Selected Christian Perspectives

Read selections linked to each question.

(1) How does Romans 8:31-39, esp. v. 32, relate to Genesis 22? What is the importance of this comparison? How does God “not sparing” his son in Romans 8:32 relate to 3:21-26? Does John 3:16 relate to Gen 22 in a similar manner? If so, how?

(2) What is the function of Abraham’s near sacrifice of Isaac in Hebrews 11:17-19? James 2:18-26?

(3) Who is John Calvin? What are some of John Calvin’s distinctively Christian interpretations of Genesis 22:2?

(4) Who is Gerhard von Rad? How does von Rad make allusion to the Old and New Testaments of the Christian Bible in such a way to promote a Christian interpretation of Genesis 22 in his commentary on Genesis?