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Essential Writings of Meredith G. Kline
The scholarship of Meredith G. Kline (1922–2007) was characterized by a very high view of Scripture, a strong commitment to a Reformed view of biblical theology (centered on covenant), explication of the coherence of the Old and New Testaments, and, most of all, a desire to focus the attention of both scholars and lay Christians on the centrality of Christ’s redemptive work of justifying his people and imbuing them with his perfect righteousness. Kline’s writings are often quite creative and full of fresh insights, thoroughly intellectual but also pastoral, and they have provided many with the exciting, energizing feeling that they are reading and understanding the biblical text―and how Scripture in its entirety hangs together―for the first time.
Essential Writings of Meredith G. Kline presents sixteen articles that Meredith G. Kline wrote over a period of forty years. The articles display the unique, creative, and Christocentric way in which Kline interpreted the entire Bible. They cover a range of topics, thereby providing a good overview of Kline’s scholarship. Topics include covenant, law, and the state; faith, the gospel, and justification; redemption; and resurrection and the consummation. Pastors and scholars, especially those in the Reformed community, will be delighted by the fresh insights and wisdom, and sometimes paradigm-changing perspectives, found in the pages of this book.
Meredith G. Kline (1922–2007) was a professor of Old Testament for fifty-five years, teaching at four Westminster Theological Seminary in Philadelphia, Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, Reformed Theological Seminary, and Westminster Theological Seminary in California. He was also an ordained minister in the Orthodox Presbyterian Church.
Essential Writings of Meredith G. Kline presents sixteen articles that Meredith G. Kline wrote over a period of forty years. The articles display the unique, creative, and Christocentric way in which Kline interpreted the entire Bible. They cover a range of topics, thereby providing a good overview of Kline’s scholarship. Topics include covenant, law, and the state; faith, the gospel, and justification; redemption; and resurrection and the consummation. Pastors and scholars, especially those in the Reformed community, will be delighted by the fresh insights and wisdom, and sometimes paradigm-changing perspectives, found in the pages of this book.
Meredith G. Kline (1922–2007) was a professor of Old Testament for fifty-five years, teaching at four Westminster Theological Seminary in Philadelphia, Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, Reformed Theological Seminary, and Westminster Theological Seminary in California. He was also an ordained minister in the Orthodox Presbyterian Church.
330 pages, Hardcover
Published August 1, 2017
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About the author
Meredith G. Kline
22 books34 followersMeredith G. Kline was Professor Emeritus of Old Testament at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary. He received his B.D. and Th.M. degrees from Westminster Theological Seminary (Philadelphia) and his Ph.D. degree in Assyriology and Egyptology from Dropsie College. Professor Kline maintained an active writing and teaching ministry, serving on the faculty of Westminster Theological Seminary in Escondido, California. He was also an ordained minister in the Orthodox Presbyterian Church. The collection of essays in the recently-published Creator, Redeemer, Consummator, a festschrift written in honor of Dr. Kline, attests to the indelible influence his work has exerted on contemporary biblical and theological scholarship.
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February 26, 2018
Summary: A collection of articles by Meredith Kline spanning Genesis to Revelation, and the author's academic career characterized by biblical insight and theological integrity within a Reformed perspective.
Meredith G. Kline (1922-2007) was a professor of Old Testament perhaps best known for one of his early works, Treaty of the Great King (1963). Drawing on discoveries in Hittite treaty forms, he contended that the structure of Deuteronomy reflects the structure of treaty covenants of the Second Millennium BC, lending support for traditional dating as opposed to a late date at the time of Josiah's kingship. He was also author of The Structure of Biblical Authority (1975), an important contribution to the discussion of the doctrine of scripture.
This new collection of articles gives us the "essence" the work of Kline, and introduces him to a new generation of students of scripture, aided by a biographical sketch by his son, and an introduction by his grandson, both who have followed in his steps as Old Testament scholars. In reading these articles, that essence consists in scholarly rigor and precision and a capacity to reach novel conclusions and fresh insight that remain consistent with Reformed theological orthodoxy, and centered around the redemptive work of Christ and redemptive purpose of God.
