Amy Peeler | Wheaton College (original) (raw)
Papers by Amy Peeler
Bulletin for Biblical Research
The ritual depicted in Exod 24 stands as one of the most unusual in Israel's Scriptures. Mose... more The ritual depicted in Exod 24 stands as one of the most unusual in Israel's Scriptures. Moses tosses sacrificial blood on the entire congregation in the midst of confirming God's covenant with them. Multiple theories have arisen for the possible meaning or function of this striking ritual act. This essay argues for the use of a narrative method to understand this event better in light of the events that precede and follow it. When viewed in the context of Exodus as a whole, the application of the blood on the congregation does serve to seal the covenant and consecrate the people, as others have argued. In light of the use of blood in Israel and other ancient Near Eastern cultures, however, the application of blood also serves to create an expectation and desire for the immediate nearness of God.
O ̀qeo.j lalh,saj evla,lhsen. God after speaking, spoke. The artfully crafted beginning of this l... more O ̀qeo.j lalh,saj evla,lhsen. God after speaking, spoke. The artfully crafted beginning of this letter confirms for us that at least these two things about the Epistle to the Hebrews are certain: it has much to say about God because God has much to say and it is concerned with the art of speaking.1 In the ancient world, the persuasive power of a speech faltered if it rested on logic alone. The speech also had to convince the audience of the reliable and amenable character of the speaker and work to move them in a certain direction. The author of Hebrews, as has been consistently recognized, was no stranger to the conventions of ancient rhetoric. Conseqently, Hebrews presents itself as an excellent specimen for a rhetorical study of its theology proper and does so in two ways. First, like other advocates in the Roman era, at times the author expounds upon the character of the one he represents, in this case, God. At other times, however, the
Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society, 2015
1. Introduction: Codes and Children 2. Small, Silent, but Ever Present: Slave Children in Colossi... more 1. Introduction: Codes and Children 2. Small, Silent, but Ever Present: Slave Children in Colossians 3:18-4:1 3. Socialization and Education: The Nurture, Teaching, and Discipline of Children in Ephesians 5:21-6:4 4. The House Church as Home School: The Christian Assembly and Family in Pastorals 5. Conclusion: How Remembering the Little Ones Changes Things
Bulletin for Biblical Research
Voices from the Edge
Theological identity, for many, provides a powerful social role. These distinct theological locat... more Theological identity, for many, provides a powerful social role. These distinct theological locations proscribe very different places from which to think about the particular woman named Mary, the mother of Jesus. Her story has been a site of great conflict, but this chapter argues it can also provide a mediated space where various theological identities can meet, converse, and act on the social issues informed by her particularities as a poor, pregnant, Jewish woman. This chapter takes up two of the most contested theological questions about her story, her sinlessness and her ministry. New Testament exegesis supports the conclusion that the text allows for different doctrinal decisions on these issues, but prohibits any stance that would so distance her from others so that her calls for justice are ignored in favour of continued oppression against the marginalized. Instead, her story invites honest conversation and common action.
Religions
This study examined Hebrews’ use of gender-exclusive language for the purpose of understanding th... more This study examined Hebrews’ use of gender-exclusive language for the purpose of understanding the author of the Epistle’s perspective on women and their role the religious community. The study used both broader historical research and exegetical analysis to support theological conclusions about Hebrews’ treatment of women. Despite the use of gender-exclusive language, the epistle does not suggest a bias against women. On the contrary, in the author of Hebrews’ hand, gendered language becomes a vehicle for understanding the implications of the gospel message for the Christian community.
The Catholic Biblical Quarterly
International Journal of Systematic Theology
The Journal of Theological Studies, 2016
Review & Expositor
Does the author of Hebrews seek to quell fear or create it? The answer to both seems to be yes. T... more Does the author of Hebrews seek to quell fear or create it? The answer to both seems to be yes. To better understand the argument as a coherent whole, however, readers must seek to understand how he makes these dual moves with fear and why. First, God acts to eliminate fear. Through the death and resurrection of the Son become High Priest, God destroyed the enslaving fear of death. The fear of death has been eliminated, but another more terrifying fear remains: the fear of departing from God. The author of Hebrews views this departure as a possibility, and so, he warns his community about it in the starkest terms possible. Without muting that warning, I want to affirm with equal intensity the answers the author provides to that fear. First, he asks something of them, namely to pay attention, persevere, and run with endurance. Second, he reminds them of the community around them that will aid their endurance. Finally, he focuses on the priesthood of Christ. His one-time sacrifice as ...
