Jason S. DeRouchie (Editor), WHAT THE OLD TESTAMENT AUTHORS
REALLY CARED ABOUT, Kregel Publishing, Grand
Rapids MI
Is this an academic book? Yes, but so readable and enjoyable
it does not seem so. It is a delightful
survey of the Old Testament. It does exactly what the title implies. It gives
the reader the heart and matter of each book of the Old Testament. It is full
of understandable charts, maps and illustrations that make it an ideal textbook
for an Old Testament survey class. It is not dry nor is it boring. It makes
each book come alive revealing it real essences and importance. It is different
than most surveys in three ways:
It places the book in the order of the Hebrew Bible as Jesus
would have known it. It is arranged by the Law, Prophets, and Writings: not the
Christian canonical order. Not an order that most of us are used to seeing.
The introductory issues (Who, When Where, Why) are condensed
to one page that gives essential information at the beginning of each book of
the Old Testament. It helps the reader from getting bogged down in the nonessential
aspects of these issues.
Its heart is the ability to synthesize the major themes of
each book into a cohesive message that communicates the intent of the Biblical
author in an understandable and relevant way.
The text does a good job of pointing out that the essence of
the Old Testament is to point to Christ. It holds to a high view of Scripture
and its divine authorship. It upholds the elements of progressive revelation
and redemptive history of the unfaithfulness of man and the faithfulness of God.
It points beyond itself to give key resources for further study, which are
conservative and evangelical.
All of this is done in an engaging creative way that is
easily readable and understandable. It is delightful to read. It reaches into
the Old Testament and draws out its truths that speak not only to the original
readers, but make them alive to modern readers as well. Yet, it will educate
one to the real essence of the Old Testament.
[Thanks to Kregel Publishing for supplying this copy for the
purpose of my honest review.]
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