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The World and the Word: An Introduction to the Old Testament
The World and the Word is a fresh introduction to the Old Testament driven largely by the fact that so much Christian preaching and teaching today increasingly ignores what is eighty percent of the Bible. Authors Eugene Merrill, Mark Rooker, and Michael Grisanti work through the world and text of the Old Testament always making three major Ìý
â€� The Old Testament is a rich source of theology and doctrine that is presupposed by the New Testament. Without it, Christian theology would be seriously deficient.Ìý
â€� Mastery of the Old Testament is crucial to an understanding of the New Testament.Ìý
â€� The Old Testament offers, by teaching and example, practical principles of belief and behavior for contemporary times. Who God was and what He did then can be replicated in the lives of men and women today.Ìý
Separating the verifiable biblical and extra-biblical data from the various interpretations of that same information, the book further shows how the Old Testament forms the platform and matrix from which sprang the life, ministry, and teachings of Jesus and the church. The World and the Word will help students see an entry point into the very heart and design of God who loves them and wishes to make them the special object of His grace.
â€� The Old Testament is a rich source of theology and doctrine that is presupposed by the New Testament. Without it, Christian theology would be seriously deficient.Ìý
â€� Mastery of the Old Testament is crucial to an understanding of the New Testament.Ìý
â€� The Old Testament offers, by teaching and example, practical principles of belief and behavior for contemporary times. Who God was and what He did then can be replicated in the lives of men and women today.Ìý
Separating the verifiable biblical and extra-biblical data from the various interpretations of that same information, the book further shows how the Old Testament forms the platform and matrix from which sprang the life, ministry, and teachings of Jesus and the church. The World and the Word will help students see an entry point into the very heart and design of God who loves them and wishes to make them the special object of His grace.
560 pages, Hardcover
First published June 15, 2011
133 people are currently reading
261 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews
November 8, 2014
I found this introduction to the Old Testament better than the Longman - Dillard volume.
April 19, 2022
I only give this book a three stars because it’s just not easy or fun to read at times. The content would be a five. It’s well researched and they authors provide as many alternating viewpoints as reasonably possible while also explaining which one they think is most accurate. The section on the minor prophets I think was really interesting but the beginning on historicity of a lot of stuff was hard to get through. This was a textbook for grad school so it’s definitely scholarly and not a beginner intro to the OT. Overall, great content, just a bit of a chore to read.
November 13, 2019
How well do you know the Old Testament? If you are like most Christians you can improve on your knowledge of the Old Testament. In this book The World and the Word: An Introduction to the Old Testament three Old Testament scholars collaborated to write a helpful textbook on the Old Testament. Together these scholars have a combined experience of decades if not even a century worth of research, teaching and writing on the subject of Old Testament. Readers will greatly benefit from reading this title.
Personally I think this book is the most ideal textbook for an Old Testament introduction. In the future when I teach on the Old Testament again I want to assign this for my students. For those who might not be as well informed about biblical scholarship the term “Introduction� does not mean “basic� (though the writers were able to write with the awareness that general readers will be reading this and therefore things must be explained and accessible for the general Christian public) but introduction here means a survey of Old Testament books but also each Bible book’s background information such as author, purpose, themes, structure and place in the canon, etc. Introduction also include discussion of background materials of the Old Testament as a whole as well (what is called General Introduction).
The book was written in a way that show awareness of the latest and best scholarship while being critical of it in a healthy way that is balanced, conservative and biblical. While the bulk of the book looks at the thirty nine books that make up the Old Testament there are also nine chapters on prolegomena matters such as discussions on the historical and cultural world of the Old Testament, ancient Near Eastern literature compared and contrast with the Old Testament, the transmission and textual criticism of the Old Testament and the past and present state of Old Testament scholarship.
I learned a lot from this book. There’s a lot of information in 590 pages! My knowledge and grasp of the Old Testament was dramatically improved after reading it. If I have one criticism of the book is that the book written by three authors meant that each author had slightly different format at times with regards to the chapters that covered individual books of the OT. Yet I also appreciated the fact that there’s more than one author for this book.
I highly recommend it.