Bulletin for Biblical Research
The ritual depicted in Exod 24 stands as one of the most unusual in Israel's Scriptures. Mose... more The ritual depicted in Exod 24 stands as one of the most unusual in Israel's Scriptures. Moses tosses sacrificial blood on the entire congregation in the midst of confirming God's covenant with them. Multiple theories have arisen for the possible meaning or function of this striking ritual act. This essay argues for the use of a narrative method to understand this event better in light of the events that precede and follow it. When viewed in the context of Exodus as a whole, the application of the blood on the congregation does serve to seal the covenant and consecrate the people, as others have argued. In light of the use of blood in Israel and other ancient Near Eastern cultures, however, the application of blood also serves to create an expectation and desire for the immediate nearness of God.
O ̀qeo.j lalh,saj evla,lhsen. God after speaking, spoke. The artfully crafted beginning of this l... more O ̀qeo.j lalh,saj evla,lhsen. God after speaking, spoke. The artfully crafted beginning of this letter confirms for us that at least these two things about the Epistle to the Hebrews are certain: it has much to say about God because God has much to say and it is concerned with the art of speaking.1 In the ancient world, the persuasive power of a speech faltered if it rested on logic alone. The speech also had to convince the audience of the reliable and amenable character of the speaker and work to move them in a certain direction. The author of Hebrews, as has been consistently recognized, was no stranger to the conventions of ancient rhetoric. Conseqently, Hebrews presents itself as an excellent specimen for a rhetorical study of its theology proper and does so in two ways. First, like other advocates in the Roman era, at times the author expounds upon the character of the one he represents, in this case, God. At other times, however, the
Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society, 2015
1. Introduction: Codes and Children 2. Small, Silent, but Ever Present: Slave Children in Colossi... more 1. Introduction: Codes and Children 2. Small, Silent, but Ever Present: Slave Children in Colossians 3:18-4:1 3. Socialization and Education: The Nurture, Teaching, and Discipline of Children in Ephesians 5:21-6:4 4. The House Church as Home School: The Christian Assembly and Family in Pastorals 5. Conclusion: How Remembering the Little Ones Changes Things
Bulletin for Biblical Research
Voices from the Edge
Theological identity, for many, provides a powerful social role. These distinct theological locat... more Theological identity, for many, provides a powerful social role. These distinct theological locations proscribe very different places from which to think about the particular woman named Mary, the mother of Jesus. Her story has been a site of great conflict, but this chapter argues it can also provide a mediated space where various theological identities can meet, converse, and act on the social issues informed by her particularities as a poor, pregnant, Jewish woman. This chapter takes up two of the most contested theological questions about her story, her sinlessness and her ministry. New Testament exegesis supports the conclusion that the text allows for different doctrinal decisions on these issues, but prohibits any stance that would so distance her from others so that her calls for justice are ignored in favour of continued oppression against the marginalized. Instead, her story invites honest conversation and common action.
Religions
This study examined Hebrews’ use of gender-exclusive language for the purpose of understanding th... more This study examined Hebrews’ use of gender-exclusive language for the purpose of understanding the author of the Epistle’s perspective on women and their role the religious community. The study used both broader historical research and exegetical analysis to support theological conclusions about Hebrews’ treatment of women. Despite the use of gender-exclusive language, the epistle does not suggest a bias against women. On the contrary, in the author of Hebrews’ hand, gendered language becomes a vehicle for understanding the implications of the gospel message for the Christian community.
The Catholic Biblical Quarterly
International Journal of Systematic Theology
The Journal of Theological Studies, 2016
Review & Expositor
Does the author of Hebrews seek to quell fear or create it? The answer to both seems to be yes. T... more Does the author of Hebrews seek to quell fear or create it? The answer to both seems to be yes. To better understand the argument as a coherent whole, however, readers must seek to understand how he makes these dual moves with fear and why. First, God acts to eliminate fear. Through the death and resurrection of the Son become High Priest, God destroyed the enslaving fear of death. The fear of death has been eliminated, but another more terrifying fear remains: the fear of departing from God. The author of Hebrews views this departure as a possibility, and so, he warns his community about it in the starkest terms possible. Without muting that warning, I want to affirm with equal intensity the answers the author provides to that fear. First, he asks something of them, namely to pay attention, persevere, and run with endurance. Second, he reminds them of the community around them that will aid their endurance. Finally, he focuses on the priesthood of Christ. His one-time sacrifice as ...