Old Testament Theology: Israel's Faith (Vol. 2) [Hardcover]

John Goldingay (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 26, 2006

Old Testament Theology: Israel's Faith is the second of John Goldingay's magisterial three-volume Old Testament Theology. The award-winning first volume, Old Testament Theology: Israel's Gospel, followed the story line of the First Testament, developing its narrative theology. This volume finds its point of departure in the Prophets, Psalms and Wisdom literature, where we encounter a more discursive thinking that is closer to traditional theology. Whereas the first volume followed the epochal divine acts of Israel's "gospel" narrative, here Goldingay sets out the faith of Israel under the major rubrics of God Israel The Nightmare The Vision The World The Nations Humanity In a style that cleaves closely to the text, Goldingay offers up a masterful exposition of the faith of the First Testament, one born of living long with the text and the refined skill of asking interesting questions and listening with trained attention. Never one to sacrifice a close hearing of a text for an easy generality, or to mute a discordant note for the sake of reassuring harmony, Goldingay gives us an Old Testament theology shot through with the edge-of-the-seat vitality of discovery. The first volume of Old Testament Theology has triggered lively discussion in the academy. This volume too will be welcomed and discussed by scholars. But its fresh presentations of theological motifs, as well as its engagement with contemporary contexts, will also greatly enrich the treasury of insights this series makes available to preachers and communicators of the Old Testament.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"In this book John Goldingay follows up his volume on Israel's gospel with an equally lively and engaging treatment of Israel's faith. Here he tackles the Old Testament's view of God, Israel, 'the Nightmare,' Humanity, the Nations, to name a few. Goldingay models theological exposition at its best: rigorous wrestling with biblical texts; illuminating dialogue with other disciplines, including systematic theology; transparent personal reflection; and penetrating insights. Its intellectual rigor offers grist for the academic mill, its theological depth rich food for the weekly pulpit. Frequent references to popular culture and comments on contemporary life further measurably enhance this volume. I highly recommend it for academics, clergy and students." (Robert L. Hubbard Jr., Ph.D., Professor of Biblical Literature, North Park Theological Seminary )

"In Israel's Faith, Goldingay offers us the second in a series that will most likely constitute his magnum opus. While the first volume (Israel's Gospel) masterfully traced the theological story of Israel, this volume provides a discerning synthesis of key theological streams in the Old Testament. Such a task is possible only for a select few in any generation, and with this volume Goldingay confirms his place among that group.

The strength of the volume is that it steers clear of the old etymological and lexical fixation of earlier Old Testament theology and focuses instead on key themes as well as images which express the theology of the Old Testament. Goldingay is able to write First Testament theology on its own terms and thus enable the Old Testament to operate as Christian Scripture, rather than as background to the New Testament and Christian theology. At the same time the volume showcases the value of conversation with the Christian systematic theological tradition without smothering the witness of the Old Testament. Those interested in the fruit of a lifetime of reflection on the Old Testament will find a place for this volume in their library." (Mark J. Boda, Ph.D. (Cantab.), Professor of Old Testament, McMaster Divinity College )

"John Goldingay has set himself, and now two-thirds completed, a monumental task. The shape and size of the emerging sculpture is now clear. The finished work will certainly be immense in terms of the number of words. But it is also emerging as a hugely significant contribution to contemporary Old Testament scholarship, which will be a great help to theological teachers at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels. This volume, in structure as well as content, not only maps out for us the faith of the First Testament with great clarity and in a lively readable style, but also introduces the reader to a vast range of secondary literature. Difficult questions are embraced rather than avoided, but at the same time Goldingay manages to convey a love for the text and for the God revealed in the text--something not always achieved by biblical scholars." (Mary J. Evans, vice principal, London School of Theology )

