Encountering the Old Testament: A Christian Survey (Encountering Biblical Studies) [Hardcover]

Bill T. Arnold (Author), Bryan E. Beyer (Author)

Book Description

Series: Encountering Biblical Studies | Publication Date: May 1, 2008

The bestselling Encountering the Old Testament has become the leading Old Testament survey text. Now the second edition has been updated throughout with revisions to the text, sidebars, bibliographies, notes, and indexes. The accompanying CD-ROM has been radically revised to demonstrate its close connection to the text and includes links to study aids, videos, and photos. The book's numerous helpful features include full-color illustrations, photographs, sidebars, focus boxes, learning objectives, chapter outlines and summaries, and study questions.

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

Encountering the Old Testament is a unique survey of the Old Testament that is as engaging and user-friendly as it is informative. In addition to first-rate scholarship, this resource boasts full-color photographs and numerous educational features, including an interactive CD-ROM. The second edition of this leading Old Testament survey text has been updated throughout with revisions to the text, sidebars, bibliographies, notes, and indexes. The accompanying CD-ROM has been radically revised as well and includes links to study aids, videos, and photosPraise for the First Edition"Arnold and Beyer have produced an exciting new survey of the Old Testament with the college student specifically in mind. They have masterfully designed their work with text and graphics in a way that will not only grip the student's attention but will guide students through the material with their expert touch. I enthusiastically recommend this volume to you."--Tremper Longman III, Westmont College"Teachers and students will find the book useful for its purpose. . . . [This volume] should be in Bible colleges and seminary libraries. Pastors and interested laypeople will also benefit from [it]."--David W. Baker, Near East Archaeological Society Bulletin"This volume presents the best and most complete college-level survey of the Old Testament presently available. It incorporates contemporary media and formats, not only in terms of its CD-ROM, but also with the splendid use of color illustrations, photos, charts, maps, and inserts throughout the book."--Richard S. Hess, Denver Seminary Journal Online"For college students who are encountering the Old Testament for the first time, this attractively produced textbook offers a clear and helpful orientation to the world and literature of the Old Testament. A refreshing improvement over the standard textbook fare!"--Richard Schultz, Wheaton College"Written from an Evangelical point of view, the critical scholarship that undergirds this work can certainly serve the needs and interests of a much broader audience. . . . This volume can be read by those who are looking for a sound yet introductory treatment of the biblical material."--Dianne Bergant, CSA, Bible Today"I think many beginning college students in this computer age would be more likely to read (and learn!) from this book than from many standard, dull, and boring monochrome texts."--Joel F. Drinkard, Review & Expositor"The authors are commended for providing their readers with a lucid survey of the Old Testament. The illustrations, sidebars, glossary, and study questions open up the relevance of the biblical text both in its ancient context and in our modern situation. A very useful volume."--Willem A. VanGemeren, Trinity International University

About the Author

Bill T. Arnold (PhD, Hebrew Union College) is professor of Old Testament and Semitic languages at Asbury Theological Seminary. He is the author or editor of numerous books, including Encountering the Book of Genesis, Dictionary of the Old Testament: Historical Books, A Guide to Biblical Hebrew Syntax, and a commentary on 1 and 2 Samuel. Bryan E. Beyer (PhD, Hebrew Union College) is professor of Old Testament at Columbia International University Seminary and School of Missions. He is the author of Encountering the Book of Isaiah and coeditor (with Bill Arnold) of Readings from the Ancient Near East.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 528 pages
• Publisher: Baker Academic; 2nd edition (May 1, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0801031702
• ISBN-13: 978-0801031700
• Product Dimensions: 10 x 7 x 1.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (28 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,361 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #30 in Books > Christian Books & Bibles > Reference
  • #85 in Books > Religion & Spirituality > Bible & Other Sacred Texts

More About the Author

Bill T. Arnold (Ph.D., Hebrew Union College - Jewish Institute of Religion) is the Paul S. Amos Professor of Old Testament Interpretation at Asbury Theological Seminary. Among his publications are Genesis: The New Cambridge Bible Commentary (Cambridge, 2009), Who Were the Babylonians? (Atlanta, 2004), A Guide to Biblical Hebrew Syntax (with John H. Choi; Cambridge, 2003), 1 and 2 Samuel: NIV Application Commentary (Grand Rapids, Mich., 2003), and Encountering the Old Testament (with Bryan E. Beyer; Grand Rapids, Mich.: 1999 [second edition, 2008]). He has also edited The Face of Old Testament Studies (with David W. Baker; Grand Rapids, 1999 [paperback, 2005), and the Dictionary of the Old Testament: Historical Books (with H. G. M. Williamson; Downers Grove, Ill.: 2005).

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Encountering the Old Testament Christian Survey 2nd Edition, September 23, 2008

By 

Biblical Read (North Carolina USA) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Encountering the Old Testament: A Christian Survey (Encountering Biblical Studies) (Hardcover)

This summer I read several Old Testament books for possible use in the Seminary course I would teach for the fall and spring semesters. I found that "Encountering the Old Testament" Christian Survey 2nd Edition, more than met the reqirements for our Freshman and Sophomore Classes. The reading material is most informative and held my interest during my research. As an instructor, the layout, text, chapter outlines and source materials listed proved most accurate and helpful when preparing my syllabus and additional course assignments. This book will be an excellent reference book and a book for any biblical library. I would recommend this book as a source of study for students in Bible College, Seminary and persons interested in Biblical Studies.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Pretty good, but too focused on theology., May 24, 2011

By 

Jems - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Encountering the Old Testament: A Christian Survey (Encountering Biblical Studies) (Hardcover)

I use this as a text book in my OT intro course. It provides a solid conservative evangelical approach to the Old Testament. Each chapter does a pretty good job of discussing some key issues, and usually deals with other views fairly.

The biggest problem with this textbook is the author's proclivity to move from a discussion of the text to a larger discussion of theology. In doing so, New Testament views and a Christian focus gets put on texts that originated centuries beforehand. The result is a reading which leaves students with good evangelical theology of the Old Testament, but lacking in the presentation of the theology held by those discussed in the OT.

If seeking this as a text book for a course, plan your lectures to deal with the text itself and the surrounding issues of the textual interpretation. This focus will round out the book.

Note: The CD is invaluable. A simple click allows the students to read the definitions of many words that would be new to them in a Intro class.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good reading, March 13, 2009

By 

T. Steinhauser "manofgod" (Missouri) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Encountering the Old Testament: A Christian Survey (Encountering Biblical Studies) (Hardcover)

A good survey book. Intended as a survey, but still a good reference tool and a quick way to understand the context, author, dating, culture, etc. of a particular section of the Word.