A Theological Introduction To The Old Testament

by Birch, Bruce C.

• ISBN13: 9780687066766
• ISBN10: 068706676X
• Edition: 2nd
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2005-09-01
• Publisher: INGRAM

Summary

This book has become a standard text in seminary and university classrooms. The purpose of this second edition is to help readers come to a critically informed understanding of the Old Testament as the church's scripture. This book introduces the Old Testament both as a witness of ancient Israel and as a witness to the church and synagogue through the generations of those who have passed these texts on as scripture. The authors of this volume share a commitment to the interpretation of the Old Testament as a central resource for the life of the church today. At the same time, they introduce the Old Testament witness in a manner that honors the importance of biblical scholarship in helping students engage the variety of theological voices within the Old Testament. This second edition gives special attention to deepening and broadening theological interpretations by including, for example, issues related to gender, race, and class. It also includes more detailed maps and charts for student use.

Author Biography

Bruce C. Birch is Dean and Professor of Old Testament at Wesley Theological Seminary, Washington, DC Walter Brueggemann is William Marcellus McPheeters Professor Emeritus of Old Testament at Columbia Theological Seminary in Decatur, Georgia Terence E. Fretheim is Elva B. Lovell Professor of Old Testament at Luther Seminary in St. Paul, Minnesota David L. Petersen is Professor of Old Testament at Candler School of Theology at Emory University in Atlanta

Table of Contents

Preface to the Second Edition	ix
Preface to the First Edition	xiii
List of Abbreviations	xvii
The Old Testament as Theological Witness	1	(28)
Key topics: Approaches to OT theology; canon and scripture; authority; text and context (ancient and modern)
The Created Order and the Re-creation of Broken Order	29	(32)
Key topics: Creation and Creator; the human role; broken creation; primeval history
Key texts: Gen 1--11
Promises Made, Threatened, and Fulfilled	61	(32)
Key topics: The promise to the ancestors; the Joseph story
Key texts: Gen 12--50
Bondage, Exodus, Wilderness	93	(34)
Key topics: Bondage in Egypt; the Exodus God; the role of Moses; liberation/salvation/deliverance; the wilderness
Key texts: Exod 1--18, selected psalms
The Structures of Covenant Life	127	(46)
Key topics: The theophany at Sinai; covenant---nature and structures; decalogue/law; sacrifice and holiness
Key texts: Exod 19--40, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy
``The People of the Land''	173	(42)
Key topics: Conflict with previous inhabitants; holy war; the role of the land; settlement and tribal league
Key texts: Joshua, Judges
The Rise of the Monarchy	215	(42)
Key topics: Rise of kingship; emerging nation and new roles of leadership; pivotal role of David; Solomonic rule; temple worship with psalms
Key texts: 1--2 Samuel, 1 Kgs 1--11, selected psalms
Kings and Prophets in the Divided Kingdom	257	(32)
Key topics: Division of the kingdom; nationhood among the empires; conflict with the Baalists; Elijah and Elisha; nature of early prophecy; temple worship and the psalms
Key texts: 1 Kgs 12--2 Kgs 13, selected psalms
Prophecy and Reform: From Jeroboam to Josiah	289	(38)
Key topics: The nature of classical prophecy; the eighth-century prophets and their context; Deuteronomic Reform
Key texts: 2 Kgs 14--25, Amos, Hosea, Micah, Isa 1--39, Deuteronomy, Zephaniah
Collapse/Exile/Hope	327	(54)
Key topics: Jeremiah and the national crisis; destruction and exile; exile as historical and theological crisis; the image of Babylon; lament; hope in the midst of exile
Key texts: Jeremiah, Lamentations, Nahum, Habakkuk, Ezekiel, Isa 40--55
Wisdom, Order, Protest	381	(44)
Key topics: Wisdom theology
Key texts: Proverbs, Job, Ecclesiastes, selected psalms
New Life, Renewed Community, New Crises	425	(36)
Key topics: Return, the rebuilding of the temple, and the reconstitution of the community; torah and temple; identity and conflict in the community and among the nations; crisis and apocalyptic; the final shape of the Psalter
Key texts: 1--2 Chronicles, Ezra, Nehemiah, Remaining Minor Prophets, Isa 56--66, Song of Songs, Daniel, Ruth, Esther, selected psalms
Scripture Index	461	(14)
Topical Index	475

Excerpts

"The purpose of this second edition of this popular text is to help students come to a critically informed understanding of the Old Testament as the church's Scripture. Giving increased attention to issues related to gender, race, and class, the book introduces the Old Testament both as a witness of ancient Israel and as a witness to the church and synagogue through the generations of those who have passed these texts on as Scripture."--BOOK JACKET.