Personally I think this book is the most ideal textbook for an Old Testament introduction. In the future when I teach on the Old Testament again I want to assign this for my students. For those who might not be as well informed about biblical scholarship the term “Introduction� does not mean “basic� (though the writers were able to write with the awareness that general readers will be reading this and therefore things must be explained and accessible for the general Christian public) but introduction here means a survey of Old Testament books but also each Bible book’s background information such as author, purpose, themes, structure and place in the canon, etc. Introduction also include discussion of background materials of the Old Testament as a whole as well (what is called General Introduction).
The book was written in a way that show awareness of the latest and best scholarship while being critical of it in a healthy way that is balanced, conservative and biblical. While the bulk of the book looks at the thirty nine books that make up the Old Testament there are also nine chapters on prolegomena matters such as discussions on the historical and cultural world of the Old Testament, ancient Near Eastern literature compared and contrast with the Old Testament, the transmission and textual criticism of the Old Testament and the past and present state of Old Testament scholarship.
I learned a lot from this book. There’s a lot of information in 590 pages! My knowledge and grasp of the Old Testament was dramatically improved after reading it. If I have one criticism of the book is that the book written by three authors meant that each author had slightly different format at times with regards to the chapters that covered individual books of the OT. Yet I also appreciated the fact that there’s more than one author for this book.
I highly recommend it.
March 31, 2018
Helpful, up-to-date, conservative OT introduction.
March 26, 2020
Great book for reference. I learned so much about each book of the OT and I will certainly return to this for study!
December 23, 2024
I read this for class. It was REALLY GOOD in some section and really not good in others. Talked a lot about textual criticism and specific Dead Sea Scrolls for an “intro� book.
May 18, 2018
Better than Longman/Dillard and Archer intro to OT. Quite complete.
April 10, 2015
There are countless Old Testament survey books on the market today and quite honestly, it feels like I have most of them in my personal library. Since the purpose of an Old Testament survey is to introduce the reader to the books of the Old Testament, many times these types of books only provide a cursory overview leaving the theological discussion points to more in-depth texts such as commentaries or books focused on a special topic of theological importance. Finding an Old Testament survey that strikes the balance between holding true to its purpose of being an introduction to the Old Testament while at the same time not overlooking the very reason those books were written in the first place can be quite difficult. The World and the Word: An Introduction to the Old Testament can rightly be described as one of those rare Old Testament surveys that gets the aforementioned balance just right.
The work of scholars Eugene Merrill, Mark Rooker, and Michael Grisanti, this book clearly reveals the years of experience these men have in teaching these Old Testament texts to their students. Throughout this book, their theological acumen and scholarly insight are clearly revealed in a way that will hit the mark with seasoned theologians and the average laymen alike. In fact, I honestly wish I had this book as a resource during my time spent in Bible College and seminary.
As noted in the preface, “The Hebrew Scriptures, which Christians call the Old Testament, have been devalued down through the ages.� Even those believers that declare their appreciation for the Old Testament may fail to realize the Old Testament was “after all, the only Bible of Jesus and His original followers.� A cogent understanding of the New Testament can only be had by careful and purposeful study of the Old Testament. In their treatment of the books of the Old Testament, Merrill, Rooker, and Grisanti continue to drive home the important truth of the continuity of Scripture and the necessity for believers to start in the front of God’s Word before attempting to dissect and exegete the back half of Scripture. The foundation must first be established for a sound and holistic understanding of Scripture and that foundation must be built from the pages of the Old Testament.
As with most survey books, this one begins by addressing historical issues related to the Old Testament, the cultural setting, and how an understanding of the Old Testament can be informed to some degree by other Ancient Near Eastern (ANE) literature of the period. Other introductory topics the authors discuss include matters of composition, canonicity, the transmission of the text through the centuries, and textual criticism. Finally, before they jump into their analysis of the Old Testament sections and the books contained therein, the authors engage the historical critical method while also providing the reader with their perspective on the current state of Old Testament scholarship. While many may feel the temptation to skip over the topics discussed in the first part of this survey, they should resist such an urge as these issues are necessary to understand before one can begin to dig into the books of the Old Testament. The authors do an excellent job of helping the reader better understand these matters.
