A new David Mitchell book is an event. His work, including the eschatology of the Psalms and the concept of Messiah Ben Joseph, has been paradigm-shifting for me.
Jesus: The Incarnation of the Word did not disappoint. It is full of the profound and provocative insights that I have come to expect from Mitchell.
This is a companion book to Mitchell’s Messiah Ben Joseph, but can be read independently. In Jesus: The Incarnation of the Word, Mitchell considers ancient beliefs around a priestly, Levitical, and heavenly and incarnate messiah. In doing so, he touches on a wide range of topics like Melchizedek, the Angel of the LORD, the priestly and royal genealogies of Mary and Joseph, Jesus’ self-conception, and the name of Jesus himself.
My favorite authors are creative thinkers. Why simply read what you already know or already think? This is not to say that Mitchell’s views are unsubstantiated or overly niche. Far from it. In fact, he offers substantial support for his claims, revealing a deep and broad familiarity with primary sources (the Old and New Testaments, their ancient translations, and early Jewish and Christian writings). Mitchell often reveals where modern scholars—and those who unwittingly repeat their claims—have not taken these primary sources seriously enough.
My favorite sections were his thorough and fresh exegesis on Psalm 110—which proves the messianic heavenly view is the oldest and best—and his careful tracing of Joseph and Mary’s lineages. These sections on the genealogies are fascinating and reveal just how many incorrect assumptions people have inherited.
If you read Jesus: The Incarnation of the Word, you will encounter a treasure trove that inspires awe in Jesus and a fresh appreciation for the Bible.
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