If you looked at my academic transcript, you might notice that although I studied at Wheaton College, I never officially enrolled in a class with John Walton. But if you concluded from this that he hasn't influenced me, you'd be sorely mistaken. Sitting in my classes or reading what I've written or what I assign my students to read, you'd see that Walton's influence is pervasive. I consider him one of my most influential mentors.
Actually, I did sit in on one class with Walton as a PhD student, his "Ancient Near Eastern Backgrounds." That class opened up a whole new world for me--the ancient world of the Bible. Walton modeled for us how to read Scripture well by understanding the ancient context in which it was written. He repeatedly insisted that the Bible was written for us, but not to us. The benefits of access to written Scripture are enormous, but if we think that the Bible addresses us directly, we are bound to misunderstand its claims.I want to be in the ZOOM where it happens . . . (photo: C Imes) |
John Walton thanked us for honoring him. Adam Miglio is the masked man in the background. |
I'll never forget the time I encountered "Dr. Walton" in the hallway and he told me it was time to start calling him "John." Although John has never supervised a doctoral student, he has actively and deliberately invested in the next generation of scholars, treating us as colleagues and friends. We hope that our volume shows the fruit of that generous investment.
The title of my essay shows the indebtedness of my thinking to Walton. In the vein of his famous "Lost World" series of books, I've called it “The Lost World of the Exodus: Functional Ontology and the Creation of a Nation.” In it, I argue that Exodus is a creation story -- not so much the material creation of something from nothing, but the bestowal of order and function on the Hebrew people, making them a new nation. Here's a sneak peek:
It's been almost two years of keeping this secret, so I'm delighted that we can finally share it with the world! Special thanks to Adam Miglio, Caryn Reeder, Kenneth Way, and Joshua Walton for their skilled editorial work, organization, and communication. It was an immense privilege to contribute to this project.
Very nice!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Jim!
DeleteThis is great! I love your insight about Exodus as the civil creation of things rather than the ontological one. Careful, though! Creation can swallow the whole pie. :) Your Torah Tuesdays are a highlight of the week. Thanks for doing them.
ReplyDeleteSo glad you're enjoying Torah Tuesdays!
DeleteMet you two weeks ago at TCC in Edmonton. Didn't buy your book as I use Logos so much, but happy to find it there and just downloaded a copy. Your message is being discussed as life-changing by some! Thanks so much. Our pastors seem to be even more ignited as well!
ReplyDeletePS I'm the one who took a Masters from Knox in FL a couple years ago. God bless...
Elsie Montgomery
Hi Elsie! Nice to hear from you. Glad you found my book on Logos!
DeleteCarmen thank you for the great insight. Love Torah Tuesdays and are currently reading one of your books "Using God’s name in vain".
ReplyDeleteGlad to hear that, Johan! Thanks for your comment.
DeleteThis is so awesome! Can't wait to read the book and especially your essay. Is it available outside of the book at all?
ReplyDeleteMy essay is not currently available outside the book. Hope you're able to pick up a copy!
DeleteIs it too late to change the cover art of the Festschrift?
ReplyDeleteSorry to be nit-picky, but the title would be SO much more effective if you don't capitalize "Not", but capitalize "To".
"For Us, but not To Us"
(sorry to be "that guy")
Yep, too late. I totally agree with you.
Delete