2026 Reading Challenge

Ask the Author: J. Richard Middleton

“I'll be answering questions about my new book, Abraham's Silence. I'll also take questions about any of my earlier books.” J. Richard Middleton

Answered Questions (2)

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Really loved Abraham's Silence. I started expecting just the Akeidah but your explanation of Job and lament psalms helped explain my feelings of confusion and anger in dealing with tragedy. I liked your inclusion of Jewish scholars and Jewish historical teachings. I've explored some current Rabbis and their thoughts (e.g. Fohrman of Aleph Beta). As a Christian, how "critical" should I be of their teachings? Thanks!
J. Richard Middleton I'm glad the book was helpful. There is no general answer about how critical you should be of any teachings, Jewish or Christian. Truth is to be found everywhere. You may notice that while I quote and cite a lot of secondary sources, including Rabbinic teachings, I don't necessarily agree with them. But I find knowing other viewpoints helpful in thinking about my own interpretation. In the case of Rabbi Fohrman of Aleph Beta, I think that his approach to Scripture is similar to my own; he focuses on a literary reading of the text (peshat), while also looking (critically) at the history of tradition for insights.
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What are you currently working on?
J. Richard Middleton Having just finished a book on the Aqedah in Genesis 22 (Abraham's Silence, which will be published later this Fall), my next project is a book with Eerdmans on the power dynamics between the prophet Samuel and the new king Saul in 1 Samuel 1–15. The working title is Portrait of a Disgruntled Prophet: Samuel's Resistance to God and the Undoing of Saul.
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