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New Studies in Biblical Theology #41
Unceasing Kindness: A Biblical Theology of Ruth (Volume 41)
The Old Testament book of Ruth is understandably a firm favorite in the church for small-group study and preaching: a heart-warming story of loyalty and love, a satisfying tale of a journey from famine to fullness. In the academy, the book has been a testing ground for a variety of hermeneutical approaches, and many different ways of interpreting it have been put forward. However, the single interpretative lens missing is the one that is most beneficial for the church: biblical theology. While commentaries have adopted a biblical-theological approach of one form or another, there has not been a detailed treatment of the themes in Ruth from that perspective. Lau and Goswell's valuable New Studies in Biblical Theology volume aims to fill this gap. First, they focus on the meaning of the text as intended by the author for the original readers, but are mindful that the book is set within the wider context of Scripture. This context means not only the books surrounding Ruth in the canon, or even a particular section of Scripture, but also the rest of the Old Testament and the New Testament. Second, they discuss selected themes in Ruth, including redemption, kingship, mission, kindness, wisdom, famine, and the hiddenness of God. Within the overarching narrative of the Bible, from Genesis to Revelation, these themes can be viewed as different threads within the same cloth, or can be heard as different instrumental 'voices' within a symphony. Addressing key issues in biblical theology, the works comprising New Studies in Biblical Theology are creative attempts to help Christians better understand their Bibles. The NSBT series is edited by D. A. Carson, aiming to simultaneously instruct and to edify, to interact with current scholarship and to point the way ahead.
212 pages, Paperback
Published October 19, 2016
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September 29, 2017
Summary: A study of the theological themes that may be discerned in the various placements of Ruth in the canon, and the broader themes of unceasing kindness, famine, redemption, divine and human initiative, and the mission of God connecting Ruth with the rest of scripture.
The book of Ruth in the Old Testament is a favorite book of many. Ruth’s reply to Naomi who tries to send her back to her own people in Moab where she might have a future is among the most memorable of scripture:
“Don’t urge me to leave you or to turn back from you.
Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay.
Your people will be my people and your God my God.
Where you die I will die, and there I will be buried.
May the Lord deal with me, be it ever so severely,
if even death separates you and me.” (Ruth 1:17-18, NIV)
Ruth’s care for her mother-in-law, and in turn the care of Boaz for Ruth, culminating in his willingness to act as kinsman-redeemer for her and Naomi, point to the “unceasing kindness” of this book’s title. From tragedy in the first chapter through these acts of kindness to the birth of a child, a forebear of King David, the story evokes every emotion. I personally think it one of the best short stories ever written.
This work does not add to the many good commentaries on Ruth. Instead, the authors seek to tease out the theological themes in Ruth with connections to the rest of scripture, making this a work of biblical theology. They begin with the theme of the “unceasing kindness” of Ruth, and how this might have been a counterpoint to post-exilic works like Ezra and Nehemiah that emphasized separation from idolatrous nations. Ruth is an outsider, a Moabitess, who by law should be excluded from Israel (along with her children to the tenth generation, which would include David). Yet she embraces Naomi’s God, the God of Israel, and acts with covenant faithfulness and kindness toward her mother-in-law. In turn, her kindness is recognized by Boaz, first with favor, then with redemption, underscoring that separation is only meant for those who follow other gods, not for those who embrace Yahweh. She even becomes part of Yahweh’s purpose to raise up a king, and David’s greater son.
Next, in chapters 3 to 5, the authors explore the different arrangements of the canon, pair Ruth with Judges, with Proverbs, and with the Psalms. The pairing with Judges shows God’s preparation for David’s kingship. With Proverbs, and following Proverbs 31, we see Ruth as the wise and excellent woman. With Psalms, we see a parallel to many Psalms in the movement from lament to praise, and the seeking of refuge under the wings of Yahweh (and in Ruth, Boaz).
The following chapters explore wider theological themes. Chapter 6 considers the meaning of famine, not only in Ruth, but more widely, exploring whether the choice of Elimelech and Naomi to migrate to Moab was a wise one. Chapter 7 explores the hiddenness of God in books like Ruth and Esther, and the interplay of providence and human responsibility. Chapter 8 develops the idea of redemption and whether Boaz can be considered a “type” of Christ, even though he is not named such in the New Testament. They suggest that he can, noting that he meets four key criteria: correspondence, historicity, intensification of the antitype, and theocentricity. Chapter 9 focuses on the mission of God, and how the inclusion of Ruth, and indeed her part in the fulfillment of the Abrahamic promise of blessing to the nations through Israel, makes a critical contribution to our theology of mission. The authors make a fascinating application in observing how in our age of travel, the world literally may be at our doorstep, in the present day migrations of people. Chapter 10 then summarizes their findings of the biblical theology of Ruth.
