Temple Theology: An Introduction

Temple Theology: An Introduction
By Margaret Barker
Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge, 2004. 104 pgs. Nonfiction

This is a fascinating little book with a very different approach to understanding the nature of temple worship during the period of the first temple in Jerusalem--Solomon's temple. Traditionally, Josiah's reforms are understood as a purging of idolatrous practices. Barker proposes that the reforms represented the death knell of the original (and true) temple worship. The author demonstrates that the early Christians had an understanding of the ancient temple worship that had been corrupted and replaced.

This study presents the ancient temple through the concepts of creation, covenant, atonement, and wisdom. Her association of the creation with the temple and some of her thoughts regarding Melchizedek and the High Priesthood will be of interest to LDS readers. Barker is an independent Biblical scholar and her point of view is guaranteed to sometimes resonate with and sometimes irritate readers.

SML