Description
Book SynopsisIn this timely and highly readable volume, Old Testament scholar William Holladay introduces the reader to the several ways in which Isaiah speaks, from ancient Jewish readings of the text, to Handel’s lyrical use of it in his oratorio, Messiah, to the Christian community who has heard it foretelling the life and death of Jesus Christ. Holladay argues persuasively that the text of Isaiah, though rooted in historical time, place, circumstance, is unbound by time. Using those portions of the prophet’s writings which are most often included in the various modern lectionaries of the churches, Holladay both provides detailed historical commentary and presents a method for allowing the text to still speak to believers in the twenty-first century.
Trade Review. . . this work aims to assist those who meet Isaiah in the liturgy and lectionary to understand how best (or at least how well) to engage the Isaiah texts. Holladay maintains and demonstrates with clarity how the prophetic words are both timebound but also unbound from their original contexts by virtue of being canonical. Clearly stated and thoroughly credible is Holladay”s confidence that contemporary believers can readily and fruitfully cope with both aspects of prophetic speech. * Catholic Studies *
This volume promises rich fare for Christian groups trying to understand better virtually any facet of how to read biblical and liturgical texts well. . . * Catholic Studies *
Table of ContentsChapter 1 “Isaiah ’Twas Foretold It”: Three Ways to Hear a Prophet Chapter 2 God is High and Holy, and Israel Is Disobedient Chapter 3 Assyria Is on the March—Is There Any Hope? Chapter 4 God Will Bring the Exiles Home Chapter 5 God is Creator, the Incomparable Chapter 6 The Call to Suffer—Proclaimed and Ignored Chapter 7 Jews Hear Isaiah Through the Centuries Chapter 8 “The Spirit of the Lord Is upon Me”: Jesus, the New Testament, and Christian Tradition
