31
-
Udoekpo, M. U. (2019). Becoming a Church-Family in Africa that Witnesses the Gospel to Everyone: Perspectives from Luke 3:4-6 and Isaiah 40:4-5, in Becoming Church As the Family of God in Africa: Graces, Challenges and Prospects, ed. Nwagwu Gerald et al. pp. 171–92. CIWA Theology Conference.
Google Scholar
32
-
Udoekpo, M. U.(2020). The Limits of a Divided Nation with Perspectives from the Bible. Eugene; Oregon: Resource Publications.
Google Scholar
33
-
Von Rad, G. (2001). Old Testament Theology. Vol 1.OTL; Trans., D. M. G. Stalker. Louisville: Wesminster John Knox Press.
Google Scholar
34
-
Walton, J. H. (1989). Ancient Israelite Literature in Its Cultural Contexts: A Survey of Parallels between Biblical and Ancient Neat Eastern Texts. Library of Biblical Interpretation. Grand Rapids: Zondervan.
Google Scholar
35
-
Waltke, B. K. (1988). The Phenomenon of Conditionality within Unconditional Covenant, in Israel’s Apostasy and Restoration: Essays in Honor of Roland K. Harrison, ed. Avraham Gileadi. Grand Rapids: Baker.
Google Scholar
36
-
Weinfeld, M. (1975) “trrB. bérȋth.” TDOT, 2, pp. 253–279.
Google Scholar
37
-
Weinfeld, M. (1993). Covenant Making in Anatolia and Mesopotamia. Journal of the Ancient Near Eastern Society, 22(1993), pp. 135-39.
Google Scholar
38
-
Weinfeld, M. (1976). The Loyalty Oath in the Ancient near East. UF 8 (1976).
Google Scholar
39
-
Weinfeld, M. (1970). The Covenant of Grant in the Old Testament and the Ancient Near East. JAOS, 90(1970).
Google Scholar
40
-
Zuck, R. B. (1991). A Biblical Theology of the Old Testament. Chicago, IL: The Moody Press.
Google Scholar
41
Most read articles by the same author(s)
-
Michael Ufok Udoekpo,
A Study of the Ministry of the Royal Priesthood in Exodus 19:6 and Its Theological Expansion 1 Peter 2:5, 9–10 , European Journal of Theology and Philosophy: Vol. 3 No. 1 (2023) -
Michael Ufok Udoekpo,
Obiajulu’s Children and the Wicked Sons of Eli (1 Sam 2:11–17) , European Journal of Theology and Philosophy: Vol. 4 No. 4 (2024)