The remainder of this book contains a book by books analysis of the Old Testament. The authors group the Old Testament books into the Pentateuch, the Historical Books, the Prophetic Books, and the Poetic Books. With a few exceptions, their walk through the Old Testament follows the book order most are used to seeing in their Bibles with Job and Lamentations being the only two “out of order�. The discussion of each book of the Old Testament follows a similar pattern in each chapter. Matters of the title and canonicity are addressed first, the composition and date of authorship discussed next, followed by the structure and outline of the book, concluding with an overview of what can be found in the text.
I found the analysis and comments of the authors to be biblically sound. While the various positions taken by both liberal and conservative scholars are addressed and rightfully so, the authors consistently take the conservative position on matters of theology and textual criticism, noting to the reader throughout that God’s Word does reveal God’s actions with real people in real history. For example, despite the repeated assertions by liberal scholars that the Genesis creation and flood accounts are simply a mytical polemic against the ANE gods, Grisanti rightly notes the creation account does indeed “provide a reliable presentation of what happened during the creation week and in the worldwide flood.� I also appreciated that the authors take a young earth approach to the creation account, noting the inherent problems with theistic evolution and old earth creationism, in particular how both theistic evolution and old earth creationism place far too much emphasis on evolutionary scientific data.
What is particular marvelous about this book is that the authors include study questions at the conclusion of each chapter. This means that rather than just providing their comments, the inclusion of study questions help the reader dig that much deeper into what was discussed. I also appreciated the lengthy suggestions of texts for further study included in each chapter. As a bibliophile, I am quite positive I will be taking a look at each chapter to see what books the authors have recommended that might need to become part of my home library or that can assist me in further studies of the Old Testament. As if those two additions were not helpful enough, there is also a collection of colorful maps in the back of this book. Maps are an often overlooked part of Bible study and I am increasingly becoming more aware of the need to take a look at such maps to better orient myself with the towns, empires, and geographical locations noted in the Old Testament.
If you are looking for an outstanding Old Testament introduction or survey text, then I highly recommend The World and the Word. This would make an excellent addition to any Bible College or seminary curriculum. Furthermore, I firmly believe that all believers will find this book highly useful as they examine and gain a firm understanding of the Old Testament. It is a resource the reader will return to again and again for many years.
I received this book for free from B&H Academic for this review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.�
The work of scholars Eugene Merrill, Mark Rooker, and Michael Grisanti, this book clearly reveals the years of experience these men have in teaching these Old Testament texts to their students. Throughout this book, their theological acumen and scholarly insight are clearly revealed in a way that will hit the mark with seasoned theologians and the average laymen alike. In fact, I honestly wish I had this book as a resource during my time spent in Bible College and seminary.
As noted in the preface, “The Hebrew Scriptures, which Christians call the Old Testament, have been devalued down through the ages.� Even those believers that declare their appreciation for the Old Testament may fail to realize the Old Testament was “after all, the only Bible of Jesus and His original followers.� A cogent understanding of the New Testament can only be had by careful and purposeful study of the Old Testament. In their treatment of the books of the Old Testament, Merrill, Rooker, and Grisanti continue to drive home the important truth of the continuity of Scripture and the necessity for believers to start in the front of God’s Word before attempting to dissect and exegete the back half of Scripture. The foundation must first be established for a sound and holistic understanding of Scripture and that foundation must be built from the pages of the Old Testament.
As with most survey books, this one begins by addressing historical issues related to the Old Testament, the cultural setting, and how an understanding of the Old Testament can be informed to some degree by other Ancient Near Eastern (ANE) literature of the period. Other introductory topics the authors discuss include matters of composition, canonicity, the transmission of the text through the centuries, and textual criticism. Finally, before they jump into their analysis of the Old Testament sections and the books contained therein, the authors engage the historical critical method while also providing the reader with their perspective on the current state of Old Testament scholarship. While many may feel the temptation to skip over the topics discussed in the first part of this survey, they should resist such an urge as these issues are necessary to understand before one can begin to dig into the books of the Old Testament. The authors do an excellent job of helping the reader better understand these matters.
The remainder of this book contains a book by books analysis of the Old Testament. The authors group the Old Testament books into the Pentateuch, the Historical Books, the Prophetic Books, and the Poetic Books. With a few exceptions, their walk through the Old Testament follows the book order most are used to seeing in their Bibles with Job and Lamentations being the only two “out of order�. The discussion of each book of the Old Testament follows a similar pattern in each chapter. Matters of the title and canonicity are addressed first, the composition and date of authorship discussed next, followed by the structure and outline of the book, concluding with an overview of what can be found in the text.
