Jesus: The Incarnation of the Word in The New Books Network Podcast with Michael Morales (July 2021)

REVIEWS OF JESUS: THE INCARNATION OF THE WORD

David Mitchell’s Jesus: The Incarnation of the Word is a fascinating read. While its title seemingly rehearses well-trodden paths that need no further attention, that presumption could not be more misguided. The author is deeply conversant in the Hebrew Bible, Septuagint, Second Temple Jewish literature, Rabbinic writings, and early Christian and Patristic texts. All are brought into service to offer intriguing solutions to various difficulties arising from the Davidic (and priestly!) genealogies of Joseph and Mary and the relationship of Jesus to Melchizedek and the Angel of the Lord. Readers will find this a rewarding study.

Michael S. Heiser, PhD (Hebrew Studies, Wisconsin)
Bestselling author of The Unseen Realm
Executive Director and Professor, Awakening School of Theology

Jesus: The Incarnation of the Word brings readers on an eye-opening journey through Old and New Testament texts, genealogies, and extra-biblical sources ancient and modern to probe the core question distinguishing Christianity from other faiths: is Jesus God in the flesh? With meticulous attention to detail, David C. Mitchell applies his exegetical acumen and extensive expertise in second temple and Rabbinic literature to uncover the remarkable breadth of the Bible’s testimony about the Messiah and its long history of discussion. Erudite, witty, and eminently readable, this volume will enlighten, challenge, and inspire as it reveals how deep and wide are the Bible’s messianic promises fulfilled in Jesus of Nazareth.

Dr Adam D. Hensley, Australian Lutheran College, University of Divinity
Author of Covenant Relationships and the Editing of the Hebrew Psalter

AMAZON REVIEWS

Mind blown
I’ll keep this review short and sweet this book is packed with gems and nuggets that are hidden right under noses in the text. So many dots connected, and many more illuminating insights that I didn’t even realize were there. If you desire a high Christology don’t hesitate to get this book. Matt.

Stimulating!
A new David Mitchell book is an event. His work, including the eschatology of the Psalms and the concept of Messiah Ben Joseph, has been paradigm-shifting for me.
    Jesus: The Incarnation of the Word did not disappoint. It is full of the profound and provocative insights that I have come to expect from Mitchell.
    This is a companion book to Mitchell’s Messiah Ben Joseph, but can be read independently. In Jesus: The Incarnation of the Word, Mitchell considers ancient beliefs around a priestly, Levitical, and heavenly and incarnate messiah. In doing so, he touches on a wide range of topics like Melchizedek, the Angel of the LORD, the priestly and royal genealogies of Mary and Joseph, Jesus’ self-conception, and the name of Jesus himself.
    My favorite authors are creative thinkers. Why simply read what you already know or already think? This is not to say that Mitchell’s views are unsubstantiated or overly niche. Far from it. In fact, he offers substantial support for his claims, revealing a deep and broad familiarity with primary sources (the Old and New Testaments, their ancient translations, and early Jewish and Christian writings). Mitchell often reveals where modern scholars—and those who unwittingly repeat their claims—have not taken these primary sources seriously enough.
    My favorite sections were his thorough and fresh exegesis on Psalm 110—which proves the messianic heavenly view is the oldest and best—and his careful tracing of Joseph and Mary’s lineages. These sections on the genealogies are fascinating and reveal just how many incorrect assumptions people have inherited.
    If you read Jesus: The Incarnation of the Word, you will encounter a treasure trove that inspires awe in Jesus and a fresh appreciation for the Bible.
Lindsay Kennedy

An awe-inspiring, cogent journey through the mystery of the incarnation!
This book by David C. Mitchell delivers potent, powerful, and rare insight on the incarnation of God in the person of Jesus, whose goings forth are from everlasting.
This book is worth its weight in gold for the insights into Psalm 110 alone, but the same could also be said of the presentation of Melchizedek, the underlying paternity dialogue with the Pharisees in John 8, the genetic lines of the descent of Jesus, and so, so much more. 
I cannot encourage you enough to read the book from cover to cover, not only to follow his line of thinking, but also to experience the artistry of his arguments and beauty of the story. I took Mitchell’s encouragement in the Preface to read “in first gear” slowly and carefully because of my unfamiliarity with biblical languages. I suppose it worked, as tears of wonder streamed from my eyes while reading the chapters on genealogy, yes, tears from genealogy. 
Like his other brilliant books and writings, Mitchell has offered a sign and wonder among the nations with irresistible wisdom and the seal of the Spirit like Stephen of old concerning the glory of God who appeared to Abraham. 
It is no wonder why Mitchell is a musicologist and director of music, for what is left, but to worship at His footstool at the wonder of the fruit of David’s womb (Ps.132).
Matt Candler

