A Survey of Old Testament Introduction (Paperback)

by Gleason Archer (Author) "THE HOLY BIBLE is like no other book in all the world..." (more)
Key Phrases: late authorship, psalm titles, fourth empire, New Testament, Grand Rapids, Near East (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
Gleason Archer's venerable Survey of Old Testament Introduction is invaluable to students, scholars, and laymen who want to understand the conservative position on Old Testament introduction and are not afraid to examine critical views.

Product Details

• Paperback: 608 pages
• Publisher: Moody Publishers; Rev Upd edition (August 1, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0802482015
• ISBN-13: 978-0802482013
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 5.9 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #451,212 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

18 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Passionate scholarship, September 27, 2003

By	Jacob Aitken (Pineville, LA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

An Old Testament PhD student recommended Archer as a good, general, upper college level introduction for me. I go to liberal arts school where all the students kiss the ground that Wellhausen walked on. For them to even think of refuting The Documentary Hypothesis is to blaspheme Christ. Therefore, I trembled for joy when I bought Archer. Having been indoctrinated by the critical theories I was overjoyed when I saw someone apply sensible scholarship to a holy love for God.

Archer's set up is odd, to be honest with you. Unlike Dillard & Longman (Bibliography/Genre/Authorship/Background/theology/Approach to New Testament)Archer approaches the individual books quite differently. He is more into archeology breakthroughs, names of certain kings, "problem texts". My one flaw with the book is that he did not develop theological themes enough.
However, the First and last sections of the book are well worth the price. Archer aims his cannons and unbelieving critical theories and blows them out of the water. First he estavlishes the presuppositions of criticl scholars. If you do not believe that God is able to reveal Himself (or exists, for that matter) then naturally you will doubt the supernatural inspriation of the sacred text. In this section the most exciting part is the refutation of the Documentary Hypothesis. In the last part he examines the work of three prominent Old Testament scholars--Von Rad, Childs, and Noth. He is fair--analyzing them by their presuppositions--and then states his.
I would highly recommend this book but also read it alongside another good introduction.

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars scholar review, November 20, 2000

By	Dr. Steve Clinton (Orlando, FL USA) - See all my reviews

I had Archer in seminary and used the first edition of the book. The new edition is updated and is the best book on history and archaeology of the Bible, from any orientation. Archer has a deep spirituality as well as clearly superior academics. I highly recommend the book for serious readers.

22 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The best available Conservative Old Testament Introduction, January 11, 1998

By A Customer

Archer believes that the Old Testament is God's word and accepts the Mosaic authorship of the Penteteuch. He says that there are minor copying errors but rejects in toto the higher criticism of Wellhausen & Co.. He puts forth the strongest arguments for the traditional view and against the critical that I have ever seen in print. Dr. Archer was educated at Harvard and Princeton and has taught in several evangelical colleges. It is a must read for evangelical scholars. [e-mail]