I found the analysis and comments of the authors to be biblically sound. While the various positions taken by both liberal and conservative scholars are addressed and rightfully so, the authors consistently take the conservative position on matters of theology and textual criticism, noting to the reader throughout that God’s Word does reveal God’s actions with real people in real history. For example, despite the repeated assertions by liberal scholars that the Genesis creation and flood accounts are simply a mytical polemic against the ANE gods, Grisanti rightly notes the creation account does indeed “provide a reliable presentation of what happened during the creation week and in the worldwide flood.� I also appreciated that the authors take a young earth approach to the creation account, noting the inherent problems with theistic evolution and old earth creationism, in particular how both theistic evolution and old earth creationism place far too much emphasis on evolutionary scientific data.
What is particular marvelous about this book is that the authors include study questions at the conclusion of each chapter. This means that rather than just providing their comments, the inclusion of study questions help the reader dig that much deeper into what was discussed. I also appreciated the lengthy suggestions of texts for further study included in each chapter. As a bibliophile, I am quite positive I will be taking a look at each chapter to see what books the authors have recommended that might need to become part of my home library or that can assist me in further studies of the Old Testament. As if those two additions were not helpful enough, there is also a collection of colorful maps in the back of this book. Maps are an often overlooked part of Bible study and I am increasingly becoming more aware of the need to take a look at such maps to better orient myself with the towns, empires, and geographical locations noted in the Old Testament.
If you are looking for an outstanding Old Testament introduction or survey text, then I highly recommend The World and the Word. This would make an excellent addition to any Bible College or seminary curriculum. Furthermore, I firmly believe that all believers will find this book highly useful as they examine and gain a firm understanding of the Old Testament. It is a resource the reader will return to again and again for many years.
I received this book for free from B&H Academic for this review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.�
July 16, 2019
This being the required textbook for OT Intro in the Reformed Baptist seminary I attend-- I personally did not like it, and neither did my classmates. We felt often the book rattled on with misc. unimportant facts stated in dry, ungravitating fashion, with little sense of power, and little saturation of the Word throughout. I don't think the first 200 pages even quotes a bible passage but maybe a handful of times at most. TMI is what I kept thinking over and over as I read this book. There is an average of maybe 5 footnotes per page, which is a lot (it feels like every other sentence), and it lacks fortitude against liberal criticism theories, appearing somewhat soft to my tastes. I remember often the writers labeling some enlightenment ideas as merely "unhelpful." I would have used stronger language. Overall, it is a book written by scholars, and I would say clearly for scholars. To me, it was not an edifying book, its organization was lackluster, its sense of gravity leaves much to be desired, and thus a recommendation I cannot give. I hope this helps anyone before buying!
November 12, 2023
This is way more than an Introduction. Almost 1/3 of the book (9 chapters) is dedicated to the issues surrounding the Historical Critical study of the OT, ANE, and Textual Criticism to name a few.
This book is an excellent one stop to get your feet wet into something like the Documentary Hypothesis (JEDP) and how that has impacted an entire generation of scholarship. This book is not theology heavy but does a good job at representing the broad consensus of modern evangelical scholarship for the OT. Would love to see a second edition sometime in the near future with probably more updates in Biblical scholarship? (wishful thinking)
This book is an excellent one stop to get your feet wet into something like the Documentary Hypothesis (JEDP) and how that has impacted an entire generation of scholarship. This book is not theology heavy but does a good job at representing the broad consensus of modern evangelical scholarship for the OT. Would love to see a second edition sometime in the near future with probably more updates in Biblical scholarship? (wishful thinking)
April 17, 2021
This was the textbook for my OT Survey class. Admittedly it’s not the easiest book to read from cover to cover. However, it is packed with valuable information on every OT book and I’m sure that I will be referencing it frequently throughout the years. I really like how it teaches the reader to defend the Scriptures on an Academic level. Also, the layout of the book of Job was incredible. This is a must have reference book for the preacher/pastor.
May 7, 2019
For a textbook, this really wasn’t bad at all! But obviously if you are looking for a good casual read, this book is not for you, the authors go into excruciating detail about dates and authorship and many other aspects of the Old Testament. They did a good job at making it interesting despite the immense detail.