I found this work quite helpful. Although I’ve studied and taught Ruth on several occasions, I had not thought about the canonical connections and had only considered some of the theological themes explored here, particularly their discussion of separation and inclusion, famine, and mission. This biblical theological approach made me more keenly aware of the rich variety of teaching in scripture and it ability to address a variety of questions, including when to separate, and where to include.
This work, like others of the series is marked by accessibility to the non-specialist and conciseness. It elucidates, without belaboring, the rich palette of themes in Ruth that can help make the preaching of this book more than exegesis and commentary on a great story. It helps connect this great story with the yet greater story of all scripture, and how we might find ourselves in that story.
The book of Ruth in the Old Testament is a favorite book of many. Ruth’s reply to Naomi who tries to send her back to her own people in Moab where she might have a future is among the most memorable of scripture:
“Don’t urge me to leave you or to turn back from you.
Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay.
Your people will be my people and your God my God.
Where you die I will die, and there I will be buried.
May the Lord deal with me, be it ever so severely,
if even death separates you and me.” (Ruth 1:17-18, NIV)
Ruth’s care for her mother-in-law, and in turn the care of Boaz for Ruth, culminating in his willingness to act as kinsman-redeemer for her and Naomi, point to the “unceasing kindness” of this book’s title. From tragedy in the first chapter through these acts of kindness to the birth of a child, a forebear of King David, the story evokes every emotion. I personally think it one of the best short stories ever written.
This work does not add to the many good commentaries on Ruth. Instead, the authors seek to tease out the theological themes in Ruth with connections to the rest of scripture, making this a work of biblical theology. They begin with the theme of the “unceasing kindness” of Ruth, and how this might have been a counterpoint to post-exilic works like Ezra and Nehemiah that emphasized separation from idolatrous nations. Ruth is an outsider, a Moabitess, who by law should be excluded from Israel (along with her children to the tenth generation, which would include David). Yet she embraces Naomi’s God, the God of Israel, and acts with covenant faithfulness and kindness toward her mother-in-law. In turn, her kindness is recognized by Boaz, first with favor, then with redemption, underscoring that separation is only meant for those who follow other gods, not for those who embrace Yahweh. She even becomes part of Yahweh’s purpose to raise up a king, and David’s greater son.
Next, in chapters 3 to 5, the authors explore the different arrangements of the canon, pair Ruth with Judges, with Proverbs, and with the Psalms. The pairing with Judges shows God’s preparation for David’s kingship. With Proverbs, and following Proverbs 31, we see Ruth as the wise and excellent woman. With Psalms, we see a parallel to many Psalms in the movement from lament to praise, and the seeking of refuge under the wings of Yahweh (and in Ruth, Boaz).
The following chapters explore wider theological themes. Chapter 6 considers the meaning of famine, not only in Ruth, but more widely, exploring whether the choice of Elimelech and Naomi to migrate to Moab was a wise one. Chapter 7 explores the hiddenness of God in books like Ruth and Esther, and the interplay of providence and human responsibility. Chapter 8 develops the idea of redemption and whether Boaz can be considered a “type” of Christ, even though he is not named such in the New Testament. They suggest that he can, noting that he meets four key criteria: correspondence, historicity, intensification of the antitype, and theocentricity. Chapter 9 focuses on the mission of God, and how the inclusion of Ruth, and indeed her part in the fulfillment of the Abrahamic promise of blessing to the nations through Israel, makes a critical contribution to our theology of mission. The authors make a fascinating application in observing how in our age of travel, the world literally may be at our doorstep, in the present day migrations of people. Chapter 10 then summarizes their findings of the biblical theology of Ruth.
I found this work quite helpful. Although I’ve studied and taught Ruth on several occasions, I had not thought about the canonical connections and had only considered some of the theological themes explored here, particularly their discussion of separation and inclusion, famine, and mission. This biblical theological approach made me more keenly aware of the rich variety of teaching in scripture and it ability to address a variety of questions, including when to separate, and where to include.
This work, like others of the series is marked by accessibility to the non-specialist and conciseness. It elucidates, without belaboring, the rich palette of themes in Ruth that can help make the preaching of this book more than exegesis and commentary on a great story. It helps connect this great story with the yet greater story of all scripture, and how we might find ourselves in that story.
