Guide to Old Testament Theology and Exegesis, A [Paperback]

Willem A. VanGemeren (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 1, 1999

The New International Dictionary of Old Testament Theology and Exegesis has rapidly become a benchmark for Old Testament study. The introductory articles of this award-winning, five-volume set stand alone as a study resource, and have proved their use as classroom material. Together, they introduce the student to everything he or she needs to know to begin doing exegesis of the Old Testament. Written by experts in their respective topics, now the ten introductory articles appear in this separate volume. A Guide to Old Testament Theology and Exegesis covers the following subjects: 1. Language, Literature, Hermeneutics, and Biblical Theology: What's Theological About a Theological Dictionary? (Kevin Vanhoozer) 2. Textual Criticism of the Old Testament and Its Relations to Exegesis and Theology. (Bruce K. Waltke) 3. Old Testament History: A Theological Perspective. (Eugene H. Merrill) 4. Old Testament History: a Hermeneutical Perspective (V. Philips Long) 5. Literary Approaches and Interpretation (Tremper Longman III) 6. Narrative Criticism: The Theological Implications of Narrative Techniques (Philip E. Saterwaite) 7. Linguistics, Meaning, Semantics, and Discourse Analysis (Peter Cotterell) 8. Principles for Productive Word Study (John H. Walton) 9. The Flowering and Floundering of Old Testament Theology (Elmer A. Martens) 10. Integrating Old Testament Theology and Exegesis, Literary, Thematic, and Canonical Issues (Richard Schulz)

Editorial Reviews

Review

The New International Dictionary of Old Testament Theology and Exegesis has rapidly become a benchmark for Old Testament study. The introductory articles of this award-winning five-volume set stand alone as a study resource, and have proved their use as classroom material. Together, they introduce the student to everything he or she needs to know in order to begin doing exegesis of the Old Testament.

Written by experts in their respective topics, now the ten introductory articles appear in this separate volume. A Guide to Old Testament Theology and Exegesis covers the following subjects:

1. Language, Literature, Hermeneutics and Biblical Theology: What’s Theological About a Theological Dictionary? (Kevin Vanhoozer) 2. Textual Criticism of the Old Testament and Its Relations to Exegesis and Theology (Bruce K. Waltke) 3. Old Testament History: A Theological Perspective (Eugene H. Merrill) 4. Old Testament History: A Hermeneutical Perspective (V. Philips Long) 5. Literary Approaches and Interpretation (Tremper Longman III) 6. Narrative Criticism: The Theological Implications of Narrative Techniques (Philip E. Satterthwaite) 7. Linguistics, Meaning, Semantics, and Discourse Analysis (Peter Cotterell) 8. Principles for Productive Word Study (John H. Walton) 9. The Flowering and Floundering of Old Testament Theology (Elmer A. Martens) 10. Integrating Old Testament Theology and Exegesis: Literary, Thematic, and Canonical Issues (Richard Schulz -- Publisher

From the Author

Willem A. VanGemeren Professor of Old Testament and Semitic Languages Trinity Evangelical Divinity School

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 18 and up
  
• Paperback: 236 pages
• Publisher: Zondervan (July 1, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0310231930
• ISBN-13: 978-0310231936
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.1 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #588,207 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars Context, Contextualization, and Conceptualization, December 28, 2010

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David W. Stroud "Inked - a reader" (Sikeston, MO USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Guide to Old Testament Theology and Exegesis, A (Paperback)

This collection of essays deals with major issues of Old Testament theology and exegesis in a comprehensive survey of issues related to understanding and applying the textual material. It contains the "ground rules" for the much larger New International Dictionary of Old Testament Theology and Exegesis five volume reference set. This material is advantageous to the preacher because it highlights basic approaches to the text which need to be considered in any given sermon on Old Testament material. This makes it applicable to all readers of the text and helps to ward off common misapplications that might arise because of differing cultural assumptions. The material in these essays can be technical at times but not overwhelmingly so, and it opens doors to further in-depth research should that be desired.

The essays include "Language, Literature, Hermeneutics and Biblical Theology," "Textual Criticism of the Old Testament and Its Relation to Exegesis and Theology," one essay on Old Testament history in regard to "A Theological Perspective" and one on "A Hermeneutical Perspective," literary approaches ("Literary Approaches and Interpretation" and "Narrative Criticism"), others on "Linguistics, Meaning, Semantics and Discourse Analysis" and "Principles for Productive Word Study," and integrative concerns in essays on "The Flowering and Floundering of Old Testament Theology" and "Literary, Thematic, and Canonical Issues." This range of essays covers the history of the Old Testament, the history in the Old Testament, issues of reliability and appropriate theological understandings of in situ passages and their initial environments, as well as subsequent applications, literary concerns in understanding and exegesis and application, semantic aspects of language and their proper usages in understanding, exegesis, application, and considerations of understanding the texts within the Jewish and Christian traditions (as well as the mutual interactions of these traditions). Taken together, these essays cover the gamut of considerations to be addressed in a thorough study of a particular text so that it may be understood as it was originally heard when proclaimed, how it was understood by the later prophets and applied by them, by the Old Testament compiler(s), and in the time of Jesus, and subsequently in Christian understanding. The fruits of this multi-faceted approach are correct understanding of the message and appropriate application to contemporary issues within the same spheres of interest.

The sectional layout of this book makes it easy to access areas of interest in reviewing principles. One can relatively easily access particular areas of concern or review. The pertinent concerns are well addressed in the "Preface" by Willem VanGemeren. He notes that interpretation involves the whole Bible, the text, the interpreter, and perspective(s). Further, one has to consider the exegetical possibilities of the text under study, its prior theological understanding(s), and its theological significance for today (what the text has meant and what it means). This ultimately opens the text to the reader and student and to the hearers of its proclamation. VanGemeren notes that each generation must receive the Bible and its legacy of interpretation, but that every generation has the responsibility to address the Bible to its cultural and historical milieu. This text is a genuine aid in approaching that task and accomplishing it responsibly.

3 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Where's the punctuation?, September 21, 2005

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M. Wirtz (Deerfield IL) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Guide to Old Testament Theology and Exegesis, A (Paperback)

The book itself is great, but the publisher decided to leave out some of the punctuation. It is a bit frustrating when you try to read. This is a heads up for all who wish to purchase it.

1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars No Punctuation, May 17, 2006

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trinityjon (Illinois, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Guide to Old Testament Theology and Exegesis, A (Paperback)

I just got a copy of this book. It lacks periods and colons in the main body of the text. The articles are good, but, like the last reviewer said, it is difficult to read.