January 20, 2021
The best OT Intro/Survey out there because the authors believe the Scriptures to be the inerrrant, authoritative, and sufficient Word of God. Some sections are more academic than others. Highly recommended for all pastors, bible teachers, and anyone wanting a more in-depth knowledge of the Old Testament.
May 11, 2018
Great introduction to the Old Testament. The main categories of date, authorship, theme, purpose, outline, and textual criticism are presented for each Old Testament book in a way that is informative, yet not too burdensome. In this way it is accessible for some lay people.
April 15, 2021
Read the first half for an OT Intro class in seminary. Great background info, among many other things, this book deals with the setting, textual issues, and canonicity of the OT. Hoping to come back to it often.
December 22, 2020
Dense in its analysis of liberal theories regarding the various Old Testament books, but immensely helpful in laying out a clear evangelical response to the prevailing academic milieu.
November 3, 2022
A must have for any serious student of Scripture
March 6, 2023
Read for Old Testament introduction class
March 6, 2024
I enjoyed this survey of the Old Testament. It is designed as a textbook but can be read by anyone interested in learning about the Old Testament. It was readable and informative.
October 18, 2024
A helpful read, albeit uneven in quality. Notably weak in connecting Old Testament theology to New.
December 2, 2024
Great Resource.
August 24, 2015
The World and The Word: An Introduction to the Old Testament is an engaging exploration into the historical and cultural milieu of the Old Testament and the literature which comprises the Hebrew Scriptures. Guided by the expertise of professors Eugene H. Merrill, Mark F. Rooker, and Michael A. Grisanti, the reader is gently ushered through the introductory matters that concern the study of the Old Testament—both cultural (the world) and textual (the word). However, the present volume should be recognized as more than a mere arrangement of Old Testament related data. Similar to the New Testament counterpart, The Cradle, The Cross, and The Crown: An Introduction to the New Testament (Köstenberger, Kellum, and Quarles, 2009), Merrill, Rooker, and Grisanti have produced a work that contains a number of significant differentiators from other introductions on the market.
First, The World and the Word does an excellent job harmonizing the importance of the Old Testament in light of the New Testament-centered mindset of the contemporary culture. Throughout the volume, although especially within parts 4-7, the authors continually emphasize the theological riches of the Old Testament that are presupposed by the writers of the New Testament. For the reader who has spent the majority of their life within the arena of New Testament studies, this will bring a supportive dimension to their current understanding of New Testament theology. For the reader who has spent the majority of their life within the arena of Old Testament studies, this will bring a breath of fresh air to the seemingly stagnant world of the Old Testament. The authors have really done an outstanding job underscoring the importance of the Old Testament in all aspects of the Christian life and doing so in an inviting and engaging manner.
Second, The World and the Word is presented to the reader in a logically ordered study that is not always witnessed among other Old Testament introductions. The volume opens with a brief introduction about the aim of the book and the genre of Old Testament introductions. Following the introduction, the authors seek to bring the reader into the world of the Old Testament, discussing the historical setting (ch. 2), the cultural (ch. 3), and the intersection between the Old Testament and other Ancient Near Eastern literature (ch. 4). After the reader is steered through the world of the Old Testament, the authors turn attention to the textual establishment of the Hebrew Scriptures, discussing the composition (ch. 5) and canonicity (ch. 6) of the Hebrew Bible, as well as a brief introduction to the transmission and textual criticism of the Old Testament text (ch. 7). Finally there are two transitional chapters that place all the preceding content into the framework of Old Testament studies, the development of the historical-critical method (ch. 8) and the present state of Old Testament scholarship (ch. 9), before discussing the books of the Old Testament specifically. This is order of presentation is beneficial for the reader, especially those new to Old Testament studies, and somewhat unique the The World and the Word, because it places a workable structure around the discipline as the reader weighs through the details of specific Old Testament books.
Third, The World and the Word is concise, clear, and comprehensive enough to ground the reader with a firm understanding of the intricate world of Old Testament studies. This volume does an exceptional job at delivering to the reader what is needed to walk away with an established understanding of the introductory matters of the Old Testament. This is not always the case with other introductions on the market. Some may see the brevity of this volume as a disadvantage because of an apparent lack of detail. Nonetheless, the reader should rest assured knowing that the authors have collectively compiled nearly 600 pages of "need-to-know" introductory information about the Old Testament spawning from a lifetime of teaching and studying the text itself. If the reader remains deeply interested in a particular topic presented and would like to embark on further study, the authors have compiled a goldmine of bibliographic information at the end of each chapter. If that doesn't perk your interest then there are twelve beautifully colored, high-quality maps that can be found in the appendix.
