Theophany: A Biblical Theology of God's Appearing

by Vern S. Poythress

Overview

Each time God appears to his people throughout the Bible—in the form of a thunderstorm, a man, a warrior, a chariot, and so on—he comes to a specific person for a specific purpose. And each of these temporary appearances—known as theophanies—helps us to better understand who he is and anticipates his climactic, permanent self-revelation in the incarnation of Christ. Exploring the various accounts of God’s visible presence from Genesis to Revelation, theologian Vern S. Poythress helps us to consider more deeply what they reveal about who God is and how he dwells with us today.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781629955285
Publisher:	Presbyterian and Reformed Publishing
Publication date:	05/25/2022
Pages:	464
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x (d)

About the Author

Vern S. Poythress (MLitt, University of Cambridge; PhD, Harvard University; DTh, University of Stellenbosch, South Africa) is distinguished professor of New Testament, biblical interpretation, and systematic theology at Westminster Theological Seminary in Philadelphia. He has authored books on a wide range of topics; his notable works include Symphonic Theology, Theophany, and The Mystery of the Trinity.

Table of Contents

Tables and Illustrations 13

Part I The Biblical Theme of God's Appearing

1 God's Coming 17

2 God's Appearing with a Thunderstorm 33

3 Appearing in Fire 41

4 Appearing in a Cloud 47

5 Appearing in Glory 53

6 Appearances of God's Court 59

7 Appearances of a Man 65

8 Appearing as a Warrior 73

9 Appearing with a Chariot 79

10 Other Appearances 83

11 Appearing in the Created World 85

Part II The Mystery of God's Appearing

12 Knowing God 99

13 Relation of Kinds of Appearances 107

14 Reflecting God 111

15 Reflecting God in Human Appearance 117

16 Reflections and the Spirit 123

17 Reflections and the Trinity 129

18 Reflections of God in the Book of Revelation 137

19 Reflections of God in Structures in Revelation 145

20 Patterns of Multiple Reflections 155

21 Reflections of God in Creation 167

22 A Pattern of Reflections in Clothing 173

23 The Dynamics in Reflections of God 177

24 Responding to God's Presence 187

Part III A History of God's Appearing: The Old Testament

25 Universal Presence of God in History 199

26 God's Presence in Creating the World (Day One) 203

27 God's Presence in Creating the World (Days Two-Six) 213

28 God's Appearing on the Seventh Day 221

29 God's Appearing in the Creation of Man (Genesis 2:4-25) 225

30 God's Appearing in the Fall (Genesis 3:1-24) 231

31 God's Appearing in Two Lines of Offspring 239

32 God's Appearing in the Flood 247

33 God's Appearing at Babel 251

34 God's Appearing to Abraham 255

35 God's Appearing to the Patriarchs 261

36 God's Appearing in the Exodus 271

37 God's Appearing in Conquering the Land 283

38 God's Appearing during the Monarchy 291

39 God's Appearing in the Prophets: Isaiah 305

40 God's Appearing in the Prophets: Jeremiah and Others 323

41 God's Appearing in the Poetical Books: Job 343

42 God's Appearing in the Psalms 349

43 God's Appearing in the Solomonic Books 369

44 God's Appearing in Postexilic History (Ezra-Esther) 375

Part IV A History of God's Appearing: The New Testament

45 God's Appearing in the Earthly Life of Christ (Gospels) 381

46 God's Appearing in Acts 389

47 God's Appearing in the Letters of the New Testament 397

48 God's Appearing in Revelation 409

Conclusion 413

Appendices

Appendix A "The Angel of the Lord" 417

Appendix B A Theophany in Genesis 1:2? 425

Appendix C Understanding Genesis 3:8 429

Bibliography 433

General Index 437

Scripture Index 451

What People are Saying About This

From the Publisher

“Dr. Poythress’s book walks the reader through a gallery of God’s manifold glory. This volume invites the reader to stop and consider all of the different portraits of God’s personal presence in the whole canon of Scripture. Those who look in faith will be rewarded and encouraged in their walk with Christ.”
—David Wenkel, Adjunct Faculty, Trinity Evangelical Divinity School; author, Shining Like the Sun: A Biblical Theology of Meeting God Face to Face

