The Tree of Life in the Garden of Eden and the New Jerusalem

The Tree of Life is an important motif in Scripture,
appearing first in the Garden of Eden and
reappearing in the New Jerusalem. A careful study
of the exegesis and theological application of the
Tree of Life provides important insights into the
hermeneutical presuppositions and process of a
theologian. Mr. Shelley has here compiled a
critical study of the two great bookends of Western
theology: Augustine and Karl Barth. By comparing
the treatment of the Tree of Life by these two great
theologians, Mr. Shelley has highlighted Augustine s
four senses of Scripture and his Creation-Fall-
Redemption-Consummation narrative structure,
contrasting this sharply to Barth s six motifs of
theology and his Fall-Creation-Redemption narrative
structure. The implications of these differing
approaches is explored in the doctrines of
anthropology, ecclesiology, soteriology, revelation,
and Creation.

Autorentext
Jonathan Shelley earned a master s degree in systematic
theology at Grand Rapids Theological Seminary and did additional
graduate studies in philosophical theology at Calvin Theological
Seminary. He has written articles on American ecclesiology,
theodicy, and the ethics of the emerging church movement.

Klappentext
The Tree of Life is an important motif in Scripture, appearing first in the Garden of Eden and reappearing in the New Jerusalem. A careful study of the exegesis and theological application of the Tree of Life provides important insights into the hermeneutical presuppositions and process of a theologian. Mr. Shelley has here compiled a critical study of the two great bookends of Western theology: Augustine and Karl Barth. By comparing the treatment of the Tree of Life by these two great theologians, Mr. Shelley has highlighted Augustine's four senses of Scripture and his Creation-Fall- Redemption-Consummation narrative structure, contrasting this sharply to Barth's six motifs of theology and his Fall-Creation-Redemption narrative structure. The implications of these differing approaches is explored in the doctrines of anthropology, ecclesiology, soteriology, revelation, and Creation.