You’ve got to admit it. Sometimes the venerable New Studies in Biblical Theology (NSBT) series finds a niche in theology that you at once hadn’t thought of before and after reading wonder why we hadn’t already. There’s a case in point here. The New Testament is rife with passages that review Israel’s provocative story. So it must be profitable to weigh how the Apostles handled the use of that story, don’t you think?

Three scholars (Chris Bruno, Jared Compton and Kevin McFadden) joined hands to produce this work. Rather than a disjointed work arising from too many cooks in the kitchen this book succeeds as drawing on the the fact the authors have been buddies since elementary school. I guess they traded the former discussions of school, sports and games for those of the Apostles thundering on the Old Testament. Maybe it’s just me but thinking about the non-typical evolution of that circle of friends brings a smile.

To maximize their contribution, the authors offer a introductory chapter that lays out a case for the importance of their idea with their criteria for inclusion and methodologies for presentation. It made sense to me.

They begin quite naturally with Matthew and his obvious connection to the Old Testament with emphasis on his genealogy and the parable of the tenants. Next, they present Luke and Acts as the climax of the Apostles telling Israel’s story with Stephen and Paul’s masterful presentation of the story in Acts 7 and 13 respectively.

Chapters on what is found in Galatians, Romans and Hebrews follow in turn. Hebrews 11 is surely a favorite of many of us. There’s a fine conclusion that sews up this unique study. Mark this work down as one of the more imaginative ones in the series that also manages to add something tangible for us.

I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.