Part One opens with two essays on Creation, centering on details like the lack of vegetation on the earth due to it not having yet rained and there being humans to cultivate the earth. The effect of these essays is to argue against a literal creation week on the basis of the Genesis text, and that there is no inherent conflict between biblical and scientific accounts of origins.
Covenant, Law, and State are the concerns of Part Two. Kline finds a basis for the common grace of the state in God's promise to Cain. He questions traditional interpretations of Genesis 6:1-4, arguing these are tyrannical kings using their prerogatives for various illicit unions, including polygamy. He argues that the two tables of the law are actually two copies of the law, the sovereign's and the vassal's. He looks at laws around lex talionis and miscarriage, and what they reveal about the life ethic of scripture (while noting that abortion was unthinkable in this culture).
Part Three centers on Faith, the Gospel, and Justification. It begins with a careful study of Abraham's " Amen" in Genesis 15:6, considering its use throughout the Old Testament, contending that this was indeed a declaration of faith in God and God's promises by which Abraham is justified by God. The next article proposes Exodus as the basis for the Gospel genre. Finally, in "Double Trouble" he argues that the doubles in scripture concerning penalties are not multiplications but rather the penalty mirroring the offense (a "double" as it were).
Under the theme of "Redemption," Part Four begins with an essay on Passover, which Kline argues is better understood as "cover-over." One of the most interesting essays in the collection was an argument that in Job, Satan is the one who in fact is the object of a "trial by ordeal." Finally, in an article that like many moves back and forth throughout scripture, Kline considers the messianic imagery of the rider of the red horse in Zechariah 1:8.
Three of the four essays in Part Five concern the resurrection, and particularly the hope believers have of being immediately in the Lord's presence upon death, what Kline sees as "The First Resurrection" in Revelation 20:4-6. The second and third articles are connected, with the third a rejoinder to a response by Ramsey Michaels. I wish in this case that Michaels' response could have been included so the reader could follow the discussion. The final makes the proposal that Har Magedon is actually Har mo'ed or the Mount of Assembly, and is sited at Mt Zion/Zaphon (cf Psalm 48).
While he questions traditional readings, often drawing on lingual-cultural insights, he tests interpretation of particular texts against the whole of scripture and moves from biblical to theological exegesis in a way that consistently witnesses to the redemptive, Christ-anticipating arc of the text. It is a consistent challenge to bring fresh insights to the study of the biblical text without drifting away from orthodoxy. I thought these articles a good example of scholarship that flourished within that tension. There is also an unspoken testimony to the integrity of his life and work in this book with three generations of Klines, all Old Testament scholars, contributing to this book. Not a bad scholarly legacy!
____________________________
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary review copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.
Meredith G. Kline (1922-2007) was a professor of Old Testament perhaps best known for one of his early works, Treaty of the Great King (1963). Drawing on discoveries in Hittite treaty forms, he contended that the structure of Deuteronomy reflects the structure of treaty covenants of the Second Millennium BC, lending support for traditional dating as opposed to a late date at the time of Josiah's kingship. He was also author of The Structure of Biblical Authority (1975), an important contribution to the discussion of the doctrine of scripture.
This new collection of articles gives us the "essence" the work of Kline, and introduces him to a new generation of students of scripture, aided by a biographical sketch by his son, and an introduction by his grandson, both who have followed in his steps as Old Testament scholars. In reading these articles, that essence consists in scholarly rigor and precision and a capacity to reach novel conclusions and fresh insight that remain consistent with Reformed theological orthodoxy, and centered around the redemptive work of Christ and redemptive purpose of God.
Part One opens with two essays on Creation, centering on details like the lack of vegetation on the earth due to it not having yet rained and there being humans to cultivate the earth. The effect of these essays is to argue against a literal creation week on the basis of the Genesis text, and that there is no inherent conflict between biblical and scientific accounts of origins.
