Abstract
Like most teachers of the Old Testament I am always looking out for the perfect introduction. It will need to draw readers into the world of the Old Testament, help them understand it in depth, and become excited by its glory and relevance. These goals are all the harder today because of a growing unfamiliarity with its content, the suspicion with which it is viewed in many quarters, the sheer size of the text, and the boredom with which an Internet generation now regards ‘mere’ words.
This volume does a fine job of addressing many of these points. The authors write as experienced teachers. They know how important it is to simplify, select, illustrate, summarize and repeat. Each of the main sections (Pentateuch, Narrative, Prophets, Wisdom and Psalms) is introduced by an overview, which generally includes a quotation, content summary, theological summary, key verses, key plotline terms, timeline, and map. There follow four complementary chapters: the Ancient Near Eastern and historical context, literary and theological perspectives, the individual books, and the relevance and application today. Numerous photos, charts, tables, diagrams and sidebars provide additional interest, along with an appreciation of how much more there is to learn. The sections end with questions, a review of key terms and a brief bibliography.
One of the most valuable features of the book is the space and effort given to relating the text to Christians today. This is not a book that buys into the illusion of objectivity, and the American setting is evident. Sidebars take up difficult texts, and the final chapter in each section discusses the New Testament and reflects on the ongoing relevance of the texts.
Of course, it is not perfect. Wisdom and Psalms are awkwardly lumped into one section. There was nothing on the different canons. I would have liked a more detailed exploration of a typical text as an introduction to how to read different kinds of literature. Above all, the authors reflect a conservative approach to historicity. While acknowledging some of the interpretive issues (such as the significance of genre and cultural context), this maximalist approach often understates the complex nature of the texts. On the other hand, it also provides a sympathetic introduction for those coming from a conservative or pre-critical background. And teachers from whatever background can learn much from its lively pedagogical approach.