Revelation and Mystery in Ancient Judaism and Pauline Christianity

Book excerpt: "The theme of revealed heavenly mysteries was a commonplace in Judaism, from which it passed on to Christianity. Markus Bockmuehl outlines how this theme developed, by showing where ideas of revelation and mystery coalesce. . . . An interesting and very thorough study."--Journal of Biblical Literature"A thoughtful and illuminating study of a subject which, rather surprisingly in the light of its centrality to the question of Christian origins, has not hitherto been investigated in detail. Whereas both 'revelation' and 'mystery' have been studied separately in the context of early Jewish and Christian literature, Bockmuehl's original contribution is to examine the interconnectedness of the two ideas."--Journal of Jewish Studies"This book is an excellent contribution to biblical scholarship. It synthesizes the light that a biblically based mystery sheds on revelation and revelation sheds on mystery. . . . Bockmuehl treats admirably many difficult passages and scholarly disputes. . . . He develops the progress of biblical understanding regarding revelation and mystery, carefully balancing analysis with synthesis--a talent that is somewhat rare of late." --Journal of Ecumenical Studies"A most useful study. . . . Bockmuehl has brought together material from an enormously wide range of primary and secondary literature, for which we are greatly in his debt." --Journal of Theological Studies"For single authors like Philo, Josephus, and especially Paul, Bockmuehl's studies significantly add to the discussion." --Religious Studies Review"Bockmuehl examines the concepts of revelation and mystery, not as distinct entities, but in their theological interplay: the revelation of heavenly mysteries. . . . This book's breadth and depth will repay the attentive reader." --Journal for the Study of the New Testament