Introduction to Old Testament Theology: A Canonical Approach
Overview
Though it attempts to do many things, the present work is primarily an introduction to the study of OT theology; it attempts to provide a student-oriented, comprehensive overview of this discipline. Students need to learn both how others before them have mined the OT for its theological treasures and how they themselves can begin that same task. This book also seeks to clear new ground in defining the task of OT theology. It is a truism to say that biblical theology, and particularly OT theology, has been largely defined as a historical discipline. It is a discipline that seeks merely to describe Israel’s faith as it is expressed in the OT scriptures. While not denying the legitimacy of such an aim, it has become increasingly clear to many biblical theologians that there is more to OT theology. Just what that “more” consists of is still uncertain. Therefore, part of our aim is to cast some light on what that “more” can consist of, both by interacting with the contemporary discussion and by attempting to contribute to it. It is with that purpose in mind that the present work concludes with a “proposal” for doing OT theology.
Key Features
- Defines the purpose and nature of Old Testament theology
- Proposes a system of canonical theology
- Interacts with current Old Testament studies
Contents
Part 1: Introduction
- Chapter 1: Introduction
Part 2: The Methodology of Old Testament Theology
- Chapter 2: Methodology
- Chapter 3: Text or Event
- Chapter 4: Criticism or Canon
- Chapter 5: Descriptive or Confessional
- Chapter 6: Diachronic or Synchronic
Part 3: A Canonical Theology of the Old Testament
- Chapter 7: A proposal for a Canonical Theology
Appendices
- Appendix A: The Mosaic Law and the Theology of the Pentateuch
- Appendix B: Compositional Strategies in the Pentatuech
- Appendix C: The Narrative World of Genesis
- Appendix D: 1 Chronicles 21:16: A study in Inter-Biblical Interpretation
Top Highlights
“Old Testament theology is the study and presentation of what is revealed in the Old Testament.” (Page 17)
“The task of theology is to state God’s Word to the church in a clear and precise manner” (Page 16)
“The methodological question we turn to first is that of defining the immediate object or focus of the study of OT theology. Simply put, the question is: Does an OT theology focus its attention on the scriptural text of the OT itself, or is the text primarily a witness to the act of God’s self-revelation in the events recorded by Scripture? This is the component we will call Text or Event.” (Page 36)
“Do we attempt to construct an OT theology on the basis of the text of the OT as we have it in its present canonical shape, or should we attempt to read the OT documents according to the form in which they were written at an earlier stage?” (Page 86)
“The first choice or set of options we will discuss is that between an OT theology which focuses on the text of Scripture as the locus of revelation, and that which looks beyond the text to the events in the history of Israel or to the ideals embodied in the text as the locus of revelation. We will call this option Text or Event. The second option is the choice between an approach to OT theology that is based on a critical understanding of the OT and one based on the OT as we have it in the OT canon.” (Page 31)
Product Details
- Title: Introduction to Old Testament Theology: A Canonical Approach
- Author: John H. Sailhamer
- Publisher: Zondervan
- Publication Date: 1999
- Pages: 332
- Resource Type: Introduction
- Topic: Old Testament Theology