"This second volume of John Goldingay's planned trilogy combines world-class scholarship with enjoyable reading. He takes his readers on a journey of discovery, often challenging common assumptions about Old Testament theology as he examines what the text actually says about God and the world, Israel and the nations, and human existence. I expect the book to become a valuable resource for a wide range of people." (Dr. David L. Baker, Tyndale House, Cambridge )

"John Goldingay's second volume of his comprehensive three-volume Old Testament Theology focuses on the major theological themes of God, Israel, the nightmare, the vision, the world, the nations and humanity. Following his masterful narrative theology of volume one (Old Testament Theology: Israel's Gospel) that traces Israel's 'gospel' by focusing on the divine actions of creation and redemption, this second volume examines the faith of the Prophets, Psalms and Wisdom Literature. The move is from narrative theology to systematic themes. Goldingay possesses the rare talent of combining scholarly acumen with literary artistry and an engaging style. By means of theological astuteness, literary clarity, well-honed biblical skills, keen insights and an attendant hermeneutical interest, Goldingay produces a splendid volume for scholar and pastor alike. These two volumes belong in every scholar's and pastor's library." (Dr. Leo G. Perdue, professor of Hebrew Bible, Brite Divinity School )

"Goldingay's reputation as a master of Old Testament theology will be further enhanced by his treatment of the prophets and sages in this volume. His study is deeply rooted in a profound reading of specific texts in the light of an extensive understanding of their Old Testament context. Not just for scholars, all clergy will benefit greatly from reading this magnificent book." (Tremper Longman III, Robert H. Gundry Professor of Biblical Studies, Westmont College )

"The fruit of a lifetime of teaching and reflection, exhaustive in scope and mature in articulation, John Goldingay has assembled a vast reflective account of what the Old Testament says about God, Israel, humanity and creaturely existence. Goldingay especially enjoys the challenges of the Old Testament for present faith and life, and he rises to them. Comprehensive and engaging." (Christopher Seitz, professor of Old Testament and theological studies, University of St. Andrews )

"Grounded solidly in the study of specific texts, John Goldingay demonstrates that the Old Testament is no second-class citizen in the biblical theological conversation. His command of the text and related literature, including historical and systematic theology, is evident throughout. A special dimension of the book is a deft and straightforward analysis combined with a refreshing personal touch in working with theological issues. This approach enhances his relational way of working with Old Testament themes, especially material about God and humankind. This second volume of Goldingay's immense theological project will open up and enhance many fruitful theological conversations in the years to come." (Terence E. Fretheim, Elva B. Lovell Professor of Old Testament, Luther Seminary, St. Paul, Minnesota )

From the Publisher

Features & Benefits *The climax of a foremost interpreter of the Old Testament that is sure to be consulted and discussed for years to come *Gives full treatment of the major themes of Old Testament faith *Numerous insights born of mature scholarship *An abundance of fresh discussions of theological motifs *A goldmine for preachers and communicators of the Old Testament

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 891 pages
• Publisher: IVP Academic (October 26, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0830825622
• ISBN-13: 978-0830825622
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.1 x 2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.8 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #378,692 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A remarkable work!, September 15, 2009

By 

M. Pope (Hattiesburg, MS USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Old Testament Theology: Israel's Faith (Vol. 2) (Hardcover)

Once again John Goldingay has written a surprisingly readable -- and often humorous -- survey of the First (as he prefers to call it, rather than "Old") Testament that can be enjoyed and appreciated not only by scholars but by us non-scholars as well. The first volume, "Israel's God", as he says, tells the story of God's work in history narratively; this volume, "Israel's Faith" focuses on God's relationship with Israel (and the nations) from a "topical standpoint": the chapter titles include "God", "Israel", "The Nightmare" (Sin and its effects); "The Vision" (Hope and Renewal); "Humanity"; "The World"; and "The Nations". The third volume, coming in November, 2009, "Israel's Life" will focus on implications and applications: how we live in light of what God has done (Volume I) and who God is (Volume II). It is not easy to read more than perhaps 25-30 pages a day of this book, but the effort is well worth it: my knowledge and love of the "First" Testament has been significantly deepened by reading these books.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Magisterial work, January 13, 2010

By 

William Muehlenberg (Melbourne Australia) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Old Testament Theology: Israel's Faith (Vol. 2) (Hardcover)

Now that the third and final volume of John Goldingay's tremendous work is now available, one can properly assess just what he has left us with. The short answer is this: it is simply a magisterial effort. It is a first class work which will be irreplaceable for many years to come.

