Books on messianic prophecy divide themselves into two general classes, according as they accept or reject the ideas of historical development and the results of the so-called "higher criticism" in their application to the Old Testament. In the latter class of works the larger part of the messianic material of the Old Testament is regarded usually as referring directly to Jesus Christ. The former class presents a great variety of points of view depending on the attitude of the writer toward the supernatural, or the extent to which he is willing to go in the application of the ideas and results referred to above. It may be remarked that almost no book on prophecy omits some consideration of this subject, and that most modern writers on this theme are affected more or less by the newer points of view placed in relief by modern biblical investigation. The works mentioned here are only a few out of a great library of writings on the general subject or some phase of it. In the case of the general works a few words of characterization are given to those which are either most valuable to the reader or are most likely to be available to him. Besides these, books are mentioned which discuss certain phases of the subject or have chapters devoted to it. Selected articles in journals, which can be consulted in any good reference theological library, are also referred to. It is understood that no attempt is made at completeness, and publications in foreign languages are excluded. I. GENERAL WORKS AND ARTICLES Hengstenberg, E. W., Christology of the Old Testament, and a Commentary on the Messianic Predictions. Translated by Theo. Meyer and others. 4 vols.; second edition. Edinburgh: T. & T. Clark, 1864. A most vigorous, learned, and voluminous treatise, which brings all the resources of profound, devout, and conscientious scholarship to the defence of the older view in which the ultimate goal of the Old Testament revelation dwarfs and minimizes the historical conditions, factors, and stages of that revelation. Much of the reasoning is no longer valid even for those who have been led to practically the same result by different principles and processes. Yet it will always remain a monumental work. Second edition. Payne Smith, R., Prophecy a Preparation for Christ. Bamp- Claims to trace the historical development of biblical prophecy. But the historical picture given rests on no basis of critical examination of the Old Testament books. The lectures are devout, but not enlightening. Adeney, W. F., The Hebrew Utopia, a Study of Messianic Prophecy. London: Hodder & Stoughton, 1879. Pp. 374. The author's attitude may be gained from the following passage: "The only fair method of understanding messianic prophecy is to regard it historically as a phenomenon in the history of Israel, rather than doctrinally as a statement of absolute truth; to treat it, in the first place, altogether apart from Christian doctrine and New Testament history, as a leading feature of the religion of Israel, the growth of which must be traced side by side with the growth of the nation." 1 Gloag, Paton J., The Messianic Prophecies, being the Baird Lecture for 1879. Edinburgh: T. & T. Clark, 1879. Pp. xv + 368. An eminently respectable piece of work, judicial and thorough. Its method is not very scientific, nor its point of view especially modern. It is a discussion of themes connected with the subject, rather than of the subject itself. Edersheim, A., Prophecy and History in Relation to the Messiah. The Warburton Lectures for 1880-84. New York: A. D. F. Randolph & Co. Edersheim was an accomplished scholar, especially in all that pertained to Judaism. Yet his mind was essentially unsystematic and unhistorical. He has put much good matter into this book, but it is badly arranged and diffuse. Parts of it are admirable. One must, however, read it through once to be prepared to read it profitably. Its point of view is that of Hengstenberg. Briggs, C. A., Messianic Prophecy, the Prediction of the Fulfilment of Redemption through the Messiah; a Critical Study of the Messianic Passages of the Old Testament in the Order of their Development. New York: Chas. Scribner's Sons, 1886. Pp. xx + 519. Dr. Briggs's book took easily the first place when it appeared, and is still in many respects the most usable and valuable one on the subject. It bears evidence of much learning, wide reading, and good judgment. It was thought somewhat advanced ten years ago, but now would be regarded as occupying a mediating position. It needs revision in its critical judgments, and a new edition would give it another decade of leadership. Andrews, S. J., God's Revelation of Himself to Men, as successively made in the Patriarchal, Jewish, and Christian Dispensations, and in the Messianic Kingdom. New York: Chas. Scribner's Sons, 