When approaching a book of the Bible we are often encouraged to get into the detail of the text. To work our way through the text, verse by verse, and grasp the intricate detail of narrative or argument and follow its development through the course of the document.
All this is well and good, but it is possible to get lost in the detail.
An overview like those by the Bible Project can be helpful but sometimes too general.
Somewhere between these approaches is the book that looks at the theology of a biblical document. A writer picks out and explores significant themes that run through the book. It is not as detailed as a commentary nor as general as an overview. A recent series from Crossway aims to help us understand the New Testament better by taking this approach.
Dane Ortlund’s volume in this series looks at Paul’s second letter to the Corinthians: Ministry in the New Realm. In a brief introduction Ortlund suggests that, in this letter, Paul is at his most autobiographical, raw, interpersonal, and defensive as he continues to minister to the New Testament problem child that is the Corinthian congregation.
In a series of seven chapters, he explores the following themes: Inaugurated Eschatology, Jesus Christ, The Spirit, Satan, Friendship, Heaven, and Strength through Weakness.
Ministry in the New Realm: A Theology of 2 Corinthians
Dane C. Ortlund
Ministry in the New Realm: A Theology of 2 Corinthians
Dane C. Ortlund
Best known for its interpersonal, emotionally raw, and pastorally distressed tone, 2 Corinthians is one of Paul’s most distinctive epistles. Here Dane Ortlund explores 2 Corinthians to reveal the core arguments presented by Paul. Through clear and engaging theological examinations, Ortlund expounds two predominant themes—inaugurated eschatology and strength through weakness—and connects various other motifs traced throughout this epistle. Readers will learn how Christ’s resurrection ushered in the new realm—one where life and ministry are flipped upside down, and God’s power is intertwined with human weakness.
Starting Strong, Finishing Well
Where Ortlund begins and ends is important.
He begins by outlining the concept of inaugurated eschatology. Many will be familiar with ‘now–not yet’ as a summary phrase of this dynamic:
What was expected to happen at the end of history has been launched back and dropped into the middle of history. Christ’s first coming … began the eschaton, and his second coming will escalate the eschaton into its full blossoming. (15)
Ortlund claims that this outlook underpins all the New Testament writings and therefore it is the lens through which he examines themes in 2 Corinthians. His term for the present effects of this work is ‘new realm ministry’ and each of his subheadings relates the theme to this reality (for example, Jesus Christ: The Launcher of New Realm Ministry; The Spirit: The Sign of New Realm Ministry).
He concludes with a chapter on Strength Through Weakness: The Secret to New Realm Ministry. This is the subject of Ortlund’s masters thesis and his detailed work is ably summarised and presented in this chapter as he explores a theme that he says pervasively, conspicuously and uniquely controls the letter of 2 Corinthians (115). It is certainly instantly recognisable to any student of 2 Corinthians.
Strength Through Weakness … pervasively, conspicuously and uniquely controls the letter of 2 Corinthians.
Inaugurated eschatology is described as the ‘where’ of Christian experience; strength through weakness is described as the ‘how’ (141). These bookends are significant and helpful.
The opening discussion of inaugurated eschatology sets the scene for the following, more focussed thematic discussions. The final discussion of strength through weakness leaves the reader thinking about a major theme in 2 Corinthians that is both intimately related to the eschatological theme and also full of pastoral and ministry implications. As they seek to apply Paul’s exhortations, they are reminded to rely on Christ’s sufficient strength in the face of their weakness.
Getting From Beginning to End
Between these poles the other five themes are dealt with in good, but not excessive, detail. Ortlund writes clearly and provides a helpful summary at the end of each chapter.
He self-consciously resists the temptation to turn Ministry in the New Realm into a summary of broader Pauline theology and simply follows the grain of 2 Corinthians. So, for example, he deals briefly with issues of atonement and reconciliation in a discussion of 2 Corinthians 5 but notes that the thrust of Paul’s teaching on Christ in 2 Corinthians is concentrated on the matters he explores at greater length: the dawning of the new age, strength through weakness, the conduct of Christian relationships. While not akin to a commentary, the fact that each thematic discussion is firmly grounded in the text means we not only get a grasp of these theological themes, but we also understand in more detail the letter itself.
He self-consciously resists the temptation to turn Ministry in the New Realm into a summary of broader Pauline theology and simply follows the grain of 2 Corinthians.
The chapters on the Spirit, Satan, Friendship and Heaven follow a similar pattern, with the theme being expounded with a view to their relationship to the new realm reality. The chapter on Satan is particularly innovative with attention paid to six relevant passages spread through the letter. This chapter demonstrates the usefulness of the theological theme approach as these texts are collated and examined together—their combined thrust could be easily missed in a sequential verse-by-verse reading.
A Few Questions
I like summaries of theological themes in biblical books. Between an overall view and the detail of exegesis they play an important role in integrating material and focusing attention on emerging themes. This is a (mercifully) short book, but it covers a lot of ground. The New Testament theology series is intended for students, preachers and interested laypeople and this volume hits that mark. It is clearly well researched with footnotes and indexes, but the scholarly apparatus and language is not overbearing.
The use of the term ‘realm’ provoked thought. Ortlund notes he could have used other terms—like new creation, new covenant, new age, new kingdom—to describe the reality he is looking at, but chose ‘new realm’ because this ‘older’ term is least open to misunderstanding (16). That may be so, but he doesn’t explain further and I found myself wondering exactly what this term conveyed.
Occasionally the discussions of various themes veered towards a listing of passages and collating of content, which raised the question of what a theological discussion of a theme is, and whether it ought to push more regularly into synthesis and application. But perhaps the matter of application is the responsibility more of the preacher or Bible study leader after they have benefited from Ortlund’s careful analysis.
All in all, Ministry in the New Realm is an informed and insightful contribution to what looks to be very helpful new series for those who are interested in deepening their understanding of the New Testament.