It is simply amazing for a variety of reasons, not least of which is its massive length. The three volumes comprise over 2,500 pages (2743 pages to be exact). Bear in mind that in the decade he took to pen this, he also produced a number of other important works, including his equally impressive 3-volume commentary on the Psalms, which totals over 2200 pages! Talk about prolific.

This OT theology is simply superb. Goldingay is just utterly steeped in the Old Testament, and has done a superlative job of elucidating its themes, its theology, its vision, its grandeur, and its contents. Almost every aspect of OT studies is entered into here, and he is always up to the task.

The first volume focuses on "Israel's Gospel". It examines the OT narratives from creation to the first coming of Christ. The second volume deals with "Israel's Faith". This concentrates on the Prophets, the Wisdom writings, and the Psalms. Volume three centres on "Israel's Life". It examines the ethical, spiritual and worshipping life of Israel.

Goldingay is of course a Christian but he argues that we must consider the OT on its own terms. He rightly notes that "the Old Testament's insights must be seen in light of those of the New, but only as long as we immediately add that it is just as essential to see the New Testament's insights in light of those of the Old."

Or as he says further on, "It is inappropriate to describe the New Testament as the `authoritative interpretation' of the Old without adding that the Old Testament is the authoritative interpretation of the New."

Indeed, he reminds us of the vital importance of the OT: "only when people have learned to take the Old Testament really seriously can they be entrusted with the story of Jesus." We fail to properly understand the NT gospel unless we have a firm grasp of the OT.

Goldingay is more than qualified to tackle this job. He has been for many years Professor of Old Testament at Fuller Theological Seminary, and is one of the world's leading evangelical OT scholars. He has penned numerous important works on OT topics, and this trilogy is in many ways his magnum opus, capping off a distinguished career.

Of course other helpful OT theologies written from an evangelical/conservative viewpoint have appeared over recent times. One thinks of John Sailhamer's Introduction to Old Testament Theology (1996); Paul House's Old Testament Theology (1998); and Bruce Waltke's An Old Testament Theology (2007), for example.

But this is by far the most comprehensive, the most detailed and the most incisive work going. Anyone wanting to master the OT needs this superb set. Mind you, I find myself disagreeing with the author on a regular basis. For example, he is quite open to freewill theism, and thus his take on such areas as divine omniscience and impassibility will not please everyone.

But he certainly gets one thinking, and he is always careful to tentatively - and respectfully - push what might be considered controversial topics. His many decades of careful scholarship and theological awareness, combined with a more than capable writing style, make this work a pleasure to read and a joy to contemplate.

If you get only one Old Testament theology, get this three volume work.

4.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Work, July 27, 2010

By 

Daniel J. Doleys - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Old Testament Theology: Israel's Faith (Vol. 2) (Hardcover)

I would like to thank InterVarsity Press Academic for graciously providing these review copies.

John Goldingay is the David Allan Hubbard Professor of Old Testament at Fuller Theological Seminary. His other other works include Theological Diversity and the Authority of the Old Testament, God's Prophet, God's Servant: A Study in Jeremiah 40-55, a three volume commentary on the Psalms (V. 1, V. 2, V. 3) in the Baker Commentary on the Old Testament Wisdom and Psalms, a commentary on the Minor Prophets in the New International Bible Commentary series, a two volume lay level commentary on Genesis (V. 2), a commentary on Daniel in the WBC series, and the other volume in the Old Testament Theology series Vol. 3: Israel's Life.

