The Monthly Interpreter (Volume 3)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1886. Excerpt: ... THE LITERARY RECORD. In the introduction the axithor1 discusses to some extent the analogies between Biblical prophecy and the manteia of the Greeks, and some very useful references are given to the literature of this subject. The first part of the main body of the work deals with the early intimations of the kingdom of God from patriarchal to Davidic times. A Christian interpretation is given to Ps. xvi. and to Job xix. 25 ff., but only in an implicit sense. And the typical significance of David, Solomon, and the Davidites is maintained. In the second part, the Prophets as heralds of the new birth and consummation of God's kingdom are reviewed. The latter part of Isaiah is placed in the closing period of the captivity. Orelli's view of the Servant of Yahveh is, that while the prophet himself did not point to a single historical personality, the character he drew found only its historic realization in one Person, an antitype complete in every point. And Deutero-Isaiah sees as the goal of coming history not merely the restoration of ancient Jerusalem, but the regeneration of the whole theocracy. Much is conceded to modern criticism with respect to the book of Daniel. It has been edited and interpolated; but none the less forms the crown of Old Testament prophecy, giving unequalled grandeur to the expression of the idea of the divine kingdom which underlies the New Covenant. The book is scholarly, temperate, and free from all polemic bitterness, as is the short preface of Mr. Banks, who contents himself with the position that the image of the future shines through Old Testament prophecy, and that in a miraculous manner. We have not compared the original; but the clear and pleasant reading of the translation witnesses to the ability of the transl...