The Theological Interpretation of the Old Testament [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.

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-

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.