Faithfulness and Restoration

The books of Ezra and Nehemiah are rarely taken seriously in Christian theological reflection. To many modern readers, the community restored after the Babylonian exile appears diminished, legalistic, and xenophobic. What place do these books have in theology and practice today? Timothy Escott charts a way forward for reading Ezra-Nehemiah fruitfully as Christian Scripture. By locating Ezra-Nehemiah in the context of the canon and Christian theology, and in conversation with interpreters old and new, he argues that these books are best understood through a variety of Christian reading strategies. Approaching the books figurally, prophetically, ethically, and as part of a biblical story offers a mix of distinctive yet complementary perspectives. Ezra-Nehemiah portrays God's restorative work and God's people seeking to participate with him and live faithfully in the face of opposition and difficulty. In this way, Ezra-Nehemiah is a rich resource for Christian life and faith today.