In "Calling on the Name of the Lord: A Biblical Theology of Prayer", J. Gary Millar accomplishes what he promises, giving a thorough look at what the Bible says about prayer.
What is Biblical Theology? I've heard it used two different ways. I read 9Marks book Bibilcal Theology where the emphasis is on the flow of the Bible's metanarrative (i.e. big picture). When I first heard that phrase, though, I was given the impression it meant looking at how a specific theme is developed within a book and by the author, as opposed to Systematic Theology which focuses on what the Bible as a whole says about the subject. This book takes the latter approach.
Millar focuses on what he considers the first mention of prayer, when people began to call on the name of the Lord. He then goes through each book of Scripture to see how that theme is developed. He uses the Hebrew book order as he works his way through Scripture, focusing on how each Biblical author contributes to the picture of prayer. The author then adds an afterword, analyzing how the contemporary church is doing (or not doing) as far as prayer and making suggestions.
I'll admit that I'm more used to books written for a theologically conservative audience. Millar frequently mentions various discussions on authorship, and more often than not, he points out that the debates have no affect on his thesis. While I consider those issues important, I see Millar's goal is to paint the important issue he's focusing on broad where he keeps his audience large.
His approach can be tiring to read, and Millar's writing style helps keep you focused.
This book is the thirty-eighth volume in the collection New Studies in Biblical Theology. This is the first one I've read of this collection, but it is not going to be the last.
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