Customer Reviews

Commentary on the New Testament Use of the Old Testament

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`Commentary on the New Testament Use of the Old Testament', edited by G. K. Beale and D. A. Carson supports the idea that given any approach to the examination of the New Testament you may think of, someone has written a book about it. And a superb book it is, if you have need for an examination of this subject from almost every angle. I say almost, because there is actually one thing I would like to have seen in this book, and it is not there. More on this anon.
For the lay reader, be aware that this is a scholarly book, with all the Greek, Hebrew, Aramaic, and (I suspect) even Coptic terms used freely, just when I've gotten in the habit of tracking down Greek, I have to deal with two even more difficult languages. I mention that primarily for those who are allergic to footnotes and phrases in languages other than English. Otherwise, I am delighted in how easy the reading is in all the contributions from eighteen (18) major scholars on the New Testament.
Much of this is attributable to the marching orders given to the writers by the two editors. This list of guidelines makes the diverse contributions very uniform, which contributes to the value of this book as the guide to a specialized type of Bible study based on this book's subject.
Anyone who has tracked down more than a handful of OT passages used in the NT will realize that the NT writers often take some liberties with their interpretations, reading in a prophesy about Jesus which, in the original text actually referred to something completely different. And, one has also run across a wide range of different ways in which OT texts are used, from `exact' quotes to paraphrases to allusions.
The editors address this range by asking all authors to address their OT citations from at least five different points of view. These are:
1. What is the NT context of the citation? What is the genre and literary structure of the book or chapter?
2. What is the OT context of the citation? Do these Markan citations come directly from Exodus, for example, or are they quoted from Isaiah's use of Exodus verses?
3. How was the OT quote handled or interpreted by Second Temple Judaism, or early Judaism in general?
4. From what text is the OT quotation copied. The Septuagint (LXX), the Masoretic text, or a Targum (scripture translated into Aramaic or Coptic).
5. What is the ultimate use or connection being made by the NT author's use of the OT. Is it simply to emote a connection, is it a use of a common OT idiom, is it a parable use, shorthand to evoking an OT story, or is there a belief that events in NT times fulfill a specific OT prophecy.
Of course, many commentaries on individual NT books do this as well, but most do not go into detail on points 2, 3, and 4.
In looking at those parts of the NT I know best, I find this book delivers everything it promises on these five points, but that the book cannot replace good commentaries and study Bibles for NT books. In looking at one of the most famous uses of OT scripture in Luke, at 4:18 - 19, where Jesus teaches from Isaiah 61:1 - 2, the authors, David Pao and Eckhard Schnabel cover all the editors' points admirably, including references to important opinions by famous scholars such as Rudolph Bultmann. For this passage and for all others in this chapter on Luke, the actual passage is NOT presented in any translation. Therefore, one has to have a copy of the Bible open to the passage, as you read the authors' interpretation of it. Less important is the fact that the explanation of this section of Luke on Jesus' teaching in the Nazareth synagogue says nothing about the puzzling climax, where the congregation turns on Jesus. But that is a logical limitation of the approach, and is not relevant to the subject of the book.
The introduction to Lucan passages was illuminating, as it tells us that even though one of Luke's primary objectives was to show the resolution of OT prophesies, Luke actually uses fewer OT quotes than Matthew. This is rarely discussed in commentaries on Luke.
So, especially with regard to the synoptic Gospels, this would be an excellent book to use as a guide to OT references in the NT. For the scholar, there is the usual tower of bibliographical references after each article, plus the usual index to Biblical citations at the back of the book. There was just one thing I wanted which is missing. This is a `reverse' index, if you will, of OT books, with the number and locations of where verses are cited in the NT. The reason for wishing such an index is as a guide to selecting which OT books may best be studied together, as with Luke and Deuteronomy (some commentators claim the 10 chapter journey of Jesus to Jerusalem is patterned after Deuteronomy).
Ultimately, this is a great reference if you make a habit of studying NT scriptures in depth, as either a pastor or bible study teacher.

