Messianism within the book of Isaiah as a whole

grantor: University of St. Michael's CollegeMy completed dissertation, Messianism within the Book of Isaiah as a Whole, reexamines the traditional messianic texts in Isaiah used by later Judaism and/or Christianity. Older modern historical criticisms tended to focus on the historical origins of Israelite traditions so that most of the texts traditionally regarded as messianic came to be understood as non-messianic. However, I have used various historical-critical methods and other contextual methodologies to show how smaller units of non-messianic tradition in the prehistory of the book gained a new messianic significance when they became part of the book of Isaiah as a whole. From that perspective, I have made an argument for some messianic promises within the book of Isaiah showing that within the book's “scriptural context,” the texts themselves provide a warrant for messianic readings. This study takes into account the important similarities and differences in Jewish and Christian perceptions of the same.Ph.D