Customer Reviews

Old Testament Theology

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

 

 

I bought this book when I took Dr. House's course on Old Testament Theology during my seminary studies. When I read back through the book, I hear his voice. His writing is as clear as his teaching - it is excellent. Even more excellent is this work that probes Old Testament theology from a conservative, evangelical point of view. He explains his methodology as he unfolds the historical development of the discipline. Around page 90, he enters the Scriptures at Genesis 1. He approaches the Old Testament in the Hebrew order, since that would be the order from which Jesus, the Apostles, and the early church would have read and understood it. This approach does make a difference, as the Hebrew ordering is based more on literary genre than is the Christian ordering of the books. House derives sound conclusions throughout this presentation of his field. This book helped me to put together many key themes of the Old Testament and see how they continued to work into the New Testament. An example: in Genesis 1, God is presented as the Creator. House's book helps one to see the theological arguments of Isaiah and the Psalmist(s), among others, who base their teachings, praise and prophecy on the fact that God created. Do not let the length of the book intimidate you - it is well worth the read. It is far better than any other book I have read on Old Testament Theology or Old Testament thematic study.

The discipline of Old Testament theology continues to be in flux as diverse approaches vie for dominance. Into the stream this author sends this student-friendly offering that should prove useful to a wide audience. Following introductory chapters on the history of the discipline and his own method, he discusses the theological emphases of each book in the order of the Hebrew canon. Readers with little prior background will find his thematic surveys particularly helpful for coming to grips with basic biblical content as well as for probing the theological nuances of individual parts of the canon. The book concludes by forging a set of summary statements concerning God and his character, the people of God, and links between the Old and New Testaments that suggest avenues for the exploration of a full biblical theology.

I have been thoroughly impressed by Paul House's treatment of Old Testament theology. Particularly his method of doing theology. He uses the monotheistic God as his central theme in exploring the theology of the Old Testament books. Within his treatment of each book of the Old Testament, he draws theological themes especially pertaining to his main theme, that of the one God, in different sections of the book. Along with this, at certain points he gives a canonical synthesis of a particular theme, or themes. This canonical synthesis is the most illuminating portion of his work, though I'm saying this not to diminish some of his insights in his treatment of a book of Scripture by itself. In this canonical synthesis, he sets a theme, or themes, within the rest of the canon (that is Scripture) both previous treatment of a theme, and later treatments of the theme within the context of Scripture. Also, what makes this resource useful is that it is written in fairly clear language, the whole book (not including endnotes, bibliography, etc.) is all of five hundred and about 40 pages, he gives an orthodox treatment of God's character and illuminates some redemptive aspects of God's character found in the Old Testament. I didn't give it a five because he doesn't explain all point that he makes as thoroughly as he could have. But, I'm not sure if, given the nature of biblical theology, I could solidly give any biblical theology work a full five stars.

I read this book in my studies at Taylor University 7 years ago. I since have lost the book through all the moving and minimizing since then, but have now found myself in search of a book this good for a refresher. I remember how little knowledge I had before the class/book and how much more educated I was after the semester. This is a great beginning study tool and will also serve it's purpose as an outstanding refresher on some of the details you've forgotten. I'm so glad I found this again.

This book helps one to go through the old testament and grasp the theological/conceptual themes therein, book by book. It also does a pretty good job of intergating those themes into a fairly coherent whole. One of the better ones out there, worth using as an old testament guide book.

a book by book approach is a nice alternative to Eichrodt 's thematic reading that squeeze everything in a covenant concept or Childs attempts to read from within a christian canon. Rendtorff does basically the same as House here does, i.e. going from book to book, although from a less confessional (and House is clearly confessional, as many will appreciate), but then he traces long lines of themes all across the OT. These lines are the connections that should be there naturally (without having to enforce one central concept on the whole OT theology obok). They are absent in House's approach. House merely gives you the books and tells you something of their theological content. Nice for those who didn't theologically reflect on the book of his choice. Not nice for those seeking a coherent story with its elements touching each other in some way. I would like to see a second volume by dr. House with a more Rendtorff like method (though not in confessional sense), giving us the major issues that run through history, prophecy and wisdom and expressing where they may meet throughout the canon. If not, I will not advice my students House's book too eagerly.