Richard M. Davidson
Encyclopedia
Richard M. Davidson is an Old Testament
scholar and Seventh-day Adventist. He has authored dozens of articles for theological journals. As of 2009, he is the chair of the Old Testament department at Andrews University
, and the J. N. Andrews Professor of Old Testament Exegesis.
He is married to JoAnn Davidson.
, commencing from 1994.
. The title is derived from the Bible
verse Song of . He has been studying the topic of sexuality since the early 1980s.
The scope is very board, covering a broad range of topics, including an exhaustive study of the Hebrew Bible
(Old Testament
), and comparing with perspectives from surrounding cultures of the time (the Ancient Near East
).
According to one reviewer, "From the structural point of view, the book forms a literary envelope. Davidson begins with the theology of sexuality depicted in the narrative of the Garden of Eden
and closes the book with the restoration of that theology in the book of Song of Solomon
. There we again find a couple deeply in love in the setting of a garden."
Two reviews appear in Andrews University Seminary Studies
in 2008; by David Instone-Brewer and Andre Claris Lombart. Both are generally positive, as Davidson affirms in a response. Ángel Rodríguez
wrote, "This book is highly recommended to professors, pastors, family ministries personnel, and those interested in human sexuality." He does question evidence that Solomon's bride was a committed believer in the Lord. Also, he did not see any of discussion of circumcision
, which arguably had sexual overtones. Grenville Kent
writes "Davidson is to be commended for an OT biblical theology of sexuality which is fearless, deep and comprehensive – almost encyclopaedic."
Other reviewers include Anselm C. Hagedorn, C. Amos, J. Harold Ellens
, Yael Klangswisan, Dale Launderville, Harvey E. Solganick, Nicholas T. Batzig, Jennifer L. Koosed, Heather Macumber, and James D. Lorenz. Additional reviews appear on the publisher's webpage.
Old Testament
The Old Testament, of which Christians hold different views, is a Christian term for the religious writings of ancient Israel held sacred and inspired by Christians which overlaps with the 24-book canon of the Masoretic Text of Judaism...
scholar and Seventh-day Adventist. He has authored dozens of articles for theological journals. As of 2009, he is the chair of the Old Testament department at Andrews University
Andrews University
Andrews University is a Seventh-day Adventist university in Berrien Springs, Michigan, United States. Founded in 1874 as Battle Creek College in Battle Creek, Michigan, it was the first higher education facility started by Seventh-day Adventists, and is the flagship university of the Seventh-day...
, and the J. N. Andrews Professor of Old Testament Exegesis.
He is married to JoAnn Davidson.
Biography
Davidson is a former president of the Adventist Theological SocietyAdventist Theological Society
The Adventist Theological Society is an international nonprofit organization of Seventh-day Adventist scholars and lay-people. The society holds its annual meeting in connection with the Evangelical Theological Society. It describes its theology as "balanced and conservative Adventist theology"...
, commencing from 1994.
Flame of Yahweh
Davidson published Flame of Yahweh: A Theology of Sexuality in the Old Testament in 2007, apparently his magnum opusMasterpiece
Masterpiece in modern usage refers to a creation that has been given much critical praise, especially one that is considered the greatest work of a person's career or to a work of outstanding creativity, skill or workmanship....
. The title is derived from the Bible
Bible
The Bible refers to any one of the collections of the primary religious texts of Judaism and Christianity. There is no common version of the Bible, as the individual books , their contents and their order vary among denominations...
verse Song of . He has been studying the topic of sexuality since the early 1980s.
The scope is very board, covering a broad range of topics, including an exhaustive study of the Hebrew Bible
Hebrew Bible
The Hebrew Bible is a term used by biblical scholars outside of Judaism to refer to the Tanakh , a canonical collection of Jewish texts, and the common textual antecedent of the several canonical editions of the Christian Old Testament...
(Old Testament
Old Testament
The Old Testament, of which Christians hold different views, is a Christian term for the religious writings of ancient Israel held sacred and inspired by Christians which overlaps with the 24-book canon of the Masoretic Text of Judaism...
), and comparing with perspectives from surrounding cultures of the time (the Ancient Near East
Ancient Near East
The ancient Near East was the home of early civilizations within a region roughly corresponding to the modern Middle East: Mesopotamia , ancient Egypt, ancient Iran The ancient Near East was the home of early civilizations within a region roughly corresponding to the modern Middle East: Mesopotamia...
).
According to one reviewer, "From the structural point of view, the book forms a literary envelope. Davidson begins with the theology of sexuality depicted in the narrative of the Garden of Eden
Garden of Eden
The Garden of Eden is in the Bible's Book of Genesis as being the place where the first man, Adam, and his wife, Eve, lived after they were created by God. Literally, the Bible speaks about a garden in Eden...
and closes the book with the restoration of that theology in the book of Song of Solomon
Song of Solomon
The Song of Songs of Solomon, commonly referred to as Song of Songs or Song of Solomon, is a book of the Hebrew Bible—one of the megillot —found in the last section of the Tanakh, known as the Ketuvim...
. There we again find a couple deeply in love in the setting of a garden."
Two reviews appear in Andrews University Seminary Studies
Andrews University Seminary Studies
Andrews University Seminary Studies is a refereed scholarly Christian journal published by the Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary at Andrews University. It is issued twice a year from Berrien Springs, MI. The journal was founded in 1963 and currently has a circulation of 600 copies...
in 2008; by David Instone-Brewer and Andre Claris Lombart. Both are generally positive, as Davidson affirms in a response. Ángel Rodríguez
Ángel Manuel Rodríguez
Ángel Manuel Rodríguez is a Seventh-day Adventist theologian and director of the Biblical Research Institute . His special research interests include Old Testament, Sanctuary and Atonement, and Old Testament Theology...
wrote, "This book is highly recommended to professors, pastors, family ministries personnel, and those interested in human sexuality." He does question evidence that Solomon's bride was a committed believer in the Lord. Also, he did not see any of discussion of circumcision
Circumcision
Male circumcision is the surgical removal of some or all of the foreskin from the penis. The word "circumcision" comes from Latin and ....
, which arguably had sexual overtones. Grenville Kent
Grenville Kent
Grenville J. R. Kent is an Australian academic, film producer, author, and Christian communicator. He is the producer of Big Questions, a forthcoming documentary series examining faith, and the "10 Questions for God" series of booklets...
writes "Davidson is to be commended for an OT biblical theology of sexuality which is fearless, deep and comprehensive – almost encyclopaedic."
Other reviewers include Anselm C. Hagedorn, C. Amos, J. Harold Ellens
J. Harold Ellens
J. Harold Ellens is a psychologist and theologian. He was the founding editor of the Journal of Psychology and Christianity, and was Executive Director of the Christian Association for Psychological Studies International from 1974 to 1989.- Education:Ellens has received multiple educational...
, Yael Klangswisan, Dale Launderville, Harvey E. Solganick, Nicholas T. Batzig, Jennifer L. Koosed, Heather Macumber, and James D. Lorenz. Additional reviews appear on the publisher's webpage.
External links
- Staff webpage at Andrews University
- Articles by Davidson and about Davidson as cataloged in the Seventh-day Adventist Periodical Index (SDAPI)