Submitted to: Dr.

Kyong-Jin Lee
Submitted by: Misael Cornelio
Course: OT517: ESTHER
Assignment: Response Paper #7
Date: November 2018

In his brief paper, Anderson analyzes the implications of the inclusion of the book of Esther in our

current canon. Furthermore, he presents five different arguments that give us a glimpse into the past and modern

treatment of the book. And doing so he argues in favor of an analysis that will take into account not only the

value of the book, as revelation, but also that takes into account the fact that Esther presents us with an essential

connection between the Old and the New Covenant.

In my opinion, Anderson paper presents us, among other things, two relevant facts. First, that “the book

of Esther vividly dramatizes the problem of the Jewish people, or, as we speak of it, the problem of anti-

Semitism.” (Anderson, 34) Here, using the Purim festal, he finds a perfect justification to validate his claim for

one crucial reason on why the book doesn’t mention the name of God or the Jewish religion.

I believe that there is a more profound reason behind it and is the fact that the book of Esther was

written, not only as a story, but as a faithful reminder of the reality of the people of God being human among

different beliefs and cultures. I think that nothing will remove the fact that Jewish people are interconnected

with their religious belief, but more than that Esther shows us a specific “mutation” that creates compelling and

new characteristics among the people of God.

One vivid example of this is that Mordecai offers his stepdaughter to a pagan king, something that will

be forbidden not only by the Jewish religion but also by their cultural behavior. In Esther, we can appreciate the

tension between gentiles and Jews but also the tension between exiles people and the people who remained

within the promised land.

A second important that Anderson include is that “the church should recognize the book for what it is: a

witness to the fact that Israel, in pride, either made nationalism a religion in complete indifference to God or

presumptuously identified God’s historical purpose with the preservation and glorification of the Jewish

people.” (40) The argument that Anderson presents points out history and theology as the main factors to
determine the importance of Israel nationalism. Moreover, I believe that yes patriotism is a vital motif behind

Jewish behavior, but we need to take into account the reality in which they were living, suffering the

consequences of the punishment they brought into them because of their evil actions.

In conclusion, after reading the article, I keep wrestling with the following questions. Shall we make the

book of Esther a martyr in our theological battle trying to discern its true meaning? Can we, as people of God,

accept the fact that the book presents us with difficult events, that are hard to take because they constitute an

essential part of our fallen nature? Is it possible to discern or read within the lines of Esther important

theological aspects that deal with grace, salvation or mercy?