April 11, 2025
This book has some great snippets, and so much potential, but unfortunately I was disappointed. I'd give it 2.5 stars, but Goodreads doesn't allow halves so I've fallen off the more positive side off the fence.
From the opening, the authors made explicit that they would be discussing “the nature and status of biblical theology”, and “[delineating] biblical theme[s]” rather than “[expositing] the structure of thought” in Ruth (p1)—but I hoped their commitment to ‘read the book of Ruth focusing on the meaning of the text as intended by the author for original hearers” (p1) might still keep its wider discussions rooted. Instead, the authors frequently leapt into seemingly tangential applications rather than weaving their many observations into a coherent message. While it was carefully argued, their oft-used “Be like Ruth/Boaz” application was ultimately unpersuasive—common though it is in others’ discussions of the book of Ruth. Many significant themes were identified and persuasively demonstrated from the text of Ruth, but their integration with similar themes in wider Scripture felt cursory—demonstrating agreement with themes seen elsewhere, but never convincingly demonstrating a step forward or unique contribution to that theme, nor to the evolving storyline of Scripture. It felt more like a book on biblical intertextuality (a term the authors have deliberately avoided) rather than on biblical theology.
Similarly frustrating was the sense that this was an anthology of essays previously published by the authors in other contexts. I have no problem with self-referential works—experts in their field are standing on their own shoulders as well as others’! But it meant the book wasn’t exploring a particular idea or making a particular point; different ideas were pieced together like pearls on a string, and some subsidiary ideas were even argued on multiple occasions as though they had not already been discussed. Maybe that's an unfair criticism given the authors' stated intention, but it turns the book into an interesting reference work rather than anything approaching a monograph.
I’m indebted to the authors for many profound insights, a careful engagement with wider scholarship on the book of Ruth, and a robust refutation of many liberal criticisms of the book of Ruth. There are still numerous parts of the book I have marked as quotable for a sermon series. But in the end, I’m still unsure what they thought was the ‘meaning of the text as intended by the author’ (p1). My own view is that the book of Ruth reminds the post-exilic generation of God's providence to establish the line of David, in order to strengthen their hope—an idea given brief mention at the end of this volume (p158–9). But I didn’t spot it elsewhere in the book, and it was impoverished for that. Maybe I just missed it, but as I finished reading it, it felt like a book that skimmed the surface of what it could have been.
From the opening, the authors made explicit that they would be discussing “the nature and status of biblical theology”, and “[delineating] biblical theme[s]” rather than “[expositing] the structure of thought” in Ruth (p1)—but I hoped their commitment to ‘read the book of Ruth focusing on the meaning of the text as intended by the author for original hearers” (p1) might still keep its wider discussions rooted. Instead, the authors frequently leapt into seemingly tangential applications rather than weaving their many observations into a coherent message. While it was carefully argued, their oft-used “Be like Ruth/Boaz” application was ultimately unpersuasive—common though it is in others’ discussions of the book of Ruth. Many significant themes were identified and persuasively demonstrated from the text of Ruth, but their integration with similar themes in wider Scripture felt cursory—demonstrating agreement with themes seen elsewhere, but never convincingly demonstrating a step forward or unique contribution to that theme, nor to the evolving storyline of Scripture. It felt more like a book on biblical intertextuality (a term the authors have deliberately avoided) rather than on biblical theology.
Similarly frustrating was the sense that this was an anthology of essays previously published by the authors in other contexts. I have no problem with self-referential works—experts in their field are standing on their own shoulders as well as others’! But it meant the book wasn’t exploring a particular idea or making a particular point; different ideas were pieced together like pearls on a string, and some subsidiary ideas were even argued on multiple occasions as though they had not already been discussed. Maybe that's an unfair criticism given the authors' stated intention, but it turns the book into an interesting reference work rather than anything approaching a monograph.
I’m indebted to the authors for many profound insights, a careful engagement with wider scholarship on the book of Ruth, and a robust refutation of many liberal criticisms of the book of Ruth. There are still numerous parts of the book I have marked as quotable for a sermon series. But in the end, I’m still unsure what they thought was the ‘meaning of the text as intended by the author’ (p1). My own view is that the book of Ruth reminds the post-exilic generation of God's providence to establish the line of David, in order to strengthen their hope—an idea given brief mention at the end of this volume (p158–9). But I didn’t spot it elsewhere in the book, and it was impoverished for that. Maybe I just missed it, but as I finished reading it, it felt like a book that skimmed the surface of what it could have been.
