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KLC PROJECTS

Old Testament Origins: Moses

Craig Bartholomew’s ambitious four-volume project, Old Testament Origins and the Question of God, seeks to explore what happens to Old Testament studies if we take God and his action in the world seriously. The second volume of this series, Moses and the Victory of God, focuses on Moses and the Exodus, and KLC’s project is exploring multiple avenues by which the impact of this topic can be felt in the church. 

Read more about how this series came about here.

See Connected Projects

Project Plan

Community Info:

Primary Discipline(s): Old Testament Studies, Theology, Philosophy

Base Community: Staff

Leader: Craig Bartholomew

Primary Author(s): Craig Bartholomew

Collaborators: Chip Hardy, Michael Rhodes, Robby Holt (readers)

Acknowledgements: SRF at Trinity International University

Partner Organisations: A publisher is attached.

Funding: Templeton grant from Trinity International University’s Creation project

Recent Updates:

Problem: Some 150+ years of historical criticism have brought many, many insights. At the same time we are left with a fragmented, disunited reading of the OT, a muting of its powerful message if you like. There is thus a great need for a new paradigm for listening to the OT that appropriates all the many insights of historical criticism but resituates them within a paradigm that takes the central character of the OT, YHWH, and his action in the world with utmost seriousness.

Process: This four volume series attempts to do for OT studies what N. T. Wright has done so very well for NT studies.

Aims and Outcomes: A four volume series as follows:

  1. The Old Testament and God.

The first volume will parallel Wright’s NTPG with a focus on the methodology and a re-envisioning of OT interpretation. Worldview analysis will be employed in ways comparable to Wright set against the backdrop of the worldviews of the major nations of the ANE.

  1. Moses and the Victory of Yahweh.

This volume will focus on the centrality of Moses and the Torah in the OT. Particular attention will be given to Moses and Sinai, their historicity and role in the theological structure of the OT, as well as to OT law of which Moses is portrayed as the mediator.

  1. The Old Testament and the People of God.

This will focus on the following major elements in the life of Israel: kingship, prophecy, cult and wisdom and their interrelationship.

  1. The Death and Return of the Son.

This final volume will focus on the exile and return of Israel thereby opening up the eschatology of the OT. Particular attention will be paid to the OT-NT relationship.

Development Timeline:

Next Meeting: Consultation with church leaders, 23 October

Projected Completion: Submit manuscript by the end of 2025

Quick Notes: tba

Progress Updates

Collaboration Opportunities

If you have something to contribute to the following questions, email your thoughts to tota@kirbylaingcentre.co.uk.

When the team has a need for help or an area in which collaboration could be beneficial, their requests will be listed here. 

Your contributions are greatly appreciated and are integral to our vision of collaborative, interdisciplinary research. We endeavor to acknowledge all the efforts of our collaborators and to give due credit, but note that we can’t guarantee that any contribution will be used in the final product.

On 23 October (3pm UK), we gathering an international group of church leaders and other stakeholders who can help us to set the course for the parallel resources that we develop alongside Craig’s work on Exodus, Moses and the Ten Commandments.

If you feel that you have something to contribute to a discussion about how Exodus can disciple the church and would like to attend, please contact admin@kirbylaingcentre.co.uk.

Ancillary Resources

When the team produces research components and additional resources that may be of public interest, these will be made available here.