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Jewish Temple Theology and the Mystery of the Cross: Atonement and the Two Goats of Yom Kippur
How a deeper understanding of the theology of Yom Kippur unlocks the paradox at the heart of Christian soteriology.
On the Day of Atonement, two goats were brought before the high priest at the temple. One was chosen as the goat for the Lord, a spotless sacrifice, and the other was set aside for Azazel, doomed to bear sins into the wilderness. Jewish Temple Theology and the Mystery of the Cross shows how a theological appreciation for the two movements of Yom Kippur makes it possible to identify the paradox at the heart of Christian in his single atoning act, Jesus Christ fulfills the work of both goats, without confusion, without division. Appreciation for this paradox helps illuminate many of the doctrinal debates in the history of Christian soteriology and offers a compelling way forward.
Jewish Temple Theology and the Mystery of the Cross begins with a survey of biblical first, a rich theological pilgrimage to Mount Zion, the home of beauty, goodness, and truth, and then to the surrounding desert, the wilderness of sin and sorrow. To appreciate the Yom Kippur liturgy, and to understand the priestly word "atonement," one must be oriented by this cosmic stage. Drawing on the best modern historical-critical scholarship, this volume reveals the wonders hidden in Leviticus and shows how a sophisticated theological interpretation of this book leads to breakthroughs in our understanding of Christ's saving work.
Seeing the mystery of the cross from the perspective of the ancient Jewish scriptures has surprising results. For example, Richard Barry shows how Hans Urs von Balthasar's controversial theology of Holy Saturday is a compelling development of Azazel-goat soteriology; it is not only biblically licit but is in some ways mandated by the logic of Yom Kippur. At the same time, David Bentley Hart is celebrated for the way he powerfully advances modern YHWH-goat soteriology, yet obedience to the logic of Yom Kippur also necessitates a nuanced biblical critique of his muscular universalism.
How can Christ fulfill the seemingly contradictory movements of both goats in a single saving work? Grappling with that question, Jewish Temple Theology and the Mystery of the Cross seeks to draw nearer to the heart of the mystery of salvation.
On the Day of Atonement, two goats were brought before the high priest at the temple. One was chosen as the goat for the Lord, a spotless sacrifice, and the other was set aside for Azazel, doomed to bear sins into the wilderness. Jewish Temple Theology and the Mystery of the Cross shows how a theological appreciation for the two movements of Yom Kippur makes it possible to identify the paradox at the heart of Christian in his single atoning act, Jesus Christ fulfills the work of both goats, without confusion, without division. Appreciation for this paradox helps illuminate many of the doctrinal debates in the history of Christian soteriology and offers a compelling way forward.
Jewish Temple Theology and the Mystery of the Cross begins with a survey of biblical first, a rich theological pilgrimage to Mount Zion, the home of beauty, goodness, and truth, and then to the surrounding desert, the wilderness of sin and sorrow. To appreciate the Yom Kippur liturgy, and to understand the priestly word "atonement," one must be oriented by this cosmic stage. Drawing on the best modern historical-critical scholarship, this volume reveals the wonders hidden in Leviticus and shows how a sophisticated theological interpretation of this book leads to breakthroughs in our understanding of Christ's saving work.
Seeing the mystery of the cross from the perspective of the ancient Jewish scriptures has surprising results. For example, Richard Barry shows how Hans Urs von Balthasar's controversial theology of Holy Saturday is a compelling development of Azazel-goat soteriology; it is not only biblically licit but is in some ways mandated by the logic of Yom Kippur. At the same time, David Bentley Hart is celebrated for the way he powerfully advances modern YHWH-goat soteriology, yet obedience to the logic of Yom Kippur also necessitates a nuanced biblical critique of his muscular universalism.
How can Christ fulfill the seemingly contradictory movements of both goats in a single saving work? Grappling with that question, Jewish Temple Theology and the Mystery of the Cross seeks to draw nearer to the heart of the mystery of salvation.
450 pages, Hardcover
Published February 9, 2024
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July 2, 2024
This book is Ratzingerian in its beauty, theological largesse, and eloquence of explanation. It addresses two primary topics which have deep-seated significance: the mindset/worldview of the Jewish sacrificial cult and the various veins of Christian soteriology.
Christian soteriology is the book's motive and it uses a Balthasarian methodology which seeks to understand Jesus' atonement by immersing itself as much as possible into the mindset of the Jewish temple cult which He fulfilled. This is an approach which seeks to "see the form" of the Father's particular self-revelation in the person of Jesus by seeing more deeply (while within the theological lens of the Catholic tradition) the context of that self-revelation.
