Images of Zion: Biblical Antecedents for the New Jerusalem (review)

Lois K. Fuller Dow's Images of Zion: Biblical Antecedents for the New Jerusalem studies the broad range of biblical theological tradition concerning Jerusalem/Zion, arguing that "the theology of Jerusalem/Zion in the Old Testament informs the content of the phrase 'New Jerusalem' to give a clearer picture of the nature of the final state of the redeemed in Revelation 21-22" (19). She defines her methodology in the introduction, stating that she examines this theme by employing the canonical approach to biblical theology, thus considering only the theology described in the final form of the canonical work and not including any attempts to reconstruct the history of the text.

The author carefully investigates, in chapter 1, the depiction and theology of Jerusalem/Zion in the Old Testament, examining the material in four units: the Pentateuch, the Historical Books, the Psalms, and the Prophets. She demonstrates that the different segments of the Old Testament describe their ideas regarding Jerusalem/ Zion with a certain diversity. In essence, Fuller Dow convincingly argues that the Old Testament portrays Jerusalem/Zion both as it is envisioned ideally, and as it manifests itself in history. It is the place chosen by God, where worship and sacrifice should be offered, where he dwells, is enthroned, and aids his people. The depiction of this ideal Zion in the Psalms, and to a certain extent in the Pentateuch, reflects aspects of the holy mountains of Canaanite lore. She demonstrates that Jerusalem is also an earthly community that the Historical Books describe as disobeying God's law and whose sins, corruption, and punishment the prophets describe. At the same time, Jerusalem/Zion is the subject of eschatological expectations that the prophets portray as realizing the ideal, made possible only through God's act of transforming the human nature of the community.

Of special interest is Fuller Dow's examination of non-canonical Second Temple literature (chapter 2). She analyzes such writings as the Apocrypha, the Old Testament Pseudepigrapha, the Dead Sea Scrolls, and works by Josephus. Such writings testify to ideas concerning Jerusalem that were held among Jews during the New Testament period and most likely familiar to the author of Revelation. She thus considers developments made in Jerusalem/Zion theology in this period, noting such points as the identification of Jerusalem with Eden, envisioning a present heavenly temple in a heavenly city named Jerusalem, being the supreme place to encounter God, and playing a significant role in the eschatological scenarios of this period. This discussion is quite useful in describing the views prevalent in this era and the manner in which theological themes concerning Jerusalem/Zion are developed by Second Temple writers, thus better describing the environment in which the New Testament was written.

Fuller Dow's most insightful analysis is found in her treatment of the theme of Jerusalem/Zion in the New Testament, considering first all New Testament writings apart from Revelation (chapter 3), then the book of Revelation itself (chapter 4). She maintains that the earthly city of Jerusalem forfeits its role as the authentic Jerusalem/Zion by its rejection of Jesus. The Old Testament prophecies regarding the restoration of Zion and the Temple are instead applied to Jesus, the Church, and the heavenly Jerusalem (chapter 3). In her analysis of Revelation, the author contends that the New Jerusalem serves as the replacement for heaven and earth, as well as being both God's dwelling place and the location of the human community. She quite convincingly argues that Revelation combines such ideas as the identification of Jerusalem with Eden and those passages that portray Zion's glorious future to describe the final state of God's people as being a place of peace, harmony with the rest of creation, fellowship with the saints of every age, and intimacy with God. She concludes the book by discussing theological aspects of the final state of the saints that may be gathered...