Book Review: Miles V. Van Pelt, ed., A Biblical-Theological Introduction to the Old Testament. Wheaton, IL: Crossway, 2016.


Disclaimer: I received a digital copy in kindle format from Crossway for review.

  A Biblical-Theological Introduction to the Old Testament is the companion volume to Crossway’s A Biblical-Theological Introduction to the New Testament. This first volume is like an Old Testament Introduction, but it especially emphasizes the Christocentric redemptive-salvation theme of the Bible. It is well-written and well-researched by competent authorities who break down literary structure, linguistic issues, and themes of the various books of the Old Testament. Among the contributing scholars, familiar writers like John Currid, Willem VanGemeren, and Mark Futato write on different OT books. Currid’s remarks on Genesis and Exodus were particularly helpful; I also gleaned many inisights in the sections on the Wisdom books (i.e. the Writings / Ketubim.)

  The book approaches the Bible with a Reformed Covenant theology perspective – which I do not espouse; nonetheless, its numerous good outlines and Hebrew insights make it a worthwhile addition to the library of an experienced Bible student. As H.A. Ironside is reputed to have said: “Eat the meat, spit out the bones.” Or to use the concept from Acts 17: Be a good Berean . . . search the Scriptures to see if these things are so.