Overall I was very pleased with The World and The Word and thought that Merrill, Rooker, and Grisanti produced a well-rounded volume that is sure to benefit readers of all shapes and sizes. If this is your first encounter with an Old Testament introduction you are in for a treat. If this is your second or third rodeo you will be amazed at the clarity of detail and breadth of information to be found in this volume. From the intentional organization or the content to the execution of each paragraph, The World and The Word is a resource that you should not be without—especially if you are a student of the Scriptures.
First, The World and the Word does an excellent job harmonizing the importance of the Old Testament in light of the New Testament-centered mindset of the contemporary culture. Throughout the volume, although especially within parts 4-7, the authors continually emphasize the theological riches of the Old Testament that are presupposed by the writers of the New Testament. For the reader who has spent the majority of their life within the arena of New Testament studies, this will bring a supportive dimension to their current understanding of New Testament theology. For the reader who has spent the majority of their life within the arena of Old Testament studies, this will bring a breath of fresh air to the seemingly stagnant world of the Old Testament. The authors have really done an outstanding job underscoring the importance of the Old Testament in all aspects of the Christian life and doing so in an inviting and engaging manner.
Second, The World and the Word is presented to the reader in a logically ordered study that is not always witnessed among other Old Testament introductions. The volume opens with a brief introduction about the aim of the book and the genre of Old Testament introductions. Following the introduction, the authors seek to bring the reader into the world of the Old Testament, discussing the historical setting (ch. 2), the cultural (ch. 3), and the intersection between the Old Testament and other Ancient Near Eastern literature (ch. 4). After the reader is steered through the world of the Old Testament, the authors turn attention to the textual establishment of the Hebrew Scriptures, discussing the composition (ch. 5) and canonicity (ch. 6) of the Hebrew Bible, as well as a brief introduction to the transmission and textual criticism of the Old Testament text (ch. 7). Finally there are two transitional chapters that place all the preceding content into the framework of Old Testament studies, the development of the historical-critical method (ch. 8) and the present state of Old Testament scholarship (ch. 9), before discussing the books of the Old Testament specifically. This is order of presentation is beneficial for the reader, especially those new to Old Testament studies, and somewhat unique the The World and the Word, because it places a workable structure around the discipline as the reader weighs through the details of specific Old Testament books.
Third, The World and the Word is concise, clear, and comprehensive enough to ground the reader with a firm understanding of the intricate world of Old Testament studies. This volume does an exceptional job at delivering to the reader what is needed to walk away with an established understanding of the introductory matters of the Old Testament. This is not always the case with other introductions on the market. Some may see the brevity of this volume as a disadvantage because of an apparent lack of detail. Nonetheless, the reader should rest assured knowing that the authors have collectively compiled nearly 600 pages of "need-to-know" introductory information about the Old Testament spawning from a lifetime of teaching and studying the text itself. If the reader remains deeply interested in a particular topic presented and would like to embark on further study, the authors have compiled a goldmine of bibliographic information at the end of each chapter. If that doesn't perk your interest then there are twelve beautifully colored, high-quality maps that can be found in the appendix.
Overall I was very pleased with The World and The Word and thought that Merrill, Rooker, and Grisanti produced a well-rounded volume that is sure to benefit readers of all shapes and sizes. If this is your first encounter with an Old Testament introduction you are in for a treat. If this is your second or third rodeo you will be amazed at the clarity of detail and breadth of information to be found in this volume. From the intentional organization or the content to the execution of each paragraph, The World and The Word is a resource that you should not be without—especially if you are a student of the Scriptures.
October 8, 2020
This is being used for a Seminary class I am getting ready to take. This was my first, quick read through in preparation for the class. I will read it more in depth here in a few weeks. It has extensive footnotes, and it seems very thorough. More later on my second read through.
