Introduction to Old Testament Theology: A Canonical Approach [Paperback]

John H. Sailhamer (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 6, 1995

CONTENTS Part 1: INTRODUCTION Chapter 1 Introduction PART 2: THE METHODOLOGY OF OLD TESTAMENT THEOLOGY Chapter 2 Methodology Chapter 3 Text or Event Chapter 4 Criticism or Canon Chapter 5 Descriptive or Confessional Chapter 6 Diachronic or Synchronic PART 3: A CANONICAL THEOLOGY OF THE OLD TESTAMENT Chapter 7 A proposal for a Canonical Theology APPENDICES Appendix A The Mosaic Law and the Theology of the Pentateuch Appendix B Compositional Strategies in the Pentatuech Appendix C The Narrative World of Genesis Appendix D 1 Chronicles 21:16: A study in Inter-Biblical Interpretation

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

Sailhamer's introduction is an explicitly conservative evangelical argument for a canonical, text-centered approach to the theology of the Old Testament. It is a particularly useful introduction (even for readers who are not conservative or evangelical) because of the care and evenhandedness with which the author describes alternative strategies of interpretation and makes his own choices explicit. The book becomes a kind of flowchart, mapping Sailhamer's choices--of text over event, canon over criticism, confession over description, and diachronic over synchronic interpretation--but also attending with care to alternatives at each step along the way. One could argue that the choices are not so neatly binary as the flowchart implies, but that would be quibbling. On the whole, this is an excellent introductory text. Steve Schroeder --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From the Back Cover

CONTENTS Part 1: INTRODUCTION Chapter 1 Introduction PART 2: THE MEDTHODOLOGY OF OLD TESTAMENT THEOLOGY Chapter 2 Methodology Chapter 3 Text or Event Chapter 4 Criticism or Canon Chapter 5 Descriptive or Confessional Chapter 6 Diachronic or Synchronic PART 3: A CANONICAL THEOLOGY OF THE OLD TESTAMENT Chapter 7 A proposal for a Canonical Theology APPENDICES Appendix A The Mosaic Law and the Theology of the Pentateuch Appendix B Compositional Strategies in the Pentatuech Appendix C The Narrative World of Genesis Appendix D 1 Chronicles 21:16: A study in Inter-Biblical Interpretation

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 18 and up
  
• Paperback: 332 pages
• Publisher: Zondervan (May 6, 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0310232023
• ISBN-13: 978-0310232025
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 5.8 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #187,850 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

John H. Sailhamer is professor of Old Testament at Golden Gate Baptist Theological Seminary in Brea, California and was formerly senior professor of Old Testament and Hebrew at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. His other works include An Introduction to Old Testament Theology and The NIIV Compact Bible Commentary.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Very Scholarly Old Testament Theology, April 19, 2005

By 

theologicalresearcher "theologicalresearcher" (Canada) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Introduction to Old Testament Theology: A Canonical Approach (Paperback)

This book is for those who want an OT theology that is very detailed, highly-technical, and painstakingly exegetical. Sailhamer's book is not like the other OT theology books (e.g., Brevard Childs, Walter Kaiser, Eugene Merrill and Roy Zuck, Ralph Smith, and Bruce Waltke) that deal primarily with themes, messages, and ideas of the OT. The book is primarily hermeneutical and methodological (in fact, the major portion of the book [pp. 29-194] deals with methodology!). If one is looking for a thematical OT theology this book is not for you (try Kaiser, Smith, or Waltke). However, this is an excellent book for those who like to get into the nitty-gritty of OT exegesis and theological methodology. It is a difficult book to read so this book isn't for those who like to cruise through a book.

4 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Canonical Theology, July 2, 2009

By 

J. Barginear "heir of God" (Indiana) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Introduction to Old Testament Theology: A Canonical Approach (Paperback)

In this book is a serious study of Old Testament Theology."In-Texuality" "Inner Texuality" "inter-texuality" and "Con -Texuality" is the method of exegesis that Dr. Sailhamer explains. He comes from a process of Hermeneutic; Text, Canon, Confessional and diachronic (the opposite views are explained also). Then in the Appendix A he presented an aspect of compositional strategy of Pentateuch, titled:
The Mosaic Law and the Theology of the Pentateuch, Appendix B: Compositional Strategies in the Pentateuch. Also, there is an Appendix C and D

3 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Introduction to Old Testament Theology: A Canonical Approach, October 14, 2010

By 

William - See all my reviews

This review is from: Introduction to Old Testament Theology: A Canonical Approach (Paperback)

The book emphasizes the "text-oriented" approach to Old Testament theology, but is very Scripture light. The book is not Christological or Christ-center in it's approach or thesis. The book makes no mention of how Old Testament theology helped shape New Testament theology. For example, the Apostle Paul refers back to the Old Testament Scriptures to line out the case for the need for redemption through Christ. A study of Romans will show the commitment, on the part of the Apostle Paul, of preaching Christ from the Scriptures (OT Scriptures). Interesting, this book doesn't mention Paul or even quote one verse that is Christological in nature. However, in Luke 24:44, Jesus says, "Then He said to them, "These are the words which I spoke to you while I was still with you, that all things must be fulfilled which were written in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms concerning Me." Jesus fulfilled the demands of the Law and we are saved by faith in Christ. However, Sailhamer never discusses Christ fulfilling the Law or being the promised Messiah of Israel. The book's title states that it's a book about Old Testament Theology, but it is a Christ-less Old Testament theology.