Covenant, Law, and State are the concerns of Part Two. Kline finds a basis for the common grace of the state in God's promise to Cain. He questions traditional interpretations of Genesis 6:1-4, arguing these are tyrannical kings using their prerogatives for various illicit unions, including polygamy. He argues that the two tables of the law are actually two copies of the law, the sovereign's and the vassal's. He looks at laws around lex talionis and miscarriage, and what they reveal about the life ethic of scripture (while noting that abortion was unthinkable in this culture).
Part Three centers on Faith, the Gospel, and Justification. It begins with a careful study of Abraham's " Amen" in Genesis 15:6, considering its use throughout the Old Testament, contending that this was indeed a declaration of faith in God and God's promises by which Abraham is justified by God. The next article proposes Exodus as the basis for the Gospel genre. Finally, in "Double Trouble" he argues that the doubles in scripture concerning penalties are not multiplications but rather the penalty mirroring the offense (a "double" as it were).
Under the theme of "Redemption," Part Four begins with an essay on Passover, which Kline argues is better understood as "cover-over." One of the most interesting essays in the collection was an argument that in Job, Satan is the one who in fact is the object of a "trial by ordeal." Finally, in an article that like many moves back and forth throughout scripture, Kline considers the messianic imagery of the rider of the red horse in Zechariah 1:8.
Three of the four essays in Part Five concern the resurrection, and particularly the hope believers have of being immediately in the Lord's presence upon death, what Kline sees as "The First Resurrection" in Revelation 20:4-6. The second and third articles are connected, with the third a rejoinder to a response by Ramsey Michaels. I wish in this case that Michaels' response could have been included so the reader could follow the discussion. The final makes the proposal that Har Magedon is actually Har mo'ed or the Mount of Assembly, and is sited at Mt Zion/Zaphon (cf Psalm 48).
While he questions traditional readings, often drawing on lingual-cultural insights, he tests interpretation of particular texts against the whole of scripture and moves from biblical to theological exegesis in a way that consistently witnesses to the redemptive, Christ-anticipating arc of the text. It is a consistent challenge to bring fresh insights to the study of the biblical text without drifting away from orthodoxy. I thought these articles a good example of scholarship that flourished within that tension. There is also an unspoken testimony to the integrity of his life and work in this book with three generations of Klines, all Old Testament scholars, contributing to this book. Not a bad scholarly legacy!
____________________________
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary review copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.
August 25, 2017
[Note: This book was provided free of charge by Hendrickson Publishers. All thoughts and opinions are my own.]
After reading a previous work by the late author [1], I expressed an immediate interest in reading this book once it was published, and once it was, the publisher sent me a message letting me know that this book was on its way per my longstanding request. This particular book is part of a phenomenon that tends to happen to notable authors, where after death their published essays and papers are compiled into books and labeled as essential readings [2]. An obvious question that a reader would have for this book is: Does it live up its is name? Is this book a collection of essential writings? And although I am not from the author's religious tradition, the answer to that question is definitely a yes. Most readers would find something to disagree with here--I know I certainly did--but whether a particular essay is one whose perspective one agrees with or whose reasoning one finds convincing or not, these are works that show Kline at work as a controversialist and as someone with something deep and interesting to say, usually in a midrashic fashion, about the scriptures and their interpretation. The author deals with important questions even when his answers are mistaken, and that makes this book worthwhile to read even for those who do not share the author's worldview.
The contents of this book require fairly close reading, as they demonstrate the author's subtle intellect. The book opens with a foreword by noted biblical historian Tremper Longman III, whose work I have deeply appreciated and respected, some acknowledgements and abbreviations, a biographical sketch from one of the author's sons and an introduction from one of the author's grandsons. After this, the book contains almost 300 pages of essays. The first two essays deal with Creation, with the author showing off his odd thoughts on the organization of Genesis 1 in light of his interpretation of Genesis 2:5, where he starts with a dubious position and then doubles down on it with a further essay, a characteristic of the author's approach. After this come four essays that deal with the state, specifically the oracular origin of the State, divine kingship in Genesis 6:1-4, the connection between the two tablets of the Covenant and Hittite suzerain-vassal treaties, and the application of lex talionis to the human fetus. The third part of the book deals with faith, the Gospel, and justification, with the author writing about Abram's amen, the OT origins of the Gospels as a genre, and a close analysis of the biblical world often translated "double." Three essays on redemption follow that look at the Feast of Cover-Over (Passover) from a linguistic perspective, look at the trial by ordeal in the book of Job [3], and look at the symbolism of the rider of the red horse in Zechariah. the fifth and final part of the book looks at resurrection and consummation with four essays that look at death and martyrdom and the Leviathan in Isaiah 24:1-27:1, two essays on a particularly dubious view of the "first resurrection," and a discussion of Har Magedon as being a mountain of assembly, which the author bizarrely uses to justify his views on amillennialism. After this comes a bibliography and two indices of authors and sources.
