A Survey of Old Testament Introduction

by Archer, Gleason L.

• ISBN13: 9780802484345
• ISBN10: 0802484344
• Edition: Revised
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2007-10-01
• Publisher: Moody Publishers

Summary

In this revised volume, Gleason Archer's original study is updated by author Dillon Burroughs. It approaches the study of the Old Testament from both the general and the specific point of view. Dealing first with issues over which many scholars debate, Archer offers evidence to support the conservative view of canonicity, historicity, inspiration, textual problems, and higher criticism. The second section dissects each book of the Old Testament individually. Archer thoroughly covers such issues as biblical creationism, Noah's Ark and the flood, authorship, chronology, alleged language, style, and theme differences. A Survey of Old Testament Introductionis invaluable to students, scholars, and laymen who want to understand the conservative position of Old Testament issues and are not afraid to examine critical views.

Author Biography

GLEASON L. ARCHER, JR. (B.A., M.A., Ph.D., Harvard University; B.D., Princeton Theological Seminary; L.L.B., Suffolk Law School) was a biblical scholar, theologian, educator, and author. He authored numerous books, including In the Shadow of the Cross, The Epistle to the Hebrews: A Study Manual, and Survey of Old Testament Introduction. His instrumental work in the preparation of the Old Testament portion of the New American Standard Bible has gained wide acclaim and positioned him as a world-renowned scholar.

Table of Contents

Illustrations / 9 Preface to the First Edition / 12 Abbreviations / 13 1. Introduction / 15 2. The Inspiration of the Old Testament / 20 Part One: General Introduction 3. The Hebrew Manuscripts and the Early Versions / 36 4. Lower Criticism of the Old Testament / 50 5. The Canon of the Old Testament / 61 6. History of the Documentary Theory of the Pentateuch / 71 7. Higher Criticism of the Pentateuch in the Twentieth Century / 81 8. The Authorship of the Pentateuch / 91 9. Variations and Doublets as Criteria for Source Division / 103 10. Late Words and Aramaisms as Criteria for Source Division / 115 11. Wellhausen's Reconstruction of Hebrew History in the Preprophetic and Prophetic Periods / 121 12. Wellhausen's Reconstruction of Hebrew History in the Priestly Period / 133 13. Archaeological Evidence for the Antiquity of the Pentateuch / 139 Part Two: Special Introduction 14. Genesis /154 15. Genesis (Continued) / 170 16. Exodus / 192 17. Leviticus and Numbers / 213 18. Deuteronomy / 226 19. Joshua, Judges, and Ruth / 237 20. 1 and 2 Samuel, 1 and 2 Kings / 260 21. Introduction to the Prophets: Obadiah, Joel, and Jonah / 275 22. Amos, Hosea, and Micah / 297 23. Isaiah / 307 24. Isaiah (Continued) / 323 25. Nahum, Zephaniah, and Habukkuk / 332 26. Jeremiah and Lamentations / 340 27. Ezekiel / 349 28. Daniel / 361 29. Daniel (Continued) / 361 30. Postexilic Historical Books: 1 and 2 Chronicles, Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther / 383 31. Postexilic Prophets: Haggai, Zechariah, Malachi / 400 32. Introduction to Hebrew Poetry / 411 33. Psalms / 416 34. The Books of Wisdom: Job and Proverbs / 428 35. Ecclesiastes and Song of Solomon / 444 Appendix 1: Old Testament Chronology / 459 Appendix 2: Anachronisms and Historical Inaccuracies in the Koran / 463 Appendix 3: Anachronisms and Historical Inaccuracies in the Mormon Scriptures / 466 Appendix 4: Inventory of the Biblical Manuscripts from the Dead Sea Caves / 469 Excursus 1: Predication and Fulfillment as Proof of Divine Inspiration / 474 Excursus 2: Additional Data from Elba / 480 Excursus 3: Liberal Scholarship in the Twentieth Century / 482 Selected Bibliography / 491 Author Index / 494 Subject Index / 497 Scripture Index / 501