21st century Isaiah bible christian

Watts (2005) points out, the book of Isaiah "works to redefine the terms Israel and Jacob for an age of dispersion and change," (p. 1). The message of faith within a changing world, a world in which political turmoil shapes the destiny of a nation, is one that remains relevant in the 21st century. Isaiah encapsulates the concept of diaspora, showing how a dispersed people can remain a nation via devotion to God. However, the book of Isaiah also lays the foundation of the Christian notion of faith that can bind a people to God and to one another. The theology of Isaiah is a historical, perennial theology that illuminates the importance of history for outlining the way forward through tumultuous times.

A new edition of Isaiah for the children of the 21st century would be a natural extension of Books 1-3. God's plan is to be honored, trusted, revered, and acknowledged even through the intense suffering that characterizes human existence. The first three books of Isaiah present Jerusalem increasingly as a spiritual and symbolic center of worship, a pilgrimage hub, and the seat of God's actual power. In fact, the city of Jerusalem has historically evolved exactly as such. A fourth book of Isaiah would highlight the prophetic power of Isaiah, anchoring the 21st century believers to their forebears.

The first three books of Isaiah show that political turmoil gave rise to the concept of Israel as a nation not defined by geographic boundaries but by faith. Diaspora and dispersion, exile and bondage: these challenges became etched into Jewish identity and helped eventually forge a new covenant with God that would be based on faith. A 21st century edition of Isaiah would continue with the theme of spiritual nationhood trumping a nationhood based on geo-political power, and a new Isaiah would anchor the power of God in Israel. The return of the Jewish people to Jerusalem in the 20th century would be described as a beginning of yet another new age, similar to the potent changes taking place in the historical epochs in which the original Isaiah books were penned.

Christians play a key role in the new world, particularly when viewed through the Isaiah texts. The role of Christians can be viewed as both symbolic and practical, with a theological and political impact. Theologically, Isaiah lays the groundwork for Christian consciousness and identity. The messiah is heralded as having a special relationship with both God and humanity: the "suffering servant" at once represents all of humanity and the singular messiah who willingly assumes God's burdens. The theme of suffering becomes increasingly more relevant as the books of Isaiah progress. As part of God's plan, suffering and humility are essential as if suffering is a means of understanding God.

Spiritual humility becomes increasingly critical as a sign of Christian faith, especially external events may test that faith. Whereas the nation of Israel and the Jewish people are the primary protagonists in Isaiah, a 21st century rendition of the text would feature the modal of Christianity for pointing toward a new relationship between God and humanity. Finally, it is impossible to discuss Isaiah without taking into account historical and political context. Taken sequentially or not, the books of Isaiah reveal a gradual thematic and theological shift that parallels historical events. In the 21st century, an author of a new issue of Isaiah would focus on the gamut of political concerns plaguing humanity, to show that the prevailing issues are similar to those faced by the original readers of Isaiah. For example, the author might point out that trans-national terrorism mirrors the dissolution of the geographically defined nation. Terrorism would then be reframed as part of God's plan to unite the world of believers via a vision of spiritual nationhood based on faith. Jerusalem, interestingly, remains central to the theology of a 21st century Isaiah, as the seat of God's spiritual and practical power.

References

Brueggeman, W., Linafelt, T., (2012). An Introduction to the Old Testament: The Canon and Christian Imagination. Lousiville: Westminster John Knox Press.

Notes taken passim from Watts, J.D. W. (2005). Isaiah 1-33, Revised. Nashville: Thomas Nelson, cxvi - cxxi.