Customer Reviews

Everlasting Dominion: A Theology of the Old Testament

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Eugene Merrill is a well-known and respected scholar in Old Testament. Everlasting Dominion is a crowning achievement on his career. It comes as no surprise that it would be focused on God and his Word.

Everlasting Dominion is a theology of the Old Testament. He is seeking to elucidate the teaching of the Old Testament and its purposes in bringing understanding to the person and purposes of God. He follows the order of the canon but not in a strictly book-by-book fashion. Rather, he pulls out the key ideas and makes those prominent while still following the order of the OT books. I think this is a helpful way to approach the subject. A strictly book-by-book organization can make it difficult to maintain a sense of continuity and unity. However, a thematic approach can mute the distinct contributions of individual authors. I believe Merrill strikes somewhat of a middle ground between them and does it well.

Secondly, I have found some books on this subject to be very technical and, thus, a laborious read. Everlasting Dominion is different. It is well-researched and he argues for his positions, but it is accessible. The average reader could spend time in this text and find both his mind and soul enriched. That is the essence of proper evangelical scholarship - thorough engagement and holistic enrichment.

I imagine turning to it often during my own time in the Word and referring others to it as well.

NOTE: In accordance with the regulations of the Federal Trade Commission I would like to state that I have received a complimentary copy of the aforementioned text for the purpose of review. I was not required to furnish a positive review.

Eugene Merrill takes Genesis 1:26-28 as the "interpretive key" of the Old Testament (and even the entire Bible!), saying that man being made in God's image and God's commission for mankind to take dominion over the earth are the central themes of the Old Testament--and I think he's right! Throught the 600+ pages of this book he shows how these themes play out throughout the Old Testament and how they are fulfilled in the New Testament. It is heavy reading at times, but well worth it.
I applaud Merrill for his stances on the innerancy of Scripture and other evangelical cornerstones that seem to be less and less popular in the scholarly world. I do wish that he included more application alongside the Biblical truths he was presenting.
For anyone interested in deeper theological issues of the Old Testament, this book is a worthwhile resource to have as a reference tool or to simply read all the way through.

Dr. Eugene Merrill has done his work. Everlasting Dominion is a testimony to the credibility of Old Testament Theology. This work focuses on the significance of God and how God works in all of the subjects of the text. The "Autobiography of God" sets the tone for the main idea of the book. What the Old Testament has to say about God and Israel is profound for any reader, be it seminary students, scholars, pastors and serious laypersons. When one begins to read this text one can see how the scriptures come alive with calrity and profundity. There are many theological concepts that can relate to the church today regarding the history of Israel and the message of God for these times.

Eugene H. Merrill (Professor of Old Testament Interpretation, Souther Baptist Theological Seminary) presents Everlasting Dominion: Theology of the Old Testament, an exhaustively researched theology of the Old Testament grounded in his decades of study and teaching. Viewing Scripture as the authoritative Word of God, Everlasting Dominion strives to clarify the wonders of the text for readers of all backgrounds. Chapters discuss "The Autobiography of God" as it were (including such concepts as the omnipotence, omniscience, and eternality of God), "The Works of God", "The Creation of Mankind", "The Fall of Mankind", "The Redemption of Mankind", God's connection to Israel, the theology of the prophets, the theology of the psalms, and much more. "...how can wisdom be found? It originates in the Lord, of course, and is revealed in Torah, the cultus, and creation; but how is it mediated or applied at a practical, day-to-day level? Proverbs provides a threefold answer: (1) through parental instruction, (2) through divine discipline, and (3) through the monarchy, God's earthly extension of kingdom rule... One of the stated purposes of the book of Proverbs was to facilitate the attainment of 'wisdom and discipline (musar)' and the acquisition of a 'disciplined and prudent life (musar haskel)'." A thoughtful, in-depth study of Scripture from a vantage firmly grounded in unwavering faith, highly recommended for Bible study groups.