Opinion
A Brief Literary & Theological Response to Silverstein’s Article
Silverstein’s article titled, “A Small Correction to Imchen’s article” in today’s publication ofEastern Mirror(December 29, 2016) caught my attention. It is a critique to my article. I am happy he responded to it for he thought it would be good. So, here is a brief literary and theological response to his attempt to correct my treatise. If Robert A. Silverstein were a theologian (excuse me if you are already a theologian or a teacher of the Holy Bible), then he would not have attempted to point out anything in my writing, because the Book of Daniel is read both from a literal and theological sense as well, and the whole Bible is called the “Christian Scriptures” and is correct theologically. We will see here why. Let me briefly respond to him in the following three points. From a literary sense, the Book of Daniel is one of the books of the Hebrew Scriptures, or more popularly called “the Old Testament.”That is what I know, read and teach all the time. If the 66 books of the Holy Bible is read and understood from a Christian canonical and theological lens, then thebook in questionis very much within the “Christian Scriptures” as discussed below in point number two (2).It is so because the Old Testament wholly constitutes “The Promise of God” and the New Testament wholly constitutes the “Fulfilment” of God in Christ, or the New Covenant. What was entirely Jewish (39 books of the OT) was added to the 27 books of the Christian Testament/New Covenant and thus became the “Christian Scriptures” strengthening the larger context of the compositional history of the “Christian Canon.” Some people know it only as the “Old Testament” and “New Testament.”
- The Book of Daniel from a Literary Perspective
In the Christian Canon, “the Book of Daniel” is the twenty-seventh book. It follows Ezekiel and the Major Prophets and is preceded by Hosea and the Minor Prophets. But, very often the phrase “Christian Canon” is alternately used as the “Christian Scriptures.” So, if my friend Robert A. Silverstein knew the theological concepts and their uses, then he would not have found a problem in my last article. I understand the limitations of some people. I only want to correct itifthere is any need for corrections regarding the compositional history of the Christian Canon, which comprises of the 39 books of the Old Testament and 27 books of the New Testament. In this sense, the Book of Daniel is within the larger context of the Christian Scriptures. Hence, there is nothing wrong in the reference “Christian Scriptures,” because the Book of Daniel is read from two lenses. That is, one must know both the literal and theological usage as well.
As a Christian, I always read the Old Testament first from the Hebrew language, because it was written in Hebrew language (some in Aramaic too). The Old Testament is also called the TANAKH, an acronym for the Hebrew Scriptures containing the Torah(“Law”),Nebiim(“prophets”) and the Ketubim(“the Writings”). I love to read Hebrew Bible (Biblia Hebraica Stuttgartensia, BHS) in Hebrew languagefor a correct rendering of the Hebrew words and thought. The Old Testamentread this way provides a deeper knowledge and lucid interpretation of the OT text and the overall message. Daniel is written both in Hebrew and Aramaic (1:1-2:4a in Hebrew; 2:4b-7:28 in Aramaic; 8:1 in Hebrew).I know it this way because of my training and profession, though not a Jew myself. But the Christians and Jews have a strong connection because of Christ. Then only, I use my English and vernacular Bibles for further devotional readings and interpretation. In my reading of the Hebrew Scriptures, the Book of Daniel is found in the Old Testament, which consists of the first testament within the Holy Bible. I also know for 100% sure that the book of Daniel was first received by the Hebrews (“Hebrew/s” is an ancient term; and in modern usage it is “Jew/s”), then the Christiansreceived it after many centuries. Therefore from a literary sense, the Book of Daniel is one of the books within the Hebrew Bible, or more popularly called “the Old Testament.” That is what I know and teach and read all the time. But, one must also not lose sight of the theological understanding of the Holy Bible, consisting of the two testaments.
- The Book of Daniel from a Theological Perspective
If all the 66 books of the Holy Bible are read and understood from a Christian theological lens, then the “Book of Daniel” is very much within “the Christian Scriptures.” The respondent to my article may refer this point in a book for instance, R.W.L. Moberly. Old Testament Theology: Reading the Hebrew Bible as Christian Scripture (2013), for a good understanding of the reason why sometimes the Old Testament books are also referred to as “the Christian Scriptures.” Therefore theologically, this is the ground for justification of the two testaments – “the Old” and “the New Covenant. They are separate but used as one single and inspired book, inspired by the Spirit of God. As a result, the Christian Church sprang from Judaism. Logically, Christianity is the by-product of Judaism. Jesus was a Jew, who founded the new religion called “Christianity,” based on the teachings of “love.” But Jesus also came to this material world to fulfil the law as enshrined in the Old Testament. In other words, the Christian Church is the “New Adam” or the “New Israel.” The Church has the heritage from the old entity called “Israel.” Socially and culturally, the Jews are a separate entity and by the same token, the Christians are altogether a different corporate body. But, there is a strong bond between these two entities. Hence, this is the enduring theological significance and relationship between the Jews and Christians today.
- The Main Focus of my Last Article
The focus of my article (of December 28, 2016) was a modest attempt to lend support to the ACAUT as a mass-based Naga civil body working hard to bring about a change in Naga society, and not so much about the literary history of the Book of Daniel. I took an analogy to the three Jewish heroes as recorded in the Book of Daniel to the three ACAUT leaders. To the Christians all over the world, the Book of Daniel will remain one of the major books in Christian Scriptures or the Holy Bible having profound theological meanings. Also, the focus of my said article – at least for this time – was about fighting the corruption issue in Nagaland and not any other problems. When a writer contributes something to the print media, do not be overtaken by emotions and jump for easy conclusions, because the current issues of the Naga people, particularly corruption is one of the topmost problems that need a healing. If anybody, even a “non-Naga” for that matter, is interested to contribute one’s worth to the burning issues, particularly the issue of “Naga-stagnation” he/she is positively welcome. But one should not try to divert the issue in the board for which it is meant for our discussion, growth and development.
My critic also made a reference to “Holocaust” in his write-up. The Holocaust that took place during the World War II is an emotive issue which touches my heart as a Christian and I wholeheartedly believe that more than 6 million Jews lost their lives mercilessly under the leadership of Adolf Hitler in Germany and many parts of Europe. For many of us educated Nagas, we need no teaching on Holocaust and other heartrending issues faced by the Jews around the world in the past and present. I believe, I along with many Naga Christians espouse the cause of Israel of the Old Testament times and Israel of today. Fortunately, I have a sound knowledge about Holocaust from the books and movies that I read and saw. But more so, I have a Jewish friend from the US city of Princeton in New Jersey (USA). Six years ago, during my Ph.D. research trip to Princeton University and Theological Seminary, one Jewish medical doctor by name Dr. Roger Charles, a holocaust survivor himself and now settled in the United States, narrated his escape from the cruelty and massacre of Nazi regime in the early 1940s as we travelled from Princeton to the US Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington, DC. What we saw in the museum was like “Seeing is Believing!” Our hearts broke and were deeply touched by what we saw inside the museum there. For a positive way forward, we reaffirmed that the conscience of the global community must not further allow any of such atrocities committed by Hitler and his regime. So, here is a lesson to be learnt from the discussion that ensued: if you love and sympathizecertain people, regardless of you as a Naga or non-Naga, be sincere and opinionatedby knowing what you say and write for public consumption. With a Christian and loving heart, I encourage my Naga people to hold on to our Christian faith and objective, which is to discuss and grow, love and hope for the future, Amen!
Dr. S.Temjen Imchen.
He can be contacted at temjenba@gmail.com