March 6, 2017
An exploration of the book of Ruth from a biblical-theological frame. Some very wise insights, plus the authors get bonus points for using the word 'paratextual.' While there were good moments here and there, I found that the book dragged a bit due to a bit too much time, IMO, focusing on canonical placement. I appreciate the comments about mission in the final chapter, but, as a paper that was originally presented in a different setting, it felt a little bit like it did not fit.
Not a bad book, but not the best volume in the NSBT series—an admittedly stacked series.
Not a bad book, but not the best volume in the NSBT series—an admittedly stacked series.
January 4, 2018
2 stars sounds harsh - but apparently that means "it was ok" on Goodreads, which is about right. There was good stuff here - some stimulating material on the placement of Ruth in the OT canon (the chapter on the relationship between Ruth and Proverbs 31 definitely gave me food for thought), a really good section on kingship in Ruth, and some decent material on the famine. There was what I can only imagine is a brave section on applying Ruth to mission in Malaysia. I enjoyed the material on kindness. But then there were some infuriating bits (the conclusion of the famine chapter, for example - it has to be said that overall, it felt like one of the more patronizing books in this series). And my main frustration was that it was light on the text of Ruth. There were some good insights, but the format of the book meant that these exegetical nuggets were recycled somewhat repetitiously. And the book was very quick to jump outside Ruth and onto "biblical-theological trajectories." Again, I don't mind that - but I was seldom convinced that I'd been given warrant from the authorial intention of Ruth itself for these trajectories. And that's a shame, because I suspect the warrant is there to be found.
Truth be told, 2 stars is harsh - on a star rating system, I'd give it 3. But if I'm choosing between "it was ok" and "I liked it," then, well, it was ok.
Truth be told, 2 stars is harsh - on a star rating system, I'd give it 3. But if I'm choosing between "it was ok" and "I liked it," then, well, it was ok.
January 27, 2020
The author traces various themes in the book of Ruth, e.g., providence, kindness (hesed), refuge, famine, God's hiddenness, redemption, and mission. He discusses the canonical placement of the book with Judges, Proverbs, or Psalms as well as the earlier or later date for the writing of the book. Reading Ruth alongside the other books in different placements yields different insights. Overall, it is a helpful study.
March 14, 2023
Excellent way to do biblical theology. Even if one doesn't agree with all the ways the writers approach the book of Ruth, it makes you think and seek ways to apply the book of Ruth in one's life.
Every chapter is a different angle from which to view Ruth in a biblical theological way.
Really enjoyed it.
Every chapter is a different angle from which to view Ruth in a biblical theological way.
Really enjoyed it.
April 21, 2020
Very helpful in reading Ruth within various canonical perspectives and exploring the theme of the kinsmen redeemer.
June 29, 2020
FANTASTIC!
There are several commentaries that I am reading while preaching through Ruth. They each make helpful contributions, but I found this book to be extremely helpful in fitting all those different contributions together. Commentators agree and disagree with one another, and this book was super helpful in looking at those issues from a thematic and biblical theological perspective that helped me move through the book and the areas of disagreement amongst scholars.
Highly recommended for studying, teaching, and preaching through Ruth.
There are several commentaries that I am reading while preaching through Ruth. They each make helpful contributions, but I found this book to be extremely helpful in fitting all those different contributions together. Commentators agree and disagree with one another, and this book was super helpful in looking at those issues from a thematic and biblical theological perspective that helped me move through the book and the areas of disagreement amongst scholars.
Highly recommended for studying, teaching, and preaching through Ruth.
Read
August 10, 2023“The narrative of Ruth helps to equip God’s people to engage in the missio Dei by promoting an ethic of kindness (hesed) as the guiding principle in the application of the law.”, p. 164
February 3, 2017
You can see the full review on my Wordpress blog, Spoiled Milks.
For such a short book, I've always found the book of Ruth to be quite perplexing. Why does she remain with Naomi, the "bitter" woman? Then she meets Boaz, and for some reason is at his feet very late at night so of course she asks in a roundabout way if he will marry ("redeem") her. Christ is our kinsman redeemer. Why?
As a new volume in the New Studies in Biblical Theology series, Lau and Goswell's volume on Ruth does what commentaries don't have space to do. They look at Ruth in light of it's canonical placement(s)—yes, there are three different placements where Ruth is found in various manuscripts. Lau and Goswell focus "on the meaning of the text as intended by the author for [the] original hearers, but mindful of the fact that the book as we have it is set within a wider context of Scripture" (1).
Summary
Chapter 1 sets the goal for the book: focusing on Ruth as the author intended and through the wider lens of Scripture (as the Author intended), setting Ruth up against Jesus, "the midpoint and endpoint of salvation history," and discussing Ruth's themes in light of the canon of Scripture (3).
