The Living World Of The Old Testament

The Old Testament is much loved by readers around the world. Yet many people struggle to understand it. For example, have you enjoyed the stories of the Old Testament but wondered about their relevance? Been baffled by the unusual Laws? Skipped books that seemed far removed from your 21st Century life? If you answered 'yes' to any of these questions, then Them, Us & Me is for you! This book offers a fresh approach to helping you read and understand the Old Testament. The first section gives you some simple keys to discover the Old Testament. It teaches you about the cultural world of ancient Israel. Yet it does not end there--it helps you to see how Jesus Christ fulfills the Old Testament and how it can be applied to your life. Armed with this strategy for reading, this book then outlines what the Old Testament is all about. This second section presents an inspiring overview of the major ideas and events of the Old Testament. This is a practical, common sense book designed to help you gain confidence in reading the Bible. It is for all people who want to better understand the significance of the Old Testament.

This is the illustrations volume which accompanies the Old Testament series of the Cambridge Bible Commentary. It is arranged on the same general plan as Mr Jones's successful companion volume on the New Testament. It contains 201 photographs, maps and drawings arranged in groups with a connected commentary which describes each picture in detail, explaining its significance. The whole collection provides a background study of the Old Testament lands and peoples. The sections deal with the geographical setting, the archaeology of the region, the periods of Old Testament history from the earliest times to the Hellenistic period, the social background, the Old Testament books as literary productions, the background of Jewish religious life. Maps are skilfully simplified to give only the information relevant to understanding the Old Testament itself The diagrams explain technical subjects. The photographs, of scenes, buildings and works of art, and the continuing tradition of Jewish religious practice, give life and visible confirmation to the study of the Scriptures.

Numerous useful books on Old Testament theology are now available. However, they often give too much information - or too little. Some can seem large, and daunting to the ordinary student or pastor, and because of their layout, information may be hard to access. Others take a more introductory approach and do not deal with many of the theological issues and questions that the Old Testament raises. Robin Routledge's aim is to bridge this gap. He provides a substantial overview of the central issues and themes in Old Testament theology in the main body of the text, with more detailed discussion and references for further reading in the footnotes. His purpose is to examine the theological significance of the various texts in their wider canonical context, noting unity and coherence within the Old Testament (and to some extent between the Old and New Testaments), whilst also being aware of diversity. A brief outline of the relationship between exegesis and biblical theology within the overall task of interpreting and applying biblical material is given in the first chapter. His hope as a Christian minister is that, while this volume has grown out of a teaching context, and is intended for students, it will also be of benefit to others who want to take the theological content of the Old Testament seriously, and to apply its message to the life and ministry of the church today.

What is Old Testament Theology? For the past two hundred years Old Testament scholars have developed a distinctive presentation of the theological significance of this literature on the basis of a penetrating historical criticism. Increasingly, however, the form and structure of this discipline have moved away from other areas of theological investigation. The result is that today Old Testament theology bears little relationship to the historic ways in which Christians and Jews have actually found theological meaning in the Bible.

This succinct and innovative book shows readers how to read and appreciate the Old Testament: as history, as literature or as theology. Offering an ideal ‘taster’ of Old Testament themes and issues, the book encourages students to explore various forms of interpretation and develop a lively interaction with the texts. Ideal for those with little experience and knowledge of the Old Testament who need an introduction to how to read it, and why it is still relevant to our world today Integrates key themes and approaches in Old Testament scholarship, including theological, literary, and historical interpretations Written from a predominantly Christian perspective, covering issues relating to the nature of the Old Testament, its authority, and contemporary relevance.