Theological Introduction to the Old Testament

Erscheinungsjahr 2018
ISBN: 978-0-19-020311-5
Verlag: OXFORD UNIV PR

Buch, Englisch, 432 Seiten, Format (B × H): 161 mm x 240 mm, Gewicht: 810 g

The book known as the Old Testament is actually a collection of stories, songs, prophetic addresses, wise sayings, and other bits of literature composed over centuries and compiled for the use of worshiping communities. These texts appeared in ancient Israel, reflecting its traumas and less frequent triumphs. Far from being comfortable texts that sedate over-stimulated readers, they offer critique of the powerful for the sake of those for whom the only tool of overcoming oppression is language itself. Because of the distance in time and cultural experience, the Old Testament is often inaccessible to modern readers. This introduction bridges that distance and makes the connections across time and culture come alive.

The Bible assembles a wide range of literary types because of the needs of the communities first using it as they preserved the legacy of their past, good and bad, for the sake of a viable future. Their legacy continues as relevant as ever. This introduction, then, seeks to help readers make sense of the variety and hear within it points of commonality as well. The Old Testament is a book readers look to for meaning. Christian readers, especially, have difficulty connecting with the theological meanings of the texts. Mark Hamilton offers an introduction that addresses theological issues directly and sensitively. Considering the massive sweep of literary types and ways of expressing ideas about God, A Theological Introduction to the Old Testament offers an alternative to introductions based solely on historical or literary themes.

Autoren/Hrsg.

Hamilton, Mark W.

Fachgebiete

• Sozialwissenschaften Pädagogik Lehrerausbildung, Unterricht & Didaktik Allgemeine Didaktik Religionspädagogik, Religionsdidaktik
• Geisteswissenschaften Christentum, Christliche Theologie Bibelwissenschaften

Inhaltsverzeichnis

- Acknowledgements

- Abbreviations

- Chapter 1: Introduction

- Chapter 2: The Pentateuch in Brief

- Chapter 3: "In the Beginning": The Book of Genesis

- Chapter 4: Rescue and Renewal: The Book of Exodus

- Chapter 5: On Holiness and Life: The Book of Leviticus

- Chapter 6: In the Desert: The book of Numbers

- Chapter 7: On Memory and Action: The Book of Deuteronomy

- Chapter 8: Israelite Historiography

- Chapter 9: A New Land and a New People: The Book of Joshua

- Chapter 10: Seeking Order Amid Chaos: The Book of Judges

- Chapter 11: Ruth, the Model Convert

- Chapter 12: "God, King, and People": 1-2 Samuel

- Chapter 13: The Triumph and Tragedy of Monarchy: 1-2 Kings

- Chapter 14: 1-2 Chronicles

- Chapter 15: Ezra and Nehemiah: Finding Life After Death

- Chapter 16: The Queen of Comedies: The Book of Esther

- Chapter 17: Poetic and Wisdom Texts

- Chapter 18: God as Defendant and Plaintiff: The Book of Job

- Chapter 19: The Praises and Laments of Israel: The Book of Psalms

- Chapter 20: Proverbs: Wisdom and the Order of the World

- Chapter 21: Ecclesiastes: Doubt as an Order of Faith

- Chapter 22: Love in the Air: The Song of Songs

- Chapter 23: Introduction to the Prophetic Books

- Chapter 24: Isaiah, the Prophet of Salvation

- Chapter 25: Not Just a Weeping Prophet: Jeremiah

- Chapter 26: Mourning a Lost World, the Book of Lamentations

- Chapter 27: Ezekiel the Prophet of the Rebuilt Temple

- Chapter 28: Keeping Faith in a Distant Land: The Book of Daniel

- Chapter 29: The Twelve Minor Prophets

- Chapter 30: The Secondary Canon

- Chapter 31: What's It All About?

- Index

Über Autor(innen)

Mark Hamilton has taught Hebrew Bible at Abilene Christian University since 2000. He has been a visiting professor in South Korea, New Zealand, and Croatia, as well as lecturing in many parts of the United States. He enjoys working with students of many cultures as they explore together the meanings of the ancient Israelite texts for life today.