Commentary on the New Testament Use of the Old Testament James Hamilton's review:

Carson and Beale have brought together well known scholars, many of whom have written monographs and/or major commentaries on the books they were assigned (Craig Blomberg on Matthew; Rikk E. Watts on Mark; David W. Pao and Eckhard J. Schnabel on Luke; Andreas Köstenberger on John; Mark Seifrid on Romans; Roy Ciampa and Brian Rosner on 1 Corinthians; Peter Balla on 2 Corinthians; Moisés Silva on Galatians and Philippians; Frank Thielman on Ephesians; G. K. Beale on Colossians and Revelation with Sean McDonough; Jeffrey Weima on 1 and 2 Thessalonians; Philip Towner on 1 and 2 Timothy and Titus; George Guthrie on Hebrews; D. A. Carson on James through Jude).

And this all-star lineup has adopted a methodology beyond questioning: (1) attention to the NT context of the citation or allusion; (2) attention to the OT context of the citation or allusion; (3) attention to the use of the OT passage in the literature of Second Temple Judaism; (4) attention to textual factors--is the NT passage citing the Hebrew, the Greek translation of the Hebrew, or the Aramaic translation of the Hebrew or could the author be citing from memory?; (5) attention to the way in which the OT quotation or allusion is intended to function; and (6) attention to the theological contribution the NT author uses the OT text to make. To this point, all this may sound rather bookish, but the utility of this volume is not limited to the groves of academe.

I found the Commentary's treatment of the structure of 1 Corinthians particularly insightful. The discussion of 2 Corinthians 3 sheds light on how Paul reads the Old Testament and will prompt long reflection on how Christians should read the Scriptures. The treatment of Paul's quotation of Psalm 68 [ET 69] in Ephesians 4 is fully conversant with the scholarly literature and advances the discussion in a creative, honest, and helpful way. Many more instances could be cited.

. . . may the idea that we should not pattern our exegesis of the Old Testament after the method exemplified for us by Jesus and his apostles be dismissed to that place of darkness whence it came.

James M. Hamilton Jr. is the assistant professor of biblical studies, Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, Houston Park Place Campus, and the preaching pastor at Baptist Church of the Redeemer in Sugar Land, TX.

This book is unusual in that it is both extremely solid and fairly unique. Often in theological circles, a person will appreciate a certain book, only to have someone else say, "Oh, there's a much better book on the same topic."

This one isn't likely to have that problem for a while. For too long, theologians have dodged the problem of knowing how much we can use OT references in the NT to guide not only our understanding of the passage, but also our hermeneutical approach to the various types of OT references.

For instance, how will you know if a phrase is an OT reference, an early church hymn, or the author's own voice? Does the author have solid hermeneutical reasons for quoting that particular passage? Does he use it to refer to a character trait of God, or to make a theological argument?

This book answers those questions and more. It is so easy to use that I would recommend it for everyone from a college student leading a small group Bible study to a Sunday School teacher to a pastor preparing sermons for his congregation. I bought the book fairly recently, and have already used it for Sunday School classes, a sermon, and seminary papers.

Because of its uniqueness and theological health, it also makes a great gift for church leaders, small group leaders, and anyone in between. if you are a person looking to get a good present for that Bible teacher in your life, this is a terrific place to start!

Enjoy the book, and keep pushing to better understand God's wonderful and inerrant Word.

This is an incredible resource that looks at New Testament passages in their relation to the Old Testament. The authors go well beyond mere cross referencing and provide in-depth exegetical commentary on the New Testament and the Old Testament contexts. The writers adeptly address specific and general references by the New Testament to the Old Testament.

The authors of the chapters of the book are seasoned Biblical writers that incorporate the best from existing commentaries on their subjects in addition to offering their own profound insights. This is a rich resources that is simple, cogent, well written and easy to read. Each chapter has extensive bibliographies indicating the thoroughness of the research.

This is a resource book to definitely add to your library for personal devotional use, a writing resource or a preaching resource. I am very pleased with it so far.