There was a great deal in this book that I disagreed with, so my warm recommendation of this book is not a blanket endorsement of the author's opinions and interpretations by any means. That said, the author's comments on such issue as the abhorrence of abortion in the ancient world--both biblical and heathen--as well as the relationship between and within the Bible concerning genre and language are immensely worthwhile, as is the author's discussion of the tyrannical behavior of pre-flood monarchs who claimed to be "sons of the gods." Even where this author is wrong--such as his interpretations of prophecy in an amillennial fashion or his interpretation of Genesis 2:5--the author comes off as a very intelligent and learned person it would be worthwhile to talk with over food at a family dinner or pot luck and whose wrong ideas encouraged thoughtful conversation and debate. This book has commentary on discussions that are still subjects of considerable debate and the author has a lot to say that is deeply worthwhile and always very interesting. This book's writings deserve to be remembered as essential, not something that can be said about everyone's writings.
[1] https://edgeinducedcohesion.blog/2016...
[2] See, for example:
https://edgeinducedcohesion.blog/2016...
https://edgeinducedcohesion.blog/2015...
https://edgeinducedcohesion.blog/2016...
https://edgeinducedcohesion.wordpress...
[3] See, for example:
https://edgeinducedcohesion.blog/2016...
https://edgeinducedcohesion.blog/2016...
After reading a previous work by the late author [1], I expressed an immediate interest in reading this book once it was published, and once it was, the publisher sent me a message letting me know that this book was on its way per my longstanding request. This particular book is part of a phenomenon that tends to happen to notable authors, where after death their published essays and papers are compiled into books and labeled as essential readings [2]. An obvious question that a reader would have for this book is: Does it live up its is name? Is this book a collection of essential writings? And although I am not from the author's religious tradition, the answer to that question is definitely a yes. Most readers would find something to disagree with here--I know I certainly did--but whether a particular essay is one whose perspective one agrees with or whose reasoning one finds convincing or not, these are works that show Kline at work as a controversialist and as someone with something deep and interesting to say, usually in a midrashic fashion, about the scriptures and their interpretation. The author deals with important questions even when his answers are mistaken, and that makes this book worthwhile to read even for those who do not share the author's worldview.
The contents of this book require fairly close reading, as they demonstrate the author's subtle intellect. The book opens with a foreword by noted biblical historian Tremper Longman III, whose work I have deeply appreciated and respected, some acknowledgements and abbreviations, a biographical sketch from one of the author's sons and an introduction from one of the author's grandsons. After this, the book contains almost 300 pages of essays. The first two essays deal with Creation, with the author showing off his odd thoughts on the organization of Genesis 1 in light of his interpretation of Genesis 2:5, where he starts with a dubious position and then doubles down on it with a further essay, a characteristic of the author's approach. After this come four essays that deal with the state, specifically the oracular origin of the State, divine kingship in Genesis 6:1-4, the connection between the two tablets of the Covenant and Hittite suzerain-vassal treaties, and the application of lex talionis to the human fetus. The third part of the book deals with faith, the Gospel, and justification, with the author writing about Abram's amen, the OT origins of the Gospels as a genre, and a close analysis of the biblical world often translated "double." Three essays on redemption follow that look at the Feast of Cover-Over (Passover) from a linguistic perspective, look at the trial by ordeal in the book of Job [3], and look at the symbolism of the rider of the red horse in Zechariah. the fifth and final part of the book looks at resurrection and consummation with four essays that look at death and martyrdom and the Leviathan in Isaiah 24:1-27:1, two essays on a particularly dubious view of the "first resurrection," and a discussion of Har Magedon as being a mountain of assembly, which the author bizarrely uses to justify his views on amillennialism. After this comes a bibliography and two indices of authors and sources.
