Two facts:
1) I like charts because I am visual and also
slightly ADD. I need them to process what you are saying.
2) What the
Old Testament Authors Really Cared About: A Survey of Jesus’ Bible has a
bunch of charts and visuals.
Therefore, What
the Old Testament Authors Really Cared About edited by Jason S. DeRouchie
made me very happy. It satisfied my longings for an Old Testament survey book
that didn’t put me to sleep. Let me hit the high points for you…
- The book places each book in its redemptive-historical context, allowing you to easily see how this book fits into the grand narrative God was/is working out within the world.
- It doesn’t devote a bunch of time to less interesting topics such as dating the books and authorship issues. It is included but it is not extensively looked at. Normally a page is devoted to such topics.
- The book is focused on the theology of each book of the Old Testament. The term “a survey of Jesus’ Bible” is appropriate to some extent but to be honest, it reads more like an book by book O.T. Theology (which I like).
- There is a focus on Christ as the fulfillment of the Old Testament and it keeps God’s glory central which is a big win.
- A lot of charts and pictures to keep you happy and interested.
- This book has a broad range of appeal: the student, the interested layperson, and the pastor. For me personally, I have already integrated a fair amount of this book into my lecture material for my students.
In my opinion, this is absolutely the best Old
Testament survey book available. I loved it. I actually sat down and wanted to read through it. Any book “textbook”
that can do that is a winner. Pick it up!
*Thanks to Kregel Academic for the free review copy in exchange for a fair, unbiased review*