Craig Stephans, author of Shakespeare On Spirituality: Life-Changing Wisdom from Shakespeare's Plays

At a recent gathering of pastors from across the USA and Canada I was surprised that one VERY well-known speaker from So. California spoke to the pastors about his preaching style, his study habits, and his commentaries. When asked about his lack of preaching from Old Testament books, this pastor noted that he is a New Testament pastor and in his 25+ years has never preached through an Old Testament book, that the era of the Old Testament has no place in New Testament kingdom work. There was a hush like I had never heard (and these are all pastors who love to talk!). This new volume is a fantastic addition to any pastor's library and helps to link the entire counsel of God. Beale and Carson have given us a tremendous gift in the unique style of this reference book and how they build all the New Testament upon the shoulders of those prophets, priests, and sages who had gone before.

As we have seen, the New Testament is replete with uses of the Old Testament. Jesus, himself, was often quoting the Old Testament and the authors show us how the knowledge, culture, and genre of Old Testament books and passages that were useful in the establishment of the church after the resurrection. The authors are quick to remind us that the authors of the New Testament Canon were using Old Testament text to establish the church and then included God's counsel from the ancient eras in their writings back to the churches at Rome, Ephesus, and more.

This book serves a very powerful niche in our sermon preparation, it gives us tools to excite our congregation about the Old Testament which seems so ancient and almost out of place to the 21st Century thinker. Beale and Carson give us the tools to energize a new generation of disciples. I cannot imagine our pastoral libraries without this new work. It serves us as pastors and it serves our congregation as it illuminates the whole counsel of God.

As you may read in other reviews this is a "must have" book. But...I wish it had better binding. Rather that having stitched/folded pages, it has the cheaper "injected glue" binding. Thus when you open this massive 1230 ppg book both sides of the book "heave" up causing the text near the inner margin to "fall off" into the inner margin. This makes reading and marking of the text very difficult. My Langenscheidt's New College Merriam-Webster English Dictionary is similar size book but with stitched binding...and it lays "flat" when opened. A much better situation and more pleasing to use. Sad to see such an important work with this stiff, cheap binding.

My other negative. Both Greek and Hebrew is transliterated. We want the Greek text at least. Also a better use of bold text should have been used to make the OT/NT citations stand out to catch the eye.

But, buy the book.

Compiled by a large number of scholars from the evangelical tradition, this work is a much needed resource in your library. The difficulity and debate over how the new testament qoutes and uses the new testament as fulfillment is not glossed over as this 1000 plus page book examines passages from Matthew to Revelation. The sources cited and research used in this compilation is wide and scholarly in its use. A book needed by all serious students of the bible.

I just got this book and I'm already impressed. The book is over 1200 pages of solid, scholarly output.

From Matthew through Revelation are treatments of quotations, echoes and allusions from the OT.

At the end of each NT book is a bibliography of the sources cited along the way. A great help!

The scholars are not afraid to give their own translation of the Greek text, while consulting other reliable versions of the Bible. I find this extremely helpful, as one who is adept at NT Greek.

DA Carson puts his scholarly touch on most of the Catholic Letters. He is so good.

Overall, this volume represents the best of NT scholarship. If you don't have this book in your collection and not making the most of it, you're depriving yourself of the best treatment to date on this subject, the use of the OT in the NT.

I give 10 stars.

I was excited to learn about and subsequently purchase this book. It sits on a shelf within easy reach and I turn to it every time my studies in the New Testament bring me to a passage where the author quotes the Old Testament. The New Testaments use of the Old is not always easy to understand. Does the context of the original author parallel or differ from the use by the NT author? Is he using the text to make a new point or does it point back to the direct meaning of the original? Does the NT author have one passage in mind or is he compiling passages? Is he quoting the Hebrew text, the Septuagint or can we not even know? Knowing how the New Testament authors used the Old Testament helps us understand both better, and this is a great tool for helping the Bible student understand that usage. Put this book on your shelf!

An excellent resource and indispensible companion to any group or individual study of the NT. These authors are the cream of the crop and each tackles a NT book which they have already spent years studying and writing about. Although it's primarily a reference book, I have read the sections on "John" (Andreas Kostenberger is considered one of the preeminent Johnine scholars in the world today) and "Revelation" and was very impressed. I did not find it overly academic and believe it would be accessabile to anyone who is serious about studying the Bible.