July 11, 2016
This volume is a substantial, in-depth introduction to the Old Testament by respected scholars Eugene Merrill, Mark Rooker, and Michael Grisanti. You can tell it aims beyond basic, beginning study as it has a less flashy look (there’s a place for those too) and much text to digest.
Three chapters lay out in a helpful fashion the world of the Old Testament. Historical and cultural aspects presented here moor the Old Testament days for us.
Chapters 5-9 cover the text of the OT and how it has been studied. In the process, you get quite a history of trends and the various critical methods that the OT has been subjected to. While some of us would find little value in that subject, it was written with purpose–to show how much OT study has run off the track with dubious critical approaches. So many available OT Introductions are infected with those methods and this serves as a powerful corrective.
Chapters 10-44 cover the books of the Old Testament. Some of the issues addressed above are discussed again in regards the individual book. Further the contents and theology are effectively presented. Though charts and maps are few, those presented are excellent.
To my mind, this is a fine asset to have and I plan to consult it in individual book study in the days to come.
I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.
Three chapters lay out in a helpful fashion the world of the Old Testament. Historical and cultural aspects presented here moor the Old Testament days for us.
Chapters 5-9 cover the text of the OT and how it has been studied. In the process, you get quite a history of trends and the various critical methods that the OT has been subjected to. While some of us would find little value in that subject, it was written with purpose–to show how much OT study has run off the track with dubious critical approaches. So many available OT Introductions are infected with those methods and this serves as a powerful corrective.
Chapters 10-44 cover the books of the Old Testament. Some of the issues addressed above are discussed again in regards the individual book. Further the contents and theology are effectively presented. Though charts and maps are few, those presented are excellent.
To my mind, this is a fine asset to have and I plan to consult it in individual book study in the days to come.
I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.
November 14, 2014
I received a review copy from B&H Publishers in exchange for my honest review.
A few of the top OT scholars come together to give us this introduction to the OT and they do a great job!
The introduction to this introduction is especially informative delving into a lot of the Near Eastern literature and showing how it fits in with a lot of what the OT writers wrote about.
Each Old Testament book is covered as would be expected in an introduction. I personally would have found it more helpful to have more background info to each book but I understand that is not what this volume claimed to give.
At the end of the day, if you are looking for an introduction to the OT by some top OT scholars, don't forget to give this one a chance.
A few of the top OT scholars come together to give us this introduction to the OT and they do a great job!
The introduction to this introduction is especially informative delving into a lot of the Near Eastern literature and showing how it fits in with a lot of what the OT writers wrote about.
Each Old Testament book is covered as would be expected in an introduction. I personally would have found it more helpful to have more background info to each book but I understand that is not what this volume claimed to give.
At the end of the day, if you are looking for an introduction to the OT by some top OT scholars, don't forget to give this one a chance.
May 26, 2012
Read this for an Old Testament Introduction. I haven't read any other OT introductions, but this volume provides consistent, conservative interpretations on the problem passages of the OT, such as the date of the exodus, the historicity of Israel, and the conquest. The book touches on some of the foundational issues of interpretation and introduction before giving a summary of each book. I don't agree with the author's view of inspired textual updating, but even in that view, they stay within traditional orthodoxy.
I would recommend the book to those who are looking for a more in-depth survey of the OT, not for an introductory survey.
I would recommend the book to those who are looking for a more in-depth survey of the OT, not for an introductory survey.
September 2, 2013
This is an excellent introduction to the Old Testament. It deals heavily with the background and cultural information that is vital to a clear understanding of the Old Testament texts. Each section of literature is explained so that the reader is aware of the correct way to approach different kinds of texts. It also handles the introductory matter for each book of the OT.
January 27, 2018
This was an incredible introduction to the Old Testament...of course it was compiled by Eugene Merrill, so what else is to be expected. This work compiled all of the necessary Old Testament data into an understandable and clear format which is simple enough for most people (laymen and clergy alike) but detailed enough for those wanting a deeper look.
October 5, 2016
A very good book - almost gave it four stars. Not that I've read many OT intro's, but this is the best that I have read. A very useful first point of call for when you want to quickly get your head around how a given OT book of the Bible works.
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July 10, 2024Excellent, clear, and even-handed. Approaches liberal/critical issues with grace and clarity while maintaining a unapologetically evangelical, inerrantist view of Scripture. Addresses each book with helpful clarity and excellent additional resources.
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