There was a great deal in this book that I disagreed with, so my warm recommendation of this book is not a blanket endorsement of the author's opinions and interpretations by any means. That said, the author's comments on such issue as the abhorrence of abortion in the ancient world--both biblical and heathen--as well as the relationship between and within the Bible concerning genre and language are immensely worthwhile, as is the author's discussion of the tyrannical behavior of pre-flood monarchs who claimed to be "sons of the gods." Even where this author is wrong--such as his interpretations of prophecy in an amillennial fashion or his interpretation of Genesis 2:5--the author comes off as a very intelligent and learned person it would be worthwhile to talk with over food at a family dinner or pot luck and whose wrong ideas encouraged thoughtful conversation and debate. This book has commentary on discussions that are still subjects of considerable debate and the author has a lot to say that is deeply worthwhile and always very interesting. This book's writings deserve to be remembered as essential, not something that can be said about everyone's writings.
[1] https://edgeinducedcohesion.blog/2016...
[2] See, for example:
https://edgeinducedcohesion.blog/2016...
https://edgeinducedcohesion.blog/2015...
https://edgeinducedcohesion.blog/2016...
https://edgeinducedcohesion.wordpress...
[3] See, for example:
https://edgeinducedcohesion.blog/2016...
https://edgeinducedcohesion.blog/2016...
August 31, 2017
Meredith G. Kline is arguably the most formative theological mind of the twentieth century. He embodied the strongest commitment to the authority of Scripture and revolutionized Reformed biblical theology. He was Professor Emeritus of Old Testament at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, and maintained an active writing and teaching ministry at Westminster Theological Seminary in Escondido, California. The influence of Meredith G. Kline reaches across decades of academic rigor, and includes a corpus of books and articles such as God, Heaven, and Her Magedon: A Covenantal Tale of Cosmos and Telos (Wipf & Stock, 2006), Kingdom Prologue: Genesis Foundations for a Covenantal Worldview (Wipf & Stock, 2006), and Images of the Spirit (Wipf & Stock, 1999). Now, just over a decade after Kline went to be with the Lord, a handsome hardcover presentation of his essential writings has been produced by Hendrickson Publishers.
Essential Writings of Meredith G. Kline brings together sixteen articles written over a period of four decades. The book begins with a biographical sketch of Kline from his son, Meredith M. Kline. For those unfamiliar with Kline, this brief bio is an appropriate place to start that journey. Kline does an tremendous job reflecting on the influence, life, and ministry of his father, and readers will appreciate it’s inclusion in this volume. Next, Kline’s grandson, Jonathan G. Kline, offers an introduction to the volume and positions the reader for the road ahead, including comments regarding his editorial role and the articles included in the book. What makes this collection of essays more valuable to the reader is the organizational care that went into its systematic structure. The book is organized around five major parts—(1) creation, (2) covenant, law, and the state, (3) faith, the gospel, and justification, (4) redemption, and (5) resurrection and consummation—with an average of about 3-4 articles comprising each part. This allows readers to topically engage with Kline’s work, and (hopefully) directs them towards his lifework for further investigation.
Meredith G. Kline has been a tremendous influence on how I engage the Bible, especially as it relates to areas of biblical theology. I was overjoyed when I discovered that Hendrickson was going to produce this volume. From the biographical sketch to the last essay, I read with great appreciation for the Kline, his family, and the publisher. Apart from the content itself, which as alluded to above offers a grand sweep of Kline’s major academic focus, the physical form of the book is excellent. Nice, thick paper, and an equally pleasant quality of print. There’s not much to critique about this volume. It delivers what it promises to deliver—essential writings of Meredith G. Kline. If I had to identify a possible missed opportunity, I think it would have been nice to include some photographs in the biographical essay. It would have added sentimental value to an already well-positioned nostalgic volume. Nonetheless, the lack thereof in no way detracts from the value of this book for the contemporary reader.
