Customer Reviews

Jesus and the Old Testament

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"I first read this study in its earlier incarnation as a PhD thesis, and have read it again with increasing pleasure in this revised form. In his detailed examination of Jesus' use of the Old Testament, as recorded in the Gospels, Dr. France shows himself a sure-footed expert in criticism and exegesis. He lets us see how crucial Jesus' Old Testament interpretation was to his understanding of his central place in the history of salvation and the accomplishment of God's purpose. In addition to his special concentration on Daniel 7 and Zechariah 9-14, I have been impressed by his defense of the thesis that the fourth Isaianic Servant Song exercised a profound influence in Jesus' thinking about his own service and sacrifice." - From the Forward of F.F. Bruce.

At the time of the publication of the first reprint of Jesus and the Old Testament, R.T. France was Principal of Wycliffe Hall, Oxford, and a member of the Oxford University Faculty of Theology. ...

This was France's doctoral dissertation, but thankfully, he has rewritten it and made it easier for the rest of us to follow along. This is not to say that the book is no longer scholarly, France does make generous use of footnotes and refers to the original languages of scripture. But it is more layman friendly than was originally the case.

France asserts that Daniel 7:13 was one of the most influential OT scriptures on the thinking of Jesus as he reflected on his message and mission. He also says that Isaiah 53 was a very influential chapter in Jesus' life. With these two passages always in mind, France takes us through the four gospels and shows just how much the Old tesament influenced Christ. Not all of his interpretations will satisy: His reference to Mark 13 as a prediction of the Son of Man coming in a first century judgment on Israel rather than a future second coming of the Lord will not command assent amongst all interpreters. In fact, my gut instinct is that not many will follow France's interpretation of Mark 13 at all.

Outside of this lapse, the book was a very strong presentation of Christ's use of the Hebrew Scriptures. Recommended.

More than anything, this book revealed that my hermeneutical method would be well informed and molded if I patterned it after the only, truly revealed hermeneutic the church has-Jesus' life, teachings, and especially His use of Old Testament Scripture. If one wonders who gave the New Testament writers their hermeneutic principles, who taught them how to use, interpret, and apply Old Testament revelation-it was Jesus. It is pretty academic. But worth it for the serious student of the Word.

I like it! Excellent insight! Good Stuff