Hidden But Now Revealed: A Biblical Theology of Mystery

Product Description Readers' Choice Award WinnerWhen reading through the Bible, it is impossible to ignore the troubling fact that Israel and its leaders and even Jesus' own disciples seem unable to fully grasp the messianic identity and climactic mission of Jesus. If his true deity, his death and resurrection and his role in the establishment of God's eternal kingdom were predicted in the Old Testament and in his own teachings, how could the leading biblical scholars of their time miss it?This book explores the biblical conception of mystery as an initial, partially hidden revelation that is subsequently more fully revealed, shedding light not only on the richness of the concept itself, but also on the broader relationship between the Old and New Testaments. Exploring all the occurrences of the term mystery in the New Testament and the topics found in conjunction with them, this work unpacks how the New Testament writers understood the issue of continuity and discontinuity. This investigation of the notion of mystery sharpens our understanding of how the Old Testament relates to the New and explores topics such as kingdom, crucifixion, the relationship between Jews and Gentiles and more. As such, it is a model for attentive and faithful biblical theology intended for students, scholars, pastors and lay people who wish to seriously engage the Scriptures. Review "There are many books about the general concept of mystery and its related instances in the New Testament. However, Beale and Gladd have put forth a comprehensive survey of how 'mystery' is used in the New Testament. . . . This careful, conservative analysis deserves the close attention of biblical scholars of any stripe." -- James Wetherbee, Library Journal, October 15, 2014"This deeply rewarding book will richly repay the time and effort given to digest its contents. Hidden But Now Revealed is especially geared to scholars, pastors, church officers, and interested laypeople. I would encourage others to read it too." -- Jeffrey C. Waddington, New Horizons, November 2015"Comprehensive and accessible, this book is a model of intertextual exegesis and hermeneutics for the sake of biblical theology. . . . Serious Bible students will find in Hidden But Now Revealed helpful detailed intertextual analysis of the way in which mystery in the book of Daniel is interpreted, adapted, and revealed in the New Testament." -- Sherif Gendy, Ordained Servant, May 2015"Beale and Gladd have ably demonstrated the viability of the claim that the New Testament writers understood and respected the context of the Old Testament passages to which they alluded and cited. Chapter 11, the conclusion, and the appendix provide a masterful synthesis with hermeneutical implications extending far beyond the narrow topic of mystery. Beale and Gladd express the hope that 'pastors and students will benefit from this project because of its emphasis on how the two Testaments relate.' Pastors, students, and academics alike will indeed find it beneficial to familiarize themselves with the contents and conclusions of this excellent volume." -- R. Andrew Compton, Calvin Theological Journal, April 2015 Review "An intriguing theological and exegetical exploration of a key New Testament theme, especially in Paul. As the book's authors argue, the early Christian use of 'mysteries' surely reflects the strong influence of Daniel." -- Craig Keener, professor of New Testament, Asbury Theological Seminary About the Author G. K. Beale (PhD, University of Cambridge) holds the J. Gresham Machen Chair of New Testament and is professor of New Testament and biblical theology at Westminster Theological Seminary. His books include The Book of Revelation (New International Greek Testament Commentary), 1-2 Thessalonians (The IVP New Testament Commentary Series), The Right Doctrine from the Wrong Texts? Essays on the Use of the Old Testament in the New, John's Use of the Old Test