In Chapter 2, the authors examine how those in the early restoration period (during the time of Ezra-Nehemiah) would have read Ruth. Some scholars argue that Ruth contradicts Ezra and Nehemiah, due to their insistence on breaking up exogamous marriages and their using Torah to exclude, restrict, and threaten the Israelites. By placing Ruth next to Ezra-Nehemiah and actually looking at what the text says, these issues fall apart.
Chapters 3-5 portray themes in relation to the OT contexts. At these angles, we can see similarities and differences between Ruth and the books "she" is placed among. When it comes to the question of the correct canonical position of Ruth, Lau and Goswell say that "There may be no right or wrong answers to that question; rather the point is that the differing canonical positions make a difference to how one views and reads a book" (23). Ruth is examined next to Judges and Samuel, Proverbs, and Psalms.
Chapters 6-9 describe themes in relation to the Bible as a whole: famine (6), God's hiddenness and human agency (7), redemption (8), God's mission (9).
Chapter 10 concludes with summarizing each chapter and reminding the reader (and themselves) that ethics is not to be quarantined off from Old Testament narratives. "Who God is and how he acts (theology) has moral implications (ethics)" (165).
The Chocolate Milk
I don't know when I learned that the books of the Bible were ordered differently in the MT and LXX, but it was Stephen Dempster who introduced me into seeing a theological rational behind that ordering (in the Babylonian Talmud). In their volume on Ruth, Lau and Goswell go further than Dempster and examine Ruth through the lens of the different orders of the canon (i.e., MT, Babylonian Talmud, and LXX) and the books that surround Ruth in those respective sequences. While I must say that some of the canonical information was difficult to read, and has left me with even more questions, this was extremely beneficial and an excellent work of interpreting Scripture with Scripture. Lau and Goswell are careful interpreters, and I would enjoy seeing more books on the biblical canon and their relationship to those books which surround them in each of the canonical sequences.
Recommended?
Pastors and teachers should get a hold of this volume also. They won't preach all of the details, but they will see the books where Ruth appears, making the unity of the Bible more pronounced in the minds of the congregation.
For such a short book, I've always found the book of Ruth to be quite perplexing. Why does she remain with Naomi, the "bitter" woman? Then she meets Boaz, and for some reason is at his feet very late at night so of course she asks in a roundabout way if he will marry ("redeem") her. Christ is our kinsman redeemer. Why?
As a new volume in the New Studies in Biblical Theology series, Lau and Goswell's volume on Ruth does what commentaries don't have space to do. They look at Ruth in light of it's canonical placement(s)—yes, there are three different placements where Ruth is found in various manuscripts. Lau and Goswell focus "on the meaning of the text as intended by the author for [the] original hearers, but mindful of the fact that the book as we have it is set within a wider context of Scripture" (1).
Summary
Chapter 1 sets the goal for the book: focusing on Ruth as the author intended and through the wider lens of Scripture (as the Author intended), setting Ruth up against Jesus, "the midpoint and endpoint of salvation history," and discussing Ruth's themes in light of the canon of Scripture (3).
In Chapter 2, the authors examine how those in the early restoration period (during the time of Ezra-Nehemiah) would have read Ruth. Some scholars argue that Ruth contradicts Ezra and Nehemiah, due to their insistence on breaking up exogamous marriages and their using Torah to exclude, restrict, and threaten the Israelites. By placing Ruth next to Ezra-Nehemiah and actually looking at what the text says, these issues fall apart.
Chapters 3-5 portray themes in relation to the OT contexts. At these angles, we can see similarities and differences between Ruth and the books "she" is placed among. When it comes to the question of the correct canonical position of Ruth, Lau and Goswell say that "There may be no right or wrong answers to that question; rather the point is that the differing canonical positions make a difference to how one views and reads a book" (23). Ruth is examined next to Judges and Samuel, Proverbs, and Psalms.
Chapters 6-9 describe themes in relation to the Bible as a whole: famine (6), God's hiddenness and human agency (7), redemption (8), God's mission (9).
Chapter 10 concludes with summarizing each chapter and reminding the reader (and themselves) that ethics is not to be quarantined off from Old Testament narratives. "Who God is and how he acts (theology) has moral implications (ethics)" (165).
