Karl Deenick traces circumcision through the whole canon, filling a surprising gap in biblical theology and bearing directly on covenant and baptism. Read more.
Given the foundational importance of circumcision in the Old Testament and its prevalence in numerous New Testament debates, it is surprising how little detailed work has been done on establishing a biblical theology of circumcision. Karl Deenick takes up the task, following the sign from Genesis 17 through the Law and the Prophets to Paul's arguments in Romans, Galatians, Philippians and Colossians.
His conclusion is that circumcision pointed from the beginning to righteousness received by promise through faith, and to the perfect offspring of Abraham in whom the promise would be fulfilled. The argument bears directly on covenant theology and on the debate over baptism, and Deenick draws those implications out explicitly. Part of the New Studies in Biblical Theology series.