Barry argues that the basis of the Jewish temple cult is the Akedah, and Abraham's spirit of 'henneni' within which it was made. The culmination of the temple cult is in the high feast of Yom Kippur in which one goat (the YHWH-goat) is offered to God as an unblemished, perfect self-offering, and another goat (the Azazel-goat) is saddled with the sins of Israel and sent into the wilderness, separating them from Israel. He argues that veins of Christian soteriology can be understood in reference to this dichotomy, either conforming to the first (and underplaying the second) in a 'theology of glory,' or emphasizing the second (and misordering the first) in a reduced arc of atonement. He argues the fullness of Christian soteriology relies on the paradoxical presence of both in Christ's salvific work, and that understood in a way which is rightly ordered. One key distinction to be made, for example, is in the liturgical ordering of the offering of these two goats. One view, one which Barry argues against, would see the YHWH goat as being sacrificed in order that the sins may be cast off in the Azazel-goat. On the other hand, the reverse ordering sees the sins of Israel being separated from her in the Azazel goat for the sake of a perfect self-offering being made in the YHWH-goat. This latter reading maintains the full, joyful, glorious cast of atonement while handling earnestly enough the seriousness of sin.
The opening three chapters of the book could be published separately as a small spiritual classic of Biblical criticism. This is true equally of the Introduction and the Epilogue. Barry is a writer of expansive theological beauty and this book is a deep course in theology in itself
Christian soteriology is the book's motive and it uses a Balthasarian methodology which seeks to understand Jesus' atonement by immersing itself as much as possible into the mindset of the Jewish temple cult which He fulfilled. This is an approach which seeks to "see the form" of the Father's particular self-revelation in the person of Jesus by seeing more deeply (while within the theological lens of the Catholic tradition) the context of that self-revelation.
Barry argues that the basis of the Jewish temple cult is the Akedah, and Abraham's spirit of 'henneni' within which it was made. The culmination of the temple cult is in the high feast of Yom Kippur in which one goat (the YHWH-goat) is offered to God as an unblemished, perfect self-offering, and another goat (the Azazel-goat) is saddled with the sins of Israel and sent into the wilderness, separating them from Israel. He argues that veins of Christian soteriology can be understood in reference to this dichotomy, either conforming to the first (and underplaying the second) in a 'theology of glory,' or emphasizing the second (and misordering the first) in a reduced arc of atonement. He argues the fullness of Christian soteriology relies on the paradoxical presence of both in Christ's salvific work, and that understood in a way which is rightly ordered. One key distinction to be made, for example, is in the liturgical ordering of the offering of these two goats. One view, one which Barry argues against, would see the YHWH goat as being sacrificed in order that the sins may be cast off in the Azazel-goat. On the other hand, the reverse ordering sees the sins of Israel being separated from her in the Azazel goat for the sake of a perfect self-offering being made in the YHWH-goat. This latter reading maintains the full, joyful, glorious cast of atonement while handling earnestly enough the seriousness of sin.
The opening three chapters of the book could be published separately as a small spiritual classic of Biblical criticism. This is true equally of the Introduction and the Epilogue. Barry is a writer of expansive theological beauty and this book is a deep course in theology in itself
April 13, 2024
Very few academic books are this enjoyable to study. This book is exceptionally enjoyable to study.
I enjoyed reading it so much, I read three lengthy chapters twice, and it never felt like a chore; that is because the organization and coherence of this author’s research is undeniably excellent, and his prose both winsome and charitable. I don’t even agree with every interpretation within his thesis (even one that is essential to everything he argues toward), and I still loved reading every page.
One need not agree with every aspect of his thesis to be swept up in the pleasure of learning deeply important topics—such as atonement, temple-liturgy, second-temple cosmology, angelology, redemption, and theological aesthetics—with great ease.
Although the topics addressed across this book are dense and complex, they are systematized and expressed in a manner more accessible than any book on the topic.
I highly recommend this book above all other books on the topic. It is uniquely enjoyable to read and learn from.
This is the kind of academic research that deserves to be on every seminary, bible college, and university library shelf. I would give it six out of five stars if I could!
I enjoyed reading it so much, I read three lengthy chapters twice, and it never felt like a chore; that is because the organization and coherence of this author’s research is undeniably excellent, and his prose both winsome and charitable. I don’t even agree with every interpretation within his thesis (even one that is essential to everything he argues toward), and I still loved reading every page.
One need not agree with every aspect of his thesis to be swept up in the pleasure of learning deeply important topics—such as atonement, temple-liturgy, second-temple cosmology, angelology, redemption, and theological aesthetics—with great ease.
Although the topics addressed across this book are dense and complex, they are systematized and expressed in a manner more accessible than any book on the topic.
I highly recommend this book above all other books on the topic. It is uniquely enjoyable to read and learn from.
This is the kind of academic research that deserves to be on every seminary, bible college, and university library shelf. I would give it six out of five stars if I could!
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