The Triumph of Grace

The Apostle Paul’s negative statements about the law have deafened the ears of many to the grace that Moses proclaims in Deuteronomy. Most Christians have a dim view of this book, which they consider to be primarily a book of laws. However, when we read or hear it read orally without prejudice, we discover that rather than casting Moses as a legislator, he appears as Israel’s first pastor, whose congregation has gathered before him to hear him preach his final sermons. Accordingly, Deuteronomy represents prophetic preaching at its finest, as Moses seeks to inspire the people of God to a life of faith and godliness in response to God’s repeated demonstrations of grace. Deuteronomy is a dead book for many, because we have not recognized this gospel; we have heard only law. The essays in this collection arise from a larger project driven by a passion to recover for Christians the life-giving message of the Hebrew Scriptures in general, and to open their ears to God’s amazing grace in Deuteronomy in particular. The wide-ranging ''meditations'' in this volume do not all focus equally on the topic of God’s grace, but this theme undergirds them all.FOR BACK COVER (Delete from Metadata):''Daniel Block, in The Triumph of Grace, demonstrates why he is considered one of the premier Old Testament theologians of this generation. Lucid, thoughtful, engaging, and persuasive, Block brilliantly illuminates for his readers the theme of God’s amazing grace in the Book of Deuteronomy.'' --David S. Dockery, President, Trinity International University   ''What a precious resource this is! There are few who have immersed themselves in ’the gospel according to Moses’ like Dan Block, and fewer still who have matched his scholarship (which is careful and creative in equal measure), warmhearted generosity, and overwhelming desire to live and communicate the gospel in Deuteronomy with integrity and rigor.''--J. Gary Millar, Principal, Queensland Theological College, Brisbane, Australia ''Block shows masterful sensitivity to all levels of the text and to intertextual relationships. He solves interpretive problems and overturns misconceptions while uncovering details of meaning and literary artistry that converge to carry themes of soaring theological significance.''        --Roy E. Gane, Professor of Hebrew Bible and Ancient Near Eastern Languages, Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary, Andrews University ''The most profound and comprehensive collection of Daniel Block’s articles to date, [reflecting] exemplary scholarship marked by sound methodological inquiry, passionate engagement with the text, and a refreshing tone of humility.''-- Rebekah L. Josberger, Associate Professor of Hebrew and Old Testament, Multnomah Biblical Seminary ''Although these studies will not convince everyone, Block has covered immense ground, providing us with much food for thought. I, for one, hope Block continues ’conversing with Moses’ for years to come.''--Brent A. Strawn, Professor of Old Testament, Emory UniversityFOR FRONT MATTER:''Daniel Block, in The Triumph of Grace, demonstrates why he is considered one of the premier Old Testament theologians of this generation. Lucid, thoughtful, engaging, and persuasive, Block brilliantly illuminates for his readers the theme of God’s amazing grace in the Book of Deuteronomy. Scholars, pastors, and laypeople alike will be blessed and helped as they work through this significant volume. It is a joyful privilege to recommend this outstanding work.'' --David S. Dockery, President, Trinity International University  ''By his own testimony, Dan Block has been ’marinating’ in Deuteronomy for over twenty years. This volume completes a trilogy of his essays on this important book. Like the previous books, the present one is--not unlike Deuteronomy itself!--a collection of things old and new, including seven previously unpublished studies that cover Deuteronomy and: education, the book’s genre/