Wisdom in Theology

In this book respected Old Testament scholar Ronald Clements explores and elucidates a much-debated subject--the place and significance of the Old Testament wisdom writings in Jewish and Christian theology. Based on the Didsbury Lectures delivered by Clements at British Isles Nazarene College in October 1989, 'Wisdom in Theology' first looks at the wisdom tradition in terms of its ancient Near Eastern background, it distinctiveness in Israelite life, and its historical development. Clements then discusses major wisdom themes under various headings: (1) wisdom and the world, (2) wisdom and health, (3) wisdom and politics, (4) wisdom and the household, and (5) wisdom and the divine realm. In explicating the unique role of the wisdom tradition, particularly in post-exilic Israel, Clements shows how wisdom, as opposed to the torah and prophecy, provided the Jews of the dispersion with the basis for a new, noncultic, universalistic worldview. Clements's scholarly discussion demonstrates to modern readers how much is yet to be learned regarding the inheritance of wisdom from the ancient world. R. E. Clements is Samuel Davidson Professor of Old Testament Studies at King's College, London. His many books include 'Old Testament Prophecy,' 'Studies in the Book of Isaiah,' and 'Wisdom for a Changing World.'