“This work is broader than any I have seen in its coverage of the biblical theology of theophany. I appreciate the many explanations of how each Old Testament aspect of theophany is fulfilled in Christ. The many chapters provide a spiritually uplifting study that is well organized and carefully written in terms any layman can understand, but also stimulating for advanced students.”
—James A. Borland, Professor Emeritus of New Testament and Theology, Liberty University

“Poythress is a master at pulling together various strands of Scripture and showing their coherence. This book on the multifaceted aspects of God’s presence is no exception. Theophany fills a real void in evangelical theology—informative for the scholar but accessible to the layman. Students often ask me about the various senses of God’s presence discussed in Scripture, and I typically give a vague answer. But now, after reading Poythress, my answers will be much more informed; and I have a first-class resource to share with my students.”
—Robert J. Cara, Provost, Chief Academic Officer, and Hugh and Sallie Reaves Professor of New Testament, Reformed Theological Seminary; author, Cracking the Foundation of the New Perspective on Paul; contributor, A Biblical-Theological Introduction to the New Testament

“In biblical times, God appeared visibly to people in many different ways, and divinely inspired authors reflected on his appearances throughout the Scriptures. Yet the modern Christian experience is so different that we are often left wondering what significance biblical appearances of God have for us today. Poythress explores this theme within its ancient historical context and explains how Christ fulfills its significance in himself and in his followers’ lives. Poythress’s discussions are rooted in sound biblical scholarship, but clearly express how this facet of Scripture should enhance every Christian’s daily service to God.”
—Richard L. Pratt Jr., Cofounder and President, Third Millennium Ministries

“Vern Poythress’s Theophany is a theologically rich, spiritually edifying exploration of all that the Bible says about an awe-striking reality that fills the pages of Scripture: our infinite, personal Creator ‘who dwells in unapproachable light, whom no one has ever seen or can see’ delights to make himself known through the senses he has given us, the universe he made and sustains, and his redemptive deeds in history, culminating in Jesus Christ. This biblical theology of God’s appearing will expand your thoughts and nourish your heart.”
—Dennis E. Johnson, Professor Emeritus of Practical Theology, Westminster Seminary California; author, Him We Proclaim; Walking with Jesus through His Word; and Journeys with Jesus

Editorial Reviews

Dr. Poythress’s book walks the reader through a gallery of God’s manifold glory. This volume invites the reader to stop and consider all of the different portraits of God’s personal presence in the whole canon of Scripture. Those who look in faith will be rewarded and encouraged in their walk with Christ.

David Wenkel

This work is broader than any I have seen in its coverage of the biblical theology of theophany. I appreciate the many explanations of how each Old Testament aspect of theophany is fulfilled in Christ. The many chapters provide a spiritually uplifting study that is well organized and carefully written in terms any layman can understand, but also stimulating for advanced students.

James A. Borland

In biblical times, God appeared visibly to people in many different ways, and divinely inspired authors reflected on his appearances throughout the Scriptures. Yet the modern Christian experience is so different that we are often left wondering what significance biblical appearances of God have for us today. Poythress explores this theme within its ancient historical context and explains how Christ fulfills its significance in himself and in his followers’ lives. Poythress’s discussions are rooted in sound biblical scholarship but clearly express how this facet of Scripture should enhance every Christian’s daily service to God.

Richard L. Pratt Jr.

Poythress is a master at pulling together various strands of Scripture and showing their coherence. This book on the multifaceted aspects of God’s presence is no exception. Theophany fills a real void in evangelical theology—informative for the scholar but accessible to the layman. Students often ask me about the various senses of God’s presence discussed in Scripture, and I typically give a vague answer. But now, after reading Poythress, my answers will be much more informed; and I have a first-class resource to share with my students.

Robert J. Cara

Vern Poythress’s Theophany is a theologically rich, spiritually edifying exploration of all that the Bible says about an awe-striking reality that fills the pages of Scripture: our infinite, personal Creator “who dwells in unapproachable light, whom no one has ever seen or can see” delights to make himself known through the senses he has given us, the universe he made and sustains, and his redemptive deeds in history, culminating in Jesus Christ. This biblical theology of God’s appearing will expand your thoughts and nourish your heart.

Dennis E. Johnson