The Chocolate Milk
I don't know when I learned that the books of the Bible were ordered differently in the MT and LXX, but it was Stephen Dempster who introduced me into seeing a theological rational behind that ordering (in the Babylonian Talmud). In their volume on Ruth, Lau and Goswell go further than Dempster and examine Ruth through the lens of the different orders of the canon (i.e., MT, Babylonian Talmud, and LXX) and the books that surround Ruth in those respective sequences. While I must say that some of the canonical information was difficult to read, and has left me with even more questions, this was extremely beneficial and an excellent work of interpreting Scripture with Scripture. Lau and Goswell are careful interpreters, and I would enjoy seeing more books on the biblical canon and their relationship to those books which surround them in each of the canonical sequences.
Recommended?
Pastors and teachers should get a hold of this volume also. They won't preach all of the details, but they will see the books where Ruth appears, making the unity of the Bible more pronounced in the minds of the congregation.
December 23, 2023
2.5/5
I really enjoyed the authors' elucidating exploration of the differing canonical traditions concerning Ruth's placement (between Judges & Samuel in the Greek, before the Psalter in Baba Bathra 14b, or after Proverbs in the MT), and the hermeneutical significance behind these various placements. However, the rest of the book's chapters felt like a bunch of loosely related, individual journal articles on Ruth that had been casually thrown together into a book. And some of these chapters seemed to focus more on other passages outside of Ruth, rather than the book of Ruth itself. Overall, one of the more disappointing entries from the NSBT series.
I really enjoyed the authors' elucidating exploration of the differing canonical traditions concerning Ruth's placement (between Judges & Samuel in the Greek, before the Psalter in Baba Bathra 14b, or after Proverbs in the MT), and the hermeneutical significance behind these various placements. However, the rest of the book's chapters felt like a bunch of loosely related, individual journal articles on Ruth that had been casually thrown together into a book. And some of these chapters seemed to focus more on other passages outside of Ruth, rather than the book of Ruth itself. Overall, one of the more disappointing entries from the NSBT series.
November 20, 2020
Favorite resource for my two papers on Ruth. Intentional scholarship and analysis of the themes, canonical shaping, and narrative dimensions of this book and its contribution to the whole of the Biblical text.
May 12, 2022
Unceasing kindness : a Biblical theology of Ruth wasn’t what I was expecting. I love the story of Ruth and was hoping for more insights into the story. However, the authors, Peter Lau and Gregory Goswell, have taken a wider perspective and looked at the book in the context of the other Old Testament books.
In our Christian Bibles, based on the Greek ordering of the Old Testament, Ruth is located after Judges and before the books of Samuel. Since Ruth ends with David’s genealogy and Samuel introduces David, this arrangement shows us how God prepared the way for his ideal king.
Some Jewish canons put Ruth immediately after Proverbs as she provides the perfect example of a noble wife (Proverbs 31). Other commentators believe Ruth should be read alongside Ezra and Nehemiah. This is because of the difficulty with foreign wives being sent away in these books. The book of Ruth provides a fuller picture. Ruth is a Moabite who is accepted into Jewish society and this also touches on the theme of mission. Ruth has forsaken the gods of Moab and chosen to follow the God of Israel something we don’t see happening with the foreign wives in Ezra-Nehemiah.
The authors discuss other themes found in Ruth, such as redemption, kingship, kindness, wisdom, the hiddenness of God and human agency. The hiddenness of God is an interesting theme as God’s purposes and actions aren’t clearly annunciated in the book of Ruth. We only hear of God spoken about by the characters in the story. This is often how God works in our lives, too.
Kindness is an important theme in the story, not only Ruth’s kindness to Naomi but Naomi's kindness to Ruth in Moab (or why would Ruth choose to go with her?). There is also Boaz's kindness to both Ruth and Naomi and God’s kindness to all.
Overall, an interesting read but a bit heavy going and tedious at times.
In our Christian Bibles, based on the Greek ordering of the Old Testament, Ruth is located after Judges and before the books of Samuel. Since Ruth ends with David’s genealogy and Samuel introduces David, this arrangement shows us how God prepared the way for his ideal king.
Some Jewish canons put Ruth immediately after Proverbs as she provides the perfect example of a noble wife (Proverbs 31). Other commentators believe Ruth should be read alongside Ezra and Nehemiah. This is because of the difficulty with foreign wives being sent away in these books. The book of Ruth provides a fuller picture. Ruth is a Moabite who is accepted into Jewish society and this also touches on the theme of mission. Ruth has forsaken the gods of Moab and chosen to follow the God of Israel something we don’t see happening with the foreign wives in Ezra-Nehemiah.
The authors discuss other themes found in Ruth, such as redemption, kingship, kindness, wisdom, the hiddenness of God and human agency. The hiddenness of God is an interesting theme as God’s purposes and actions aren’t clearly annunciated in the book of Ruth. We only hear of God spoken about by the characters in the story. This is often how God works in our lives, too.
