Irrevocable: The Name of God and the Unity of the Christian Bible

by R Kendall Soulen

The Tetragrammaton, the traditionally unspoken proper name of God, is the most holy of all God's names in the Bible. Despite its sacredness, Christian theology has often neglected the significance of this divine name, an omission that has fostered Christianity's supersessionist stance toward the Jewish people and created other problems for Christian theology as well. In Irrevocable , author R. Kendall Soulen puts the Tetragrammaton back at the center of Christian theology to demonstrate the difference that God's proper name makes for Christian faith, from the doctrine of the Trinity to the unity of the Christian Bible and Christianity's relationship to Judaism and Islam. In the end, Soulen reveals how something so holy and so unique can also be so important for all.

Genres: Theology

209 pages, Hardcover

Published October 4, 2022

Reviews

[Jared Greer · Rating 4 out of 5]

A bit of a mixed bag, with really high highs.

The early essay on covenant is worth the price of the book. It offers an excellent critique of Christopher J. H. Wright’s popular ‘instrumental’ view of Israel’s election; Scripture grounds the election of Israel not simply in Israel’s utility, but in God’s unique love for Israel. I also found the final essay to offer thought-provoking sociocultural analysis. In it, Soulen examines the rising interest in ecumenical conceptions of God as ineffable. He suggests that in many (though not all) cases, this rising interest can be reasonably attributed to imperial interests and the political utility of such a conception.

While the book contains essays on several disparate theological topics, Soulen finds a way to integrate his theology of the Tetragrammaton (YHWH) into each of them. On the whole, I find that theology to be quite profound. And the book actually convinced me that Christians should join their Jewish siblings in leaving the divine name unpronounced.

In various instances, I found myself thinking that Soulen’s interpretations were a bit of a stretch. As a systematic theologian, he doesn’t always offer the most comprehensive biblical exegesis. Even so, this was one of the most thoughtful and stimulating works of theology I read this year. I’ll definitely be chewing on its contents for a long time.

[Ken · Rating 5 out of 5]

Essential reading for every serious Christian

After reading R. Kendall Soulen's first two books, I became convinced that, should Jews disappear from the Earth, Christianity would likewise disappear. As I read this morning of Jews quietly discussing where they might go if the US continues on its toxic path, I see how important this book has become.
Christians must know and believe that Jesus is and will always be a Jewish man. To ignore his human nature and his birth in human history is to annul our salvation. It would relegate his presence to nothing more than a spiritual presence that evaporates into fantasy.
Professor Soulen's recovery of the Tetragrammaton, and especially his showing Jesus's hyper reverence for the Name are good news for Christians and Jews.

[David Bruyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Soulen's brilliant insights on how the name of God is used, and his excellent anti-supercessionism is spoilt by a needless ecumenicism. Soulen's view that there is no imperative for Jewish evangelism is an extraordinary blindness.

[Jake Ruefer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Everyone should read the last chapter.