1886. Of the same type as Payne Smith's book, but even more rigidly dominated by dogmatic conceptions, and interpreting the Old Testament on traditional lines without light and shade. Thomson, W. H., Christ in the Old Testament: the Great Argument. New York: Harper & Bros., 1888. Pp. 471. A diluted Hengstenberg. Useful as a plain statement of the strict spiritual interpretation by a layman, the book is sadly marred by polemics against the "rationalists." With such a theme denunciation is out of place. Some irrelevant and unsound discussions upon archæological and historical topics weaken the effect. To modern biblical investigation there is no reference, except such as is hostile. It is nowhere employed to aid in the argument. Orelli, C. von, The Old Testament Prophecy of the Consummation of God's Kingdom, Traced in its Historical Development. Translated by Rev. J. S. Banks. Edinburgh: T. & T. Clark, 1889. Pp. 472. A thoroughly able and useful book. It is devout in tone and modern in method. Like the volume of Briggs, it rests on a basis of Hebrew scholarship. It makes fuller reference to the views of other scholars, and is more exhaustive in the discussion of special points. Its general attitude is indicated by the title. Delitzsch, F., Messianic Prophecies in Historical Succession. Translated by S. I. Curtiss. New York: Chas. Scribner's Sons, 1891. Pp. xii + 232. One of the last of the many works of this devout scholar. Its title distinguishes its method from that of Hengstenberg. It is brief, almost too brief for satisfactory presentation of the author's views on some points, but exhibits his evangelic spirit and progressive scholarship. Delitzsch's mysticism appears here and there, and obscures his meaning; but surely here, if anywhere, mysticism is excusable. Riehm, Edward, Messianic Prophecy: its Origin, Historical Growth, and Relation to New Testament Fulfilment. Translated by L. A. Muirhead, with an Introduction by Prof. A. B. Davidson. Second edition. New York: Chas. Scribner's Sons, 1891. Pp. xx + 348. Davidson's verdict is: "No work of the same compass could be named that contains so much that is instructive on the nature of prophecy in general, and particularly on the branch of it specially treated in the book." It is a very thoughtful book, and in one sense is more a series of reflections than a systematic discussion of details. A knowledge of the subject is demanded in advance. If one had worked through an elementary treatise, he would be immensely profited by reading Riehm. It is eloquent and evangelic, and should be studied by every one who would go beneath the surface. Woods, F. H., The Hope of Israel; a Review of the Argument from Prophecy. Edinburgh: T. & T. Clark, 1896. Pp. viii + 218. The latest and most advanced discussion from the evangelical point of view. The author will not discuss the subject historically, because of the uncertainty in the dating of the documents. His treatment is topical. It is fresh, serious, and stimulating, but lacks insight. Perhaps criticism and insight do not go together. Yet it may be the author is working along the lines on which future investigation will move. For him messianic prophecy is fulfilled "not so much in the personality and work of Christ as in the religion of Christ." Ballantine, W. G., Messianic Prophecy, ONTS, XII, p. 262 f. Bruce, Apologetics, Bk. II, chap. iii, "The Prophetic Idea of Israel's Vocation and History," chap. vi, "Prophetic Optimism"; Bk. III, chap. ii, "Jesus as the Christ." Bruce, The Chief End of Revelation, chap. v, "The Function of Prophecy in Revelation." Candlish, J. S., The Kingdom of God, Lect. II, "The Kingdom of God in the Old Testament." Charles, R. H., Eschatology, Hebrew, Jewish, and Christian, 1899. The latest discussion and one of great significance, especially for the inter-biblical period. Delitzsch, Old Testament History of Redemption. Edersheim, A., The Witness of Israel to the Messiah. Elliott, Charles, Old Testament Prophecy, Pts. III and IV, "Messianic Prophecy," "New Testament Fulfilment.” Harper, W. R., The Foreshadowings of the Christ in the Old Testament, Bib. World, VI, p. 401 ff. Hirschfelder, Messianic Prophecy, Can. Meth. Quar., January, 1891-January, 1892. Judaism at the Parliament of Religions, Pt. I, 8, Schwab, "A Review of the Messianic Idea from the Earliest Times to the Rise of Christianity. [The Jewish view.] Kirkpatrick, The Doctrine of the Prophets, Lect. XVIII, "Christ the Goal of Prophecy." Ladd, Doctrine of Sacred Scripture, Vol. I, Pt. II, chap. v, "The Predictive Contents of the Bible." Leathes, Old Testament Prophecy. Its Witness as a Record of Divine Foreknowledge. The Messianic Element in the Old Testament, Editorial in Bib. World, IV, p. 81 ff. Oehler, Old Testament Theology. Translated by Day. Pp. 521-537, "The Messiah." |