Best book on the Genealogy of Jesus
If you have ever wondered about the lineage and genealogy of Jesus in Matthew and Luke, this is the best book on the topic. I’ve started reading everything David C. Mitchell has written after hearing him on Michael Heiser’s Naked Bible Podcast. Fantastic scholar!
Anonymous reviewer, Amazon.com.

Compelling reading, both informational and inspirational
Jesus, The Incarnation of the Word is both informational and inspirational. David Mitchell answers some questions that have been unanswered at least for me since my seminary days about the incarnation, and at the same time gives assurance of the reality of the incarnation. The book is very well organized and the writing clear and coherent so that it makes reading comprehension and retention of the information much easier. I would even recommend this book to someone who is not a scholar in Biblical languages, but also the scholar will find this book very compelling in my opinion.
Anonymous.

Een zeer toegankelijk boek met veel diepgang!
Wat een geweldig boek! Vooral David Mitchell’s behandeling van Psalm 110 en gedetailleerde verhandeling over de genealogieën van Jesus is zeer interessant. De schrijver gebruikt een rijke schakering aan bronnen, maar houdt zijn betoog overzichtelijk. Een zeer coherent verhaal. Ik heb dit boek met veel plezier gelezen. Een toegankelijk boek met veel diepgang. Warm aanbevolen!
Paul Vrolijk, Holy Trinity Brussels.

(A very accessible book with a lot of depth!)
What a great book! Above all, David Mitchell’s treatment of Psalm 110 and detailed treatise on the genealogies of Jesus is very interesting. The author uses a rich variety of sources, but keeps his argument clear. A very coherent story. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. An accessible book with a lot of depth. Warmly recommended!)

Scholarly academics presented in understandable form
David Mitchell has a doctorate in Hebrew bible from Edinburgh University, a masters in Biblical interpretation from the London School of Theology, a degree in literature and he is a “pastoral musician”, (his description of his job title).
Actually he is the Director of Music for the Holy Trinity Brussels Cathedral.
He has studied the Psalms thoroughly and his books are excellent. They are a modification of many years of work which he has presented in “lay person” form. If you purchased the original dissertations from scholarly journals it would be very expensive. He has put this in a paperback to make it accessible to everyone. Truly a labor of love for the Psalms and the church.
David M. Gustafson, Seattle USA

GOODREADS.COM REVIEWS

I love this book. Mitchell has obviously put an awful lot of thought and work into it. He argues that Melchizedek was Jesus pre-Bethlehem. He’s not the first person to say this, but I’ve never seen it argued in such detail or so well. He gives a very detailed explanation of the divergent genealogies of Matthew and Luke, showing how they are both necessary to bypass the prophets’ curses on Josiah’s sons. There is also a lot of fascinating stuff on Mary’s genealogy and background. And the two big chapters on the interpretation of Psalm 110 are amazing.
The back cover says that this work on Jesus as the Priestly Messiah is a “sibling” work for the author’s Messiah ben Joseph. I suppose it is. But there’s a lot more to it as well. And, just in places, he has a wonderful dry sense of humour.
Top marks. Nick. See review.

An eye-opener! So often we read the Hebrew and Christian Bibles in isolation, yet even sacred texts need a context! Dr Mitchell looks at the role and person of Jesus in the context of the Scriptures of course; but also Jewish history, social development and above all many other texts of Judaism and rabbinical literature. Although clearly writing from an academic background he makes his message accessible to all. His conclusions are challenging, new (to me at least) and inspiring. Ann.

This is a provocative, probing and polemical exploration of the pre-existence of Jesus in the Word (Logos). It is broadly accessible to a reader without knowledge of Hebrew, Aramaic or Greek. Mitchell summons a host of ancient testimony to support his central claim, based upon a close study of Psalm 110, that Jesus appeared to Abram and David as Melchizedek. He is particularly adept at examining genealogies and his detective work is at its most racy when dismissing academics who called Jesus and his family peasants. Jonathan.