This is the first of three volumes that will certainly be remembered as Goldingay's magnum opus. This first installment, Israel's Gospel traces the story of Israel from Genesis to the Return from Exile to examine the history and its narrative interpretation by the scribes of Israel. We see not only in the title of this work, but also in Goldingay's explicit discussion and the final chapter concerning the coming of Jesus that he is interested in writing a Christian Old Testament theology. This does not mean a theology where the text of the Old Testament is read to affirm one's theological or exegetical convictions about the New Testament, but one that does not pretend to be a objective reader and interpreter. He also seeks to construct the proper understanding of the Old Testament as the lens through which Jesus and the rest of the New Testament is read. Overall, Goldingay's purpose is to write his understanding of Old Testament theology, not to argue against or provide substantial interaction with others, though he certainly seems aware and understanding of them. In addition, both of the first two volumes are written in what you might call a Hebrew way. It is clear that Goldingay has been deeply influenced in his writing by his reading and immersion of the `First Testament' and his style of description is reminiscent of the narrators themselves.

In forming his description of Israel's Gospel Goldingay uses the built in plot markers of the Old Testament narrative to form his own chapters: "Creation", "From Eden to Babel", "Israel's Ancestors", "The Exodus", "Sinai", "The Land", "From Joshua to Solomon", "From Solomon to Exile" and "Exile and Restoration." In his introductory chapter Goldingay does an excellent job of summarizing this storyline "God began. Humanity turned its back on God's instructions, and God started over. God promised, and a family grew. Israel cried out, and God delivered. God sealed, and Israel imperiled. God gave, and Israel took. Israel equivocated, and God accommodated. Israel turned away, and God wrestled. God preserved, and Israel turned back" (36).

There are two things in particular I found superior about his volume. First, this volume can serve as both a introduction to the history and story of Israel for less educated readers. Most books that deal with the history of Israel are done from either an apologetic stand point or a critical stand point and include much technical, which is important to the scholar, but less relevant to the pastor of educated laymen. Therefore I think it right to call this book a Theological History of Israel, and one that is first rate. Second, Goldingay's commitment to exegesis is clear throughout. He does not allow systematic theological statements to push individual texts beyond what they themselves say and he focuses on the actual contextual meaning of the text for Israel in that time for its meaning without looking for some later typology or cross reference that it may affirm. This is certainly not to say that these are not important areas themselves, but they should grow out of a previous theological reading of the text that focuses on its exegetical meaning. And that is precisely what Goldingay has given us.

As a note of critique, I am not sure if Goldingay would identify himself as an evangelical (which is not itself a critique at all), there was a certain lack of engagement with works by mainstream evangelical authors such as Tremper Longman III or Bruce Waltke. After reading I checked and neither appear in bibliography. Much of these two titans of the OT work has been in the poetic and prophetic books, but I know a few times reading where I thought that Waltke could have been considered on Genesis or Longman's work on divine warfare.

In the second volume, Israel' Faith, Goldingay focuses on the wisdom books and Psalms. While the first volume tells the story of God and Israel, Goldingay explains the identity of God and Israel in this volume. The fundamental goal of identifying God and Israel is seen in the second and third chapters, but this task overflows into others, which seem to be widely based on the conclusions made in "God" and "Israel". These include a chapter on the Exile "The Nightmare", the Return and beyond "The Vision", "Humanity", "The World", and "The Nations."

Again, I would bring up two notes of praise and one of critique. In praise, as in the first volume, Goldingay focuses primarily on the final form of the text and its historical situation. Again, this is excellent work. But in this volume, dealing with the material of wisdom and the Psalms Goldingay rightly sees more area to make broader statements of truth and identity. However, curiously with all the wonderful material available in the poetic canon I found "The World" chapter a bit short. This may be personal preference or the need to not make an already big book even bigger, but the relationship between God and his creation seem to be a large theme of the poetics that could have been discussed in greater detail.