A Mouth Full of Fire - (New Studies in Biblical Theology) by Andrew G Shead (Paperback)

About the Book

In this New Studies in Biblical Theology volume, Andrew Shead examines Jeremiah's commissioning, embodiment of the word of God, covenant preaching and "oracles of hope." He shows how a differentiation between the divine "word" and the prophet's "words" enables the word of God to function as an organizing center for the book's theology.

Book Synopsis

"I am putting my words as a fire in your mouth; these people are tinder and it will consume them." (Jeremiah 5:14)

In the book of Jeremiah, not only is the vocabulary of "word" and "words" uniquely prevalent, but formulae marking divine speech also play an unprecedented role in giving the book's final form its narrative and theological shape. Indeed, "the word of the Lord" is arguably the main character, and a theology that is both distinctive and powerful can be seen to emerge from the unfolding narrative.

In this stimulating study, Andrew Shead examines Jeremiah's use of word language; the prophet's formation as an embodiment of the word of God; his covenant preaching and the crisis it precipitates concerning the recognition of true prophecy; and, in the "oracles of hope," how the power of the word of God is finally made manifest.

Shead then brings this reading of Jeremiah to bear on some issues in contemporary theology, including the problem of divine agency and the doctrine of Scripture, and concludes by engaging Jeremiah's doctrine of the Word of God in conversation with Karl Barth. The prophet's major contribution emerges from his careful differentiation of "word" and "words."

Addressing key issues in biblical theology, the works comprising New Studies in Biblical Theology are creative attempts to help Christians better understand their Bibles. The NSBT series is edited by D. A. Carson, aiming to simultaneously instruct and to edify, to interact with current scholarship and to point the way ahead.

Review Quotes

"I recommend A Mouth Full of Fire to any pastor, interested lay person, or scholar who desires to explore this new avenue of thought in prophetic research. Shead's addition to this series is exceptional and deserves recognition for his work in biblical studies and biblical theology."

"It is extraordinarily rare for a reading of a biblical book to be simultaneously creative and convincing, but Dr Andrew Shead has managed it in this work on Jeremiah. It is even more extraordinary for a book that exemplifies careful exegesis and the best of one kind of biblical theology to speak authoritatively to the discipline of systematic theology, but Dr Shead's work manages that, too. Characterized by tight and disciplined writing and careful thought, this volume deserves careful study. You will never again read Jeremiah exactly the same way you have read it in the past."

"Shead's book is an important contribution to the theological interpretation of the Bible. Those in the evangelical and confessional wings of the church will especially appreciate this illuminating engagement of the World of God in Jeremiah."

"This is a very significant book for the study of Jeremiah specifically, as well as for its contributions to biblical theology and the doctrine of Scripture."

About the Author

Andrew G. Shead is head of Old Testament at Moore College, Sydney, where he lectures in Hebrew, Old Testament and music. He is the author of The Open Book and the Sealed Book: Jeremiah 32 in Its Greek and Hebrew Recensions (Sheffield Academic Press) and numerous articles, essays and reviews.