Old Testament Studies
Book Reviews by
Fred G. Zaspel
HistoryCities of the Biblical World by LaMoine F. DeVries (Hendrickson Publishers, 1997), 385 pages, $29.95
I will admit that my studies in archaeology have not been my most exciting, but I must also say that they have been extremely rewarding. And this is one of those books written to help in that regard. The historical background of a Biblical place is often valuable to a better appreciation – if not understanding – of biblical narratives. DeVries has done a good job "crunching" lots of information in a very readable style, thus making a great deal of information easily accessible. This book will not burden you with the dry details of archaeological investigation; it just gives you the cream of the study. A good and helpful and up to date historical survey of the major places of the biblical world.
Encountering the Old Testament by Bill Arnold and Bryan Beyer (Baker, 1999)
Like the earlier volume in this series, Encountering the New Testament, this is an extremely user-friendly survey textbook made for the modern college student. Lots of side bars & panels, reviews, and even an interactive CD ROM. Lots of information made easily accessible. I much prefer Hill and Walton, but for the beginner this may be a better choice -- written as it is on a "lower" level.
Journey Through the Old Testament by Bill Cotton (Christian Focus)
A very nice, concise overview of the entire Old Testament using the book of Amos as a starting point. Certainly a unique approach, but effective. Simple and to the point. Intended for Christian readers and study groups but gently evangelistic. A very, very good OT overview. Great for the new Christian -- and for the older Christian who needs a review!
Old Testament History by John Sailhamer (Zondervan, 1998)
This is one volume of Zondervan's Quick Reference Library – a great idea itself. The idea is to take large chunks of Biblical study and reduce it to easily attainable "sound bite" segments for quick overview of the entire subject; "learn the Bible one minute at a time" is their slogan. Sailhamer has done a good job of it in this volume; the entire Old Testament history is summarized nicely and simply. My only complaint (besides the terrible proof-reading that was done) is that there is such little (really, almost no) attention given to matters of redemptive-historical significance. There is no mention of the Fall and the Promise of a deliverer and almost no mention of the unfolding of this theme throughout OT history; in other words, there is scarcely a hint of the significance of the OT history, its true meaning. I realize that there are very severe space restraints in a book such as this, but it would seem that any OT history that ignores this fundamental theme is thereby deficient and that some threading or at least summarizing of this could have been easily accomplished. However (now that I've scratched that itch), the history as it is presented is very good, very readable, very accurate, and very helpful. The book does have real value as a quick review and (with some supplementation as mentioned) deserves use. I like it, and I expect I'll like the other volumes in this series also.
The Social World of Ancient Israel: 1250 - 587 BC by Victor Matthews & Don Benjamin (Hendrickson)
Life as it was then -- an enormously helpful overview.
A Survey of the Old Testament by Andrew Hill and John Walton (Zondervan, 1991)
There can be little doubt that this is the best OT Suvey text around. Well, at least I don't doubt it. This survey is valuable to beginner and veteran alike -- a veritable gold mine. Good scholarship made simple. Lots and lots of information easily accessible. Enjoyable and reliable. Highly recommended.Theology
The Ancient Love Song: Finding Christ in the Old Testament by Charles Drew (P & R)
It's just hard to improve on the subject of this book! It is the heart-throb of every believer to know more of Christ. Yet too many Christians have forgotten that our entire Bible is a book of Christ, even the Old Testament. And when we are led to discover him there, it is a treat indeed. This is Charles Drew's goal -- to help us see "the big picture" and that in the big picture the Lord Jesus Christ is the centerpiece. In the Old Testament priesthood, prophets, kings, judges, in the narrative story line -- he is in the Old Testament throughout. This is really good reading. Great for devotional reading. Great for group study -- with suggestive study questions at the end of each chapter. Just the way we need to learn to read our Bibles. Highly recommended.
Now Choose Life: Theology and Ethics in Deuteronomy by J. Gary Millar (Eerdmans, 1998)
Millar provides an excellent discussion of the theology of Deuteronomy and its bearing on the life of ancient Israel. His analysis of the method and content of Moses' covenant exhortation is insightful, and his brief analyses of each portion of the book in light of the whole is helpful indeed. For a study of Deuteronomy, you do not want to ignore this valuable work.
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