I can only imagine the level of difficulty that was met when selecting which material was going to be used in a volume of this scope, and for that I truly applaud the editorial work therein. It has brought together some of the most important material from arguably the most important mind of the twentieth century. Essential Writings of Meredith G. Kline is an essential read for anyone serious about the Bible or biblical-theological studies. That said, it is only a mere glimpse into the treasure trove that awaits those who fervently follow it’s footprints to the lifework of Meredith G. Kline. It comes highly recommended!
Essential Writings of Meredith G. Kline brings together sixteen articles written over a period of four decades. The book begins with a biographical sketch of Kline from his son, Meredith M. Kline. For those unfamiliar with Kline, this brief bio is an appropriate place to start that journey. Kline does an tremendous job reflecting on the influence, life, and ministry of his father, and readers will appreciate it’s inclusion in this volume. Next, Kline’s grandson, Jonathan G. Kline, offers an introduction to the volume and positions the reader for the road ahead, including comments regarding his editorial role and the articles included in the book. What makes this collection of essays more valuable to the reader is the organizational care that went into its systematic structure. The book is organized around five major parts—(1) creation, (2) covenant, law, and the state, (3) faith, the gospel, and justification, (4) redemption, and (5) resurrection and consummation—with an average of about 3-4 articles comprising each part. This allows readers to topically engage with Kline’s work, and (hopefully) directs them towards his lifework for further investigation.
Meredith G. Kline has been a tremendous influence on how I engage the Bible, especially as it relates to areas of biblical theology. I was overjoyed when I discovered that Hendrickson was going to produce this volume. From the biographical sketch to the last essay, I read with great appreciation for the Kline, his family, and the publisher. Apart from the content itself, which as alluded to above offers a grand sweep of Kline’s major academic focus, the physical form of the book is excellent. Nice, thick paper, and an equally pleasant quality of print. There’s not much to critique about this volume. It delivers what it promises to deliver—essential writings of Meredith G. Kline. If I had to identify a possible missed opportunity, I think it would have been nice to include some photographs in the biographical essay. It would have added sentimental value to an already well-positioned nostalgic volume. Nonetheless, the lack thereof in no way detracts from the value of this book for the contemporary reader.
I can only imagine the level of difficulty that was met when selecting which material was going to be used in a volume of this scope, and for that I truly applaud the editorial work therein. It has brought together some of the most important material from arguably the most important mind of the twentieth century. Essential Writings of Meredith G. Kline is an essential read for anyone serious about the Bible or biblical-theological studies. That said, it is only a mere glimpse into the treasure trove that awaits those who fervently follow it’s footprints to the lifework of Meredith G. Kline. It comes highly recommended!
February 5, 2024
Meredith Kline's 'Essential Writings' offers a profoundly academic journey, reminding me of my university days. To navigate, I opted for a strategic approach—reading for a general overview rather than delving into every detail. (I can always come back to it now as a resource)
Despite the scholarly tone, Kline's meticulous theology and commitment to biblical accuracy shine through. His essays, though varying in interest, reveal a depth that makes revisiting certain passages irresistible. The book, demanding at times, is a solid read deserving of a 4.5-star rating. It may not be for everyone, but Kline's dedication to truth is evident, leaving a lasting impact on how one views certain biblical narratives.
Despite the scholarly tone, Kline's meticulous theology and commitment to biblical accuracy shine through. His essays, though varying in interest, reveal a depth that makes revisiting certain passages irresistible. The book, demanding at times, is a solid read deserving of a 4.5-star rating. It may not be for everyone, but Kline's dedication to truth is evident, leaving a lasting impact on how one views certain biblical narratives.
January 26, 2025
All of these articles are gold - some of the Hebrew exegesis was beyond me and some articles are “read once”. But a number of articles are worth coming back to again and again.
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