S. D. Ellison - Academia.edu (original) (raw)

Peer-Reviewed Articles by S. D. Ellison

Old Testament Essays, 2024

Psalm 89 is a study in complexity. Debate ensues concerning its unity, structure, genre and histo... more Psalm 89 is a study in complexity. Debate ensues concerning its unity, structure, genre and historical setting. Its literary setting causes disagreement, which is not helped by the pivotal role it plays in understanding the shape of the Psalter. Most disorientating, however, is the contradictory emotions—exultant praise gives way to deep lament. The questions raised by these contradictory emotions remain unanswered. In this article, it is suggested that Ps 89 is best understood as having messianic significance. The case is made by noting that the psalm employs theological themes which culminate in the messiah, is heavily based on 2 Sam 7, fails to resolve, holds an important position in the Psalter’s shape and clearly contributes to the development of messianic hope in its early interpretation. The messianic significance of Ps 89, I contend, is found in its singing the steadfast love and faithfulness of YHWH despite the bleak circumstances to which it alludes.

Themelios, 2024

The canonical shape of the Psalter has enjoyed concentrated attention in the academe for more tha... more The canonical shape of the Psalter has enjoyed concentrated attention in the academe for more than four decades. While scholars have agreed on the effort, they have not always agreed on the results. The message of the Psalter, when considered canonically, remains debated. This article distils some of the key pieces of evidence that the Psalter bears traces of editorial activity-thus suggesting it is a purposefully ordered collection-and then proposes a reading of the Psalter that fits this evidence. Some theological implications connected to such a reading are noted throughout. The hope is that this article might elicit renewed vigour in the task of reading the Psalter as a book.

Semănătorul (The Sower), 2023

This article explores the shape of kingship in ancient Israel with reference to the Pentateuch an... more This article explores the shape of kingship in ancient Israel with reference to the Pentateuch and particularly Deuteronomy 17:14-20. It demonstrates that Israel's kingship is distinctive from that of the surrounding nations. The distinctive nature is linked, in the first place, to the creation of the nation and, secondly, to the stipulations for kings contained in Deuteronomy 17. It concludes that although there is some similarity between kingship in Israel and the surrounding nations, at root kingship in Israel is fundamentally distinctive. Whereas in the ancient Near East the king was god, in Israel God was king.

The Round Tower Review, 2022

https://theroundtowerreview.wordpress.com/2022/12/27/david-ellison/

Irish Baptist Historical Society Journal, 2022

In this article Ellison marks 130 years of the Irish Baptist College. The Irish Baptist College w... more In this article Ellison marks 130 years of the Irish Baptist College. The Irish Baptist College was founded on 4 October 1892 in No. 16 Harcourt Street in Dublin under the oversight of Hugh D. Brown. The history proceeds through 70 years of life in Dublin, the move to Belfast in 1964 and then to Moira in 2003. The record of the many changes over the years, the spiritual qualities of the tutors, the high standards of teaching, the numbers of graduates of the College who have carried the gospel throughout the world is both informative and inspiring and it is with gratitude to God that the College, after 130 years, maintains the vision “Magnifying Christ, Advancing the Gospel and Strengthening the Church.”

Midwestern Journal of Theology, 2022

Semanatorul: The Journal of Ministry and Biblical Research, 2021

The quest to identify Isaiah’s servant as presented in the so-called ‘Servant Songs’ has long pla... more The quest to identify Isaiah’s servant as presented in the so-called ‘Servant Songs’ has long plagued students of Isaiah. By outlining the prevailing interpretations and noting the use of the so-called ‘Servant Songs’ in the NT the present article offers a possible resolution to the quest. A Christian canonical reading of Isaiah’s ‘Servant Songs’ provides a compelling case for identifying Isaiah’s servant as Jesus Christ.

Themelios, 2021

Scholarly discussions concerning the nature of OT hope are arguably most passionate and divisive ... more Scholarly discussions concerning the nature of OT hope are arguably most passionate and divisive when the figure of the anointed one (often designated the M/messiah) is in view. This article suggests that the Psalter may offer a profitable avenue in which to reconsider the debate, and employs Psalm 2 as an example. By considering its placement in the Psalter, content, and use in the NT it is concluded that Psalm 2 is a signpost to the future hope of a coming Davidic king. In this way, we learn, the Christian Scriptures document, unfold, and realise OT hope.

Dissertations by S. D. Ellison

The front matter of my 2021 PhD dissertation.

Unpublished MTh dissertation awarded a distinction in 2016. The work endeavours to identifying th... more Unpublished MTh dissertation awarded a distinction in 2016. The work endeavours to identifying the LORD's anointed in Psalms 2, 89 and 110 by examining their setting in the Psalter and their use in the NT.

Book Reviews by S. D. Ellison

Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society, 2024

Books (Popular) by S. D. Ellison

A short and accessible survey of resurrection in the Old Testament.

A popular title exploring Reformation theology through the Five Solas. The distinctive of this ti... more A popular title exploring Reformation theology through the Five Solas. The distinctive of this title is its attempt to read the solas out of biblical passages, as opposed to employing proof-texts.