Kindness is an important theme in the story, not only Ruth’s kindness to Naomi but Naomi's kindness to Ruth in Moab (or why would Ruth choose to go with her?). There is also Boaz's kindness to both Ruth and Naomi and God’s kindness to all.
Overall, an interesting read but a bit heavy going and tedious at times.
April 28, 2025
This is probably my second favorite book in the series amongst those I’ve read at this date. The only thing that holds it back is the chapter on a missiological reading of Ruth, which strangely focuses the discussion on Malaysia. Not only is there minuscule context for bringing in Malaysia, it is never justified as to why we would specifically talk about Malaysia.
Further compounding the issue is that the chapter on the missio Dei is underdeveloped. The authors do a poor job of justifying their missiological conclusions. Andrew Malone spent a lot of time explaining the missiological aspect of the priesthood, and how the concept of ‘living sacrifice’ wasn’t outwardly missiological.
The conclusion isn’t that there’s no valid, Christian mission, but that the Old Testament missiology is fundamentally different from the New.
The authors in this book get that and state it, but then say that Ruth is useful because it highlights how a Christian can be on mission by just living as a Christian in their culture. The point is well-taken, but the link to Ruth in that context is shaky at best.
Much more relevant is the point that returning to the land is symbolic of Old Covenant repentance. This is an excellent point and is the kind of content I love from books like these.
When the authors stay in the context of the book and the Biblical theology, it’s as good as Malone’s book. But there was no need to draw a missiology from Ruth, and its presence on this book lowers it a rung.
It is still fascinating and I recommend it, even if I don’t agree with the method that gets them to their idea of missions.
Further compounding the issue is that the chapter on the missio Dei is underdeveloped. The authors do a poor job of justifying their missiological conclusions. Andrew Malone spent a lot of time explaining the missiological aspect of the priesthood, and how the concept of ‘living sacrifice’ wasn’t outwardly missiological.
The conclusion isn’t that there’s no valid, Christian mission, but that the Old Testament missiology is fundamentally different from the New.
The authors in this book get that and state it, but then say that Ruth is useful because it highlights how a Christian can be on mission by just living as a Christian in their culture. The point is well-taken, but the link to Ruth in that context is shaky at best.
Much more relevant is the point that returning to the land is symbolic of Old Covenant repentance. This is an excellent point and is the kind of content I love from books like these.
When the authors stay in the context of the book and the Biblical theology, it’s as good as Malone’s book. But there was no need to draw a missiology from Ruth, and its presence on this book lowers it a rung.
It is still fascinating and I recommend it, even if I don’t agree with the method that gets them to their idea of missions.
December 28, 2017
I appreciated the author's emphasis on canonical placement. Identifying Ruth as post-exilic helped to make sense of the lack of cultic elements in the book (temple, sacrifices, etc.). For teaching purposes, I also found the authors' letigitimating guidelines for typology very helpful. While I appreciated the author's emphasis on understanding Ruth within a larger redemptive framework, I found their "missional hermeneutic" somewhat contrived and, ultimately, unconvincing. I'd really like to give it a 3.5/5 but in the spirit of charity, I'll round up to a 4. It's worthy of a place on the shelf.
August 27, 2025
Biblical Theology is a kind of "how does this fit into a "Hebrew Canon" as well as an entire Christian Bible context (excluding Apocrypha - Ancient Christian writings such as 1 Clement to Origen - Augustine framework) : Lau figures that Ruth is part of a "Book-section of DAVID" due to early Talmud - Mishnah reference that posits Ruth as intro; PSALMS as major book; Chronicles (First & Second) as a kind of Part III sequel. Fascinating and even has scope to cover "Famine" as an excursus and Genealogical impact on who King David was and had as God's chosen ruler/leader. Good -- 4* out of 5.
January 25, 2018
The authors do a paratextual examination of Ruth as it relates to its placement in canon of scripture including its most common Greek position after Judges, Hebrew tradition after Proverbs, Talmud tradition in relation to Psalms, and post-exilic relation to Ezra-Nehemiah. Then they examine how it contributes to biblical themes of famine & hunger, God's hiddenness and human agency, redemption and God's mission. Insightful and convincing.
September 26, 2024
So far, one of my favorite books in the NSBT series. Lau and Goswell do an excellent job explaining the biblical-theological significance of Ruth. Lots of great nuggets along the way. I felt also that their introductory chapter(s) would be helpful for someone just exploring bib. theo. for the first time (for those already familiar with the discipline may find it redundant). As I prep for teaching Ruth, I'm very glad I spent time to read it.
