Contours of Old Testament Theology [Hardcover]

Bernhard W. Anderson (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 1, 1999

In this masterwork, one of America's leading biblical scholars takes a fresh look at the theology of the Old Testament. Anderson cuts his own path and provides us with creative new insights on all the major sections of the Old Testament. He illuminates the nuances of the various covenants and theological shifts in a highly readable style. His conversation partners include the formative contributors from both the Christian community (Eichrodt, von Rad, Childs) and the Jewish community (Heschel, Herberg, Levenson) while interacting with the most recent developments in the field, especially Walter Brueggemann's Theology of the Old Testament.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Bernhard W. Anderson is Emeritus Professor of Old Testament at Princeton Theological Seminary. Through his classic textbook, Understanding the Old Testament, Anderson has affected the teaching of the Old Testament for over forty years.

Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.

This book is addressed primarily to the church: the believing and worshiping community. It is an introduction to biblical theology of the Old Testament, intended mainly for theological students, ministers, religious educators, missionaries, and laypersons who seek a better understanding of the biblical foundations of Christian faith.

The approach proposed here reflects my teaching experience over a period of years at the Theological School of Drew University, Princeton Theological Seminary, and the Boston University School of Theology. This period, the second half of the twentieth century, witnessed the aftermath of World War II, the turbulent sixties with the 'death of God' and crisis in biblical theology, the theological crosscurrents of the seventies, and the beginning of the so-called postmodern period in the eighties and nineties. The outline of this Old Testament theology, tested in these cascading experiences, had taken shape penultimately at the climax of my teaching at Princeton Theological Seminary, as indicated by the course summary of 1982 found in Appendix 1.

The reader will not be surprised to hear in these pages echoes of what I have written in Understanding the Old Testament (4th ed., 1987; paperback revision, 1997), which also considers theological matters, though in a story/history context. While such a general introduction would be helpful, it is not prerequisite for this theological study.

The biblical quotations in this work are taken from the NRSV unless otherwise noted. My own translations are marked BWA. ---from the Preface

Product Details

• Hardcover: 372 pages
• Publisher: Augsburg Fortress Publishers (May 1, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0800630742
• ISBN-13: 978-0800630744
• Product Dimensions: 9.4 x 6.5 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,059,033 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

21 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Impressive introduction, June 15, 2000

By 

Chris Heard "biblical scholar" (Malibu, CA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Contours of Old Testament Theology (Hardcover)

Anderson provides a helpful and much-needed introduction to Old Testament theology. The book is particularly well suited to the church or college classroom. Laity and students will find the writing style generally accessible and the shortish chapters very manageable. Anderson's outline, based around yet not limited to a scheme of three successive covenants, allows him to balance a forthright accounting for the diversity of Old Testament literature with an emphasis on the common themes that unite the literature. The breadth of Anderson's treatment is impressive. Biblical specialists and theologians, however, are likely to wish for more depth in the treatment of various topics and more justification for some unusual moves (like treating "holiness" as per Rudolf Otto rather than as per Leviticus). If approached as an introduction and invitation to further study rather than as a digest of results or conclusions, the book renders a great service.

5.0 out of 5 stars Better for the Price, October 1, 2011

By 

dsnealy90 - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Contours of Old Testament Theology (Hardcover)

The book was said to be used, but it looks as if it was barely touched. This a great bargain for a new looking book.

2 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars A little interesting, but quite liberal, December 18, 2005

By 

Christina Lindgren "CL" (Sweden) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Contours of Old Testament Theology (Hardcover)

I read this book as compulsary course literature at the university. What I found interesting was the presentation - and the comparison - between the different coventants in the Old Testament. What I question, and disagree with, is that the author seems to believe in the Documentary Hypothesis, and that he believes there are three authors to the book of Isaiah. There are also other examples of liberal theology, but some facts are interesting. However, I would not have bought, or read, the book if it was not course literature.