Theological Interpretation of the Old Testament: A Book-by-Book Survey [Paperback]

Kevin J. Vanhoozer (Editor)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 1, 2008

The groundbreaking Dictionary for Theological Interpretation of the Bible (DTIB) introduced readers to key names, theories, and concepts in the field of biblical interpretation. It has been well received by pastors and students, won book awards from Christianity Today and the Catholic Press Association, and was named the ECPA 2006 Christian Book of the Year. Theological Interpretation of the Old Testament features key articles from DTIB, providing readers with a book-by-book theological reading of the Old Testament. The articles are authored by leading scholars, including Daniel I. Block, Tremper Longman III, J. Gordon McConville, Walter Moberly, Richard Schultz, and Gordon J. Wenham. This handy and affordable text will work particularly well for students in Old Testament/Bible survey courses, pastors, and lay readers.

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

The groundbreaking Dictionary for Theological Interpretation of the Bible (DTIB) introduced significant names, theories, and concepts in the field of biblical interpretation. Theological Interpretation of the Old Testament features key articles from the award-winning DTIB, providing a history of interpretation and covering major theological ideas for each book of the Old Testament. The articles, authored by leading scholars, make unique contributions to the study of theological interpretation of Scripture. This handy and affordable text offers students, pastors, and lay readers a comprehensive, book-by-book theological reading of the Old Testament.ContributorsCraig G. BartholomewJohn J. BimsonDaniel I. BlockChristian M. M. BradyMary J. EvansMurray D. GowJ. Alan GrovesRichard S. HessPaul R. HouseMignon R. JacobsBrian E. KellyTremper Longman IIIErnest C. LucasJ. Clinton McCann Jr.J. G. McConvilleR. W. L. MoberlyKarl MöllerPaul L. ReddittThomas RenzRichard L. SchultzKent L. SparksMark A. ThrontveitWillem VanGemerenKevin J. VanhoozerRaymond C. Van LeeuwenJohn H. WaltonGordon J. WenhamLindsay WilsonAlbert Wolters

About the Author

Kevin J. Vanhoozer (PhD, University of Cambridge) is Blanchard Professor of Theology at Wheaton College Graduate School in Wheaton, Illinois. He is the author or editor of many books, including Everyday Theology, Is There a Meaning in This Text?, and the award-winning Dictionary for Theological Interpretation of the Bible. Craig G. Bartholomew (PhD, Bristol University) is the H. Evan Runner Professor of Philosophy and professor of religion and theology at Redeemer University College. Daniel J. Treier (PhD, Trinity Evangelical Divinity School) is associate professor of theology at Wheaton College.

Product Details

• Paperback: 336 pages
• Publisher: Baker Academic (November 1, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0801036240
• ISBN-13: 978-0801036248
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6.1 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #270,156 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Kevin J. Vanhoozer (Ph.D., Cambridge University) is currently Blanchard Professor of Theology at the Wheaton College Graduate School. Previously he was Research Professor of Systematic Theology at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School (1998-2009) and Senior Lecturer in Theology and Religious Studies at the University of Edinburgh, Scotland (1990-98).

He is the author or editor of sixteen books, including The Drama of Doctrine: A Canonical-Linguistic Approach to Christian Theology (Westminster John Knox, 2005 - named best theology book of 2006 by Christianity Today) and Remythologizing Theology: Divine Action, Passion, and Authorship (Cambridge University Press, 2010).

He serves on the editorial board of the International Journal of Systematic Theology and Pro Ecclesia and is the North American Consultant for the forthcoming edition of the New Dictionary of Theology. In 1999 he appeared on the cover of Christianity Today as one of the six "new theologians" featured in the lead story. He was the 2003 Westmont College Alumnus of the Year. He is married and has two daughters (and seventeen doctoral students). He is an amateur classical pianist and serious reader, and finds that music and literature help him integrate academic theology and spiritual formation.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Good resource, but the Dictionary is a better purchase, April 16, 2011

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bgreg71 - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Theological Interpretation of the Old Testament: A Book-by-Book Survey (Paperback)

This book is a great resource for those interested in interpretation of the Old Testament. The articles are clear and insightful. However, the articles, including the introduction, are taken directly from the Dictionary for Theological Interpretation of the Bible. This goes for the New Testament companion as well. The larger dictionary, which includes all articles in this book along with many others, is a wonderful resource for students, pastors, and those interested in Biblical Theology. You would serve yourself better to purchase the Dictionary, rather than purchase this book and the New Testament edition.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A Great View, From 30,000 Feet, May 27, 2010

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Don Dudley "Friar Don" (Middletown, Ohio) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Theological Interpretation of the Old Testament: A Book-by-Book Survey (Paperback)

Kevin Vanhoozer is the editor of this book which is a compilation of essays about each book of the Old Testament (OT). Each essay is written by a different person who sticks somewhat to a similar pattern. Every author tries to give you a historical look at the interpretation of the book and why it belongs in the canon of Scripture. While I read the book from cover-to-cover, it would work best as a resource for anyone studying the OT.

Kevin Vanhoozer sets the tone of the book early by writing a masterful introduction. His goal in compiling the book is not so one can simply become an intellectual giant, but so that one can learn more about God. In his view, which I strongly agree with, one must invest time learning about God (the practice of theology) in order to have a good relationship with Him. However, one must not think knowledge is where our relationship with God ends.

Strong points

* Each chapter follows a similar format which helps the reader know what to expect. While each author may adapt his style a little differently, the content layout remains the same.
* Each chapter looks to see how we can relate the OT books to the New Testament, specifically to Jesus.
* The book is highly readable. Each author writes in a manner I could describe as pastoral. The goal was to teach the reader, not impress them or bore them.
* The book is well researched. Most authors examine all angles of interpretation through the ages and give a decent bibliography at the end of each chapter.

Weak points

* The book assumed you knew either a) other authors and references, or b) what different theories (such as JPED) were.
* The book could stand another 100 pages or so. I felt some chapters could have been expanded to include more information. While a great overview, I think it could have gone a little deeper.
* I wish there would have been more talk of the archaeological records. I know, this point is a nitpick.
* I wanted to see a chapter written by Kevin Vanhoozer. After his remarkable work on the introduction, I was hoping he would contribute in other places.

My conclusion is, this is a great book and would benefit any library. This is not one of those books you would simply read once and pass on. You could return to it for information over and over again. I think it should be read by any serious Bible student as well as any casual Bible reader. I give it 4 out of 5 stars. Good work.

-Don-

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great articles, November 20, 2010

By 

Marc Axelrod (Potter, Wi USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Theological Interpretation of the Old Testament: A Book-by-Book Survey (Paperback)

Kevin Vanhoozer edited this book and he gets top notch Old Testament scholars to write about the theology of each Old Testament book. Not every scholar is an evangelical, but most are. Gordon Wenham does his usual top notch job on Genesis, and J. Clinton McCann does a great job on the Psalms.

One complaint is that Vanhoozer's opening article is the exact same article at the opening of the New Testament companion volume. I was disappointed. You pay money for two books, and don't expect to get the same introductory article in both.

But the other articles were very helpful and satisfying. I felt as if I understood each Old Testament book better. Perhaps there should also have been an article which gave an overall theology of the Old Testament canon as a whole.