November 27, 2025
I like this series, and always reach for the appropriate NSBT volume when preaching through the corresponding biblical text. This one is solid and helpful, if a bit uneven. I particularly appreciate the discussions of divine hiddenness, human agency, and the titular theme of "kindness." A few of the chapters felt a bit underdeveloped and scattershot, especially when interacting with form and text criticism (dating, authorship, etc.) but it still contributed to my study and prep.
December 2, 2025
Pretty helpful introduction to the role that the book of Ruth plays in biblical theology. It's readable and I especially appreciate the conclusion at the every chapter - a helpful summary. More books should do this.
Structurally, the chapter breakdown could have been improved with two meta-chapters or 'parts'. Part 1: The Biblical Theological Purpose of Ruth, Part 3: The Biblical Theological Themes in Ruth
Structurally, the chapter breakdown could have been improved with two meta-chapters or 'parts'. Part 1: The Biblical Theological Purpose of Ruth, Part 3: The Biblical Theological Themes in Ruth
June 30, 2023
Parts of this book were helpful, but there is a lot of filtering of text in order to obtain it.
Parts of the book could be considered a "biblical theology of Ruth" but about half of the book felt like a tracing of topics throughout Scripture, which isn't biblical theology in of itself if it is not connected to the overall arc of Scripture.
Could have been written with greater clarity and outline.
Parts of the book could be considered a "biblical theology of Ruth" but about half of the book felt like a tracing of topics throughout Scripture, which isn't biblical theology in of itself if it is not connected to the overall arc of Scripture.
Could have been written with greater clarity and outline.
April 14, 2021
Some good insights. Nothing earth-shattering, but the author's discussion of Ruth's canonical location was particularly good. The last part of the book has a questionable discussion of missional theology and a recommendation of government-sponsored socialism. Worth reading once.
January 18, 2026
Great resource for studying the book of Ruth. I learned a lot about the book of Ruth, especially in regard to biblical theology. I found the section comparing Ruth to the Proverbs 31 woman very intriguing and insightful.
April 8, 2019
I would give this a 4.5 if GoodReads would let me.
February 1, 2022
This book contains some helpful discussions on themes such as canonical contexts, sovereignty, mission, judgement and redemption.
October 14, 2023
Conceptually helpful, but boring academic writing. I’d recommend skimming for main ideas.
June 16, 2024
Slow starting but the back half had some great insights even beyond Ruth. Highly recommended.
July 28, 2025
Not a light read by any means, but helpful as a teaching aid for the book of Ruth.
October 3, 2025
Really, really helpful. This book has given me a much richer understanding of the book of Ruth.
December 5, 2016
It’s a tale of two books. There’s the narrow part on Ruth’s canonical placement and how that affects theology and the warm part on the great theological themes of Ruth. One is esoteric and the other is quite helpful to anyone who might be studying the Book of Ruth.
Peter Lau and Gregory Goswell provide this latest entry in the reputable New Studies In Biblical Theology series edited by D. A. Carson. It’s clear they have studied their subject carefully even if there is a mixture of the obscure and the enlightening.
As for that canonical placement there was no information given that would have made me reject Ruth’s current placement and its closest relation to Judges. I’m not saying their conclusions were bad, but I wonder if that whole section would have been better placed in a lengthy appendix.
The book gives its value to our studies when it takes theology straight on as is more traditional in such volumes. For example, the authors really mined the significance of famine and tied it in to the Bible at large. There were profound insights in that section. The volume also, as you would expect, tackles redemption in Ruth. The corollary thoughts on typology (Is Boaz a type of Christ?) are also discussed to advantage.
Overall, despite some chapters that would only appeal to specialists, this is a helpful volume.
I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.
Peter Lau and Gregory Goswell provide this latest entry in the reputable New Studies In Biblical Theology series edited by D. A. Carson. It’s clear they have studied their subject carefully even if there is a mixture of the obscure and the enlightening.
As for that canonical placement there was no information given that would have made me reject Ruth’s current placement and its closest relation to Judges. I’m not saying their conclusions were bad, but I wonder if that whole section would have been better placed in a lengthy appendix.
The book gives its value to our studies when it takes theology straight on as is more traditional in such volumes. For example, the authors really mined the significance of famine and tied it in to the Bible at large. There were profound insights in that section. The volume also, as you would expect, tackles redemption in Ruth. The corollary thoughts on typology (Is Boaz a type of Christ?) are also discussed to advantage.
Overall, despite some chapters that would only appeal to specialists, this is a helpful volume.
I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.
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