Free Old Testament Survey: The Message, Form, And Background Of The Old Testament, 2nd Edition Ebooks Online
This standard textbook on the background, content, and message of the Old Testament is now thoroughly revised and updated and takes full account of new research in the field of Old Testament studies. This second edition features a new chapter on archaeology and the Old Testament by Robert E. Cooley, and other key chapters have been updated and expanded by leading scholars in the field of biblical studies―Leslie C. Allen, John E. Hartley, Robert L. Hubbard Jr., William B. Nelson Jr., Nancy Heidebrecht, and John E. McKenna.
Hardcover: 877 pages
Publisher: Eerdmans; 2nd edition (September 3, 1996)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0802837883
ISBN-13: 978-0802837882
Product Dimensions: 6.2 x 1.7 x 9.2 inches
Shipping Weight: 3.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars See all reviews (63 customer reviews)
Best Sellers Rank: #83,688 in Books (See Top 100 in Books) #31 in Books > Christian Books & Bibles > Ministry & Evangelism > Adult Ministry #75 in Books > Christian Books & Bibles > Bible Study & Reference > Criticism & Interpretation > Old Testament #176 in Books > Christian Books & Bibles > Bible Study & Reference > Bible Study > Old Testament
I thought that this was a really interesting textbook. The authors reveal the message of each Old Testament book, while discussing some of the scholarly issues surrounding each part of the Old Testament (such as the JEDP theory). Unfortunately William Lasor passed away in 1991, so Hubbard (who is dead now too) and Bush recruited six other OT scholars to complete the revision. This may be one of the reasons why the authors ride the fence on issues such as whether or not we can take the numbers in Numbers literally, the number of Isaiah's, the historical worthiness of Joshua and Jonah, and the happenings surrounding the Exodus from Egypt. The authors also seem to lean toward the book of Jonah being a parable rather than actual history, although they don't take a really strong stand on that, either.The reviewer who wrote that this book supports the JEDP theory was mistaken: In fact, the authors predict that this theory will eventually be out of vogue with scholarship. What the authors do affirm is that Moses was originally responsible for the Pentateuch and that through the centuries, the community revised and updated it.And contrary to an earlier reviewer, I didn't find the book tedious at all: It was very well written and very interesting throughout. I especially appreciated the articles at the end about the Authority of the Old Testament for Christians, Messianic prophecy, and the chronological puzzle.In short, I recommend this book, only wishing that the authors would take a stand on some of the issues discussed above.
I used this as a textbook for a seminary Old Testament class. I was surprised almost immediately at the non-dogmatic nature of it, and by some of the statements in it that would put many emotional conservative Christians up in arms. The authors are objective, although it is clear at the same time that they do believe the Bible. All three of the original authors went to Fuller Theological Seminary, and each of them read and approved each of the chapters that the others wrote (which I researched because of several surprisingly controversial statements--surprising for most conservative evangelicals--regarding issues, especially the inerrancy of the Bible). The couple other reviews I read are right: it looks like the authors take some Old Testament books to be allegorical rather than historical, and they present very good evidence for doing so; although as other reviewers also said, this is not stated explicitly. I would give the book 4.5 stars if possible. It's a keeper.
Without blabbering on about the evangelical theological leaning of each chapter I thought I'd write an actual review of this book rather than attempt to debate the authors' theology. First off, the book is a great survey. It is a bit short at times and a bit simplistic around some of the prophets (the sections on Jonah and Haggai for example are far too basic) but it is always fair and contains some great visual aids, charts, photographs and organization. The book is set up simplistically and is a must for first year theological students. The only real problem I have ever had with this text book is that I have never been a fan of the index (which is far too short).
First of all, remember that this book is presented as a survey, not a theology. As such, don't expect it to come out with all guns blazing, standing up for any particular theological perspective. It is a useful introductory-level text for students starting out in OT study. It is not a devotional work. It will help inform the student of many of the live issues in OT scholarship, and point them in some useful directions for further investigation.The kindle edition is reasonable but not great. The contents are fully indexed, including chapter sections, which is great. Diagrams, charts and tables have been scanned from a print copy and inserted clumsily and crookedly. I had trouble viewing them on my old DX so I imagine any of the standard size kindles would be even more problematic. I resorted to viewing diagrams on my PC instead. There is also the usual fashionable plethora of somewhat vaguely relevant photographs of archaeological objects scattered throughout that really just break up the text. Maps are often inserted sideways for some reason. However these problems don't make the book unreadable as in many worse kindle editions. I would recommend the book to a college level student.
I am a seminary student. I adored this book, one of the best I've read in school (and i'm graduating this semester, lord willing). this book has an excellent balance of historical, theological, and other information. it's very comprehensive, well written, and highly accessible without sacrificing depth and quality. I recommend it even to "casual" readers who aren't in seminary.
This is a great textbook that provides the historical and theological overviews of each book of the Bible. However, it's one strength is also the weakness in that each book is treated in short treatises concerning theological themes, historical issues, arguments for/against authorship and dating, as well as contemporary writings. Overall, a great beginning resource (especially for those in their first/second year of undergraduate work), but don't expect too much from this resource. The conservative stance in this book is handled nicely without belittling those of critical stances, and the value from this book comes in the sheer simplicity in which it breaks each book down into key sections/themes/theological stances.
Old Testament Survey: The Message, Form, and Background of the Old Testament, 2nd Edition Butterfly Coloring Book For Adults: Black Background (Coloring Book For Adults With Black Background) (Volume 3) The New Testament in Antiquity: A Survey of the New Testament within Its Cultural Context Chronological and Background Charts of the Old Testament (Zondervan Charts) The IVP Bible Background Commentary: Old Testament Roget's 21st Century Thesaurus: Updated and Expanded 3rd Edition, in Dictionary Form (Roget's Twentieth-First Century Thesaurus in Dictionary Form) Encountering the Old Testament: A Christian Survey (Encountering Biblical Studies) A Survey of the Old Testament The Most Important Thing You'll Ever Study: A Survey of the Bible - Old Testament - Volumes 1 & 2 A Popular Survey of the Old Testament What the Old Testament Authors Really Cared About: A Survey of Jesus' Bible How to Form a Nonprofit Corporation (National Edition): A Step-by-Step Guide to Forming a 501(c)(3) Nonprofit in Any State (How to Form Your Own Nonprofit Corporation) Introducing the Old Testament: A Short Guide to Its History and Message The Old Testament Pseudepigrapha, Vol. 2: Expansions of the Old Testament and Legends, Wisdom and Philosophical Literature, Prayers, Psalms, and Odes, Fragments of Lost Judeo-Hellenistic works Chronological and Background Charts of the New Testament: Second Edition (ZondervanCharts) Egypt and the Old Testament: Notes on the Historical Reliability of the Old Testament A Survey of the New Testament: 5th Edition Dictionary of New Testament Background (The IVP Bible Dictionary Series) The IVP Bible Background Commentary: New Testament Introducing the New Testament: A Historical, Literary, and Theological Survey
