George Athas, Beth M. Stovell, Daniel Timmer, and Colin M. Toffelmire, eds. Theodicy and Hope in the Book of the Twelve

Theodicy and Hope in the Book of the Twelve is a collection of essays devoted to a diachronic-synchronic study on the concepts of theodicy and hope in the Twelve Minor Prophets. The biblical books that receive specific treatment for these two themes are Hosea, Joel, Amos, Micah, Nahum (interestingly), and Habakkuk (which garners two essays). Four other essays focus on aspects of these two themes throughout the entirety of the Twelve.Two points are important to note about methodology. First, each author adopts “somewhat different definitions of theodicy” (p. 2). This will be discussed later in this review in more detail. Second, the essays in the book seek to approach the text with a synchronic-diachronic method. These two approaches are not mutually exclusive, and the introductory essay states that each author seeks to “engage these issues inductively, giving attention to diversity of kinds (literary formation, theology, etc.) and integrating it in their treatments of the themes of theodicy and hope” (p. 4).After an introductory essay, two essays deal with theodicy and hope in the Book of the Twelve as a whole from different angles. The first, by Grace Ko, focuses on the two primary themes as they are developed throughout the Book of the Twelve. The second couches the discussion of theology in vocabulary of exile (Anthony R. Petterson). These are followed by essays that focus on the six prophets in their Masoretic order. Two final essays at the end of the book focus on the Book of the Twelve as a whole. Mark J. Boda discusses the greater influence of Assyria than Babylon on the question of theodicy in the Book of the Twelve. This, he argues, is strategic to bridge the gap for a community that is “grappling with the enduring exile of the northern tribes for which Assyria was responsible. With the southern tribes emerging from their Babylonian dystopia, attention turns to their northern compatriots who continue to languish in exile” (p. 224). Finally, George Athas looks at the specific prophecies related to the Davidic kingdom in the Book of the Twelve and its role in deepening the discussion of theodicy and hope, primarily through the image of Zerubbabel.An attempt to summarize everything in these essays will obviously leave some topics unmentioned. However, these essays seek to demonstrate that the final form of the Twelve is dedicated to upholding God’s justice, both against the injustice and violence of the nations as well as addressing the covenant unfaithfulness of Israel. God is vindicated in his judgments of Israel and the nations throughout the Book of the Twelve through the different modes of presentation that each biblical author employs. But God remains committed to the other promises and covenants in the Old Testament as they relate to the people of Israel and the nations, which is their hope. He will restore Israel, the nations, and his Davidic Kingdom in due time. Thus, theodicy and hope are intricately tied together in the Twelve.Initially, the reader may wish for a unified definition of theodicy in the book. However, by allowing for various definitions, the discussion of theodicy in the book of the Twelve accommodates a multidimensional approach to addressing the topic. Thomas points out that there are six different types of theodicies that are options for the biblical authors (p. 96). By not limiting the definition of theodicy to one overarching definition, these other options are available for exploration. For example, regarding Hosea, Kim discusses the familial relationship metaphor that runs throughout (using Thomas’s taxonomy this would be “Communion theodicy”) (p. 109). This is helpful since Hosea, “never explicitly questions YHWH’s goodness or justice” (p. 86), the very essence of theodicy. Hosea is unique in his contribution to the discussion of theodicy. Limiting the definition might cause one to exclude him. Kim’s essay shows why Hosea should be included in the discussion about theodicy.Finally, one essay touches on some particularly polarizing topics that may cause readers to have adverse reactions to the book. Michael H. Floyd’s essay, “The Hope of Habakkuk in the Anthropocene Age,” touches on the pandemic and environmentalism. This is quite jarring when compared to the other essays within the work. Floyd spends almost eight full pages on COVID-19 and the current environmental issues within the Anthropocene age before addressing creation in Habakkuk 3. While there may certainly be room for disagreement with Floyd on these two current issues, they are not completely unrelated ideas to those found in Habakkuk. Floyd ties these themes together so that Habakkuk’s historical situation can offer hope to the present issues (e.g., COVID-19 and environmental issues) to help people who might be, “so demoralized by this dismal prospect that we lose all hope in new possibilities” (p. 211).The essays in this book develop the ideas of theodicy in the Book of the Twelve. They present theodicy using various metaphors and questions to address the character of God in relation to his covenant relationship with the people of Israel. All descriptions of theodicy are designed to be closely tied to the text of the biblical authors and their presentation of theodicy. They show how each prophet vindicates God in his judgment of the people of Israel. Moreover, they connect those judgments with the hope of full restoration of the people of Israel (and the world) under the divine kingship of Yahweh. Perhaps the next-to-the-last sentence of the book is a helpful reminder to us of that same hope: “But since normal political processes brought nothing but disappointment, and the nation’s priestly leaders were not to be trusted, God himself would have to step into history to bring about restoration” (p. 250).