been organized based on Old Testament themes arranged to follow the general storyline of the Old Testament as it appears in the protestant canon with two additional chapters discussing Old Testament theology in light of the contemporary interests in the increasing influence of multiethnic discourse and the growing influence of digital technologies in today’s world. Themes will be addressed through a broad, synthetic treatment of the theme and its appearance throughout the Old Testament, as well as through a more focused treatment of the theme within a key passage in which the topic is developed. The theme will then be discussed in relation to the New Testament with a particular emphasis placed on the relation of these themes to the gospel. Finally, each chapter will examine the implications for the modern-day believer and community of faith.
The thematic chapters are arranged with the intention of communicating the storyline of the Old Testament. Chapter 2 addresses the Old Testament’s treatment of creation with an exegesis of Genesis 1. This discussion of creation is followed by the ancillary themes of “abundance and faithfulness” (chapter 3), structural evil (chapter 4), and covenant (chapter 5). These four chapters provide an overview of the primordial history and transition into the patriarchal age with the formation of the covenant. This portion of the Old Testament theology seeks to establish a basis for understanding God as benevolent creator whose love and care for His creation endures despite human rebellion.
Chapters six through nine address themes deriving from Israel’s initial liberation from Egypt (chapter 6) to the establishment of God’s temple (chapter 9) with intervening chapters related to Torah (chapter 7) and the messiah in the psalter (chapter 8). These themes were chosen as they represent key events in the formation of the nation of Israel and the definition of Israel’s relationship to God. This section of this book demonstrates the distinct character of God as Sovereign over Israel, as well as the potential for Israel to live a unique, God-empowered life with God amongst the nations through obedience to God’s commands.
The final thematic section discusses the enduring presence of God among his people (chapter 10), as well as the sort of loyalty and trust required of God’s people during times of turmoil and transition (chapter 11). Human suffering (chapter 12) will be examined alongside the themes of hope (chapter 13) and renewal (chapter 14). This final thematic section demonstrates God’s continued presence with His people despite difficult circumstances. It also addresses the manner in which God safeguards His people in order to usher in renewal.
Following the thematic section, the multiethnic church and the impact of the digital age will be addressed. “Old Testament Theology for a Multiethnic Church” will offer an introductory exploration of the possibilities and challenges of involving global voices in the task of Old Testament theology. The chapter focuses Old Testament theology as an academic field offering possibilities for stronger connections between the church and the academe.
“Old Testament Theology and the Digital Age” will explore the ways in which the thinking and learning is changing in the digital age and the manner in which these changes influence Old Testament theology. The rise of digital natives and digital immigrants has introduced new cultural perspectives and means of communication that may inform the presentations, if not the methods, of Old Testament theologians. Digital natives have a seemingly limitless amount of information at their fingertips. The potential benefits and pitfalls of such access are explored in this final chapter.
Old Testament Theology provides an often undervalued role in the life of the church. The Old Testament’s portrayal of God provides a rich picture of God’s interactions with his fallen creation while anticipating the redemption of that creation in the New Testament. Any treatment of Old Testament theology must surely acknowledge the unique witness of Old Testament, as well as the Old Testament’s connection to the New Testament. As Seitz notes, “The Old Testament tells a particular story about a particular people and their particular God, who in Christ we confess as our God, his Father and our own, the Holy One of Israel. We have been read into a will, a first will and testament, by Christ.”10 The Old Testament is not a book foreign to the Christian faith, but an integral part of that faith. It is not a book set apart, but an essential chapter in the full story of God and His people. In this sense, the study of Old Testament theology must maintain a highly Christian character deeply rooted in the contemporary church.
Bibliography for Continued Study
Adam, Peter. Hearing God’s Words: Exploring Biblical Spirituality. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity, 2004.
Kaiser, Walter C., Jr. “A Principlizing Model.” In Four Views on Moving beyond the Bible to Theology, 19–50. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2009.
Goldingay, John. Old Testament Theology: Israel’s Gospel. Downers Grove, IL: Inter-Varsity, 2015.
Goldsworthy, Graime. Gospel-Centered Hermeneutics: Foundations and Principles of Evangelical Biblical Interpretation. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity, 2010.
Olick, Jeffrey K. States of Memory: Continuities, Conflicts, and Transformations in National Retrospection. Durham: Duke University Press, 2003.
Ollenburger, Ben C. Old Testament Theology: Flowering and Future. Winona Lake, IN: Eisenbrauns, 2016.
Sheriffs, Deryck. Friendship of the Lord. 1996. Eugene, OR: Wipf & Stock, 2004.
Seitz, Christopher R. Figured Out: Typology and Providence in Christian Scripture. Louisville: Westminster John Knox, 2001.
———. Word without End: The Old Testament as Abiding Theological Witness. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2002.
Vanhoozer, Kevin J. The Drama of Doctrine: A Canonical Linguistic Approach to Christian Doctrine. Louisville: Westminster John Knox, 2005.
Williams, Rowan. On Christian Theology. Oxford: Blackwell, 2000.
Zimmerli, Walther. Old Testament Theology in Outline. Translated by Davied E. Green. Louisville: Westminster John Knox, 1978.
1. Zimmerli, Old Testament Theology, 12. For examples of the various methods used in the production of Old Testament theology up to the early 2000s, see Ollenburger, Old Testament Theology.
2. While principles do arise from the biblical text, there can be a tendency to separate principles from the theological context of the broader Israelite narrative. For instance, the rationale behind the prohibition against muzzling oxen while they are treading grain is that Israel has a God willing and able to supply for the needs of the community. Allowing oxen to eat while treading grain is a theological act which recognizes and proclaims God’s sufficiency. There is not so much a general principle here as there is an understanding of God that has implications for particular acts within the context of the Israelite community and, later, for the church in Corinth (1 Cor 9:9–12). Contrast this reading with that offered by Kaiser, “A Principlizing Model,” 7–8.
3. Williams, On Christian Theology, xiii.
4. Barr as quoted in Seitz, Figured Out, 5.
5. Goldsworthy, Gospel-Centered Hermeneutics, 19.
6. Goldingay, Old Testament Theology, 28.
7. Vanhoozer, The Drama of Doctrine, 31.
