This book is right up my alley. There are a lot of Old Testament introductions on the market, but this volume is far better than a typical introduction. It almost has an intuitive sense of what is important and successfully pushes other things to the side. To be a work by so many writers, it’s hard to believe it could be as consistently good as it is.

They developed this biblical-theological idea and executed it beautifully. They had a goal of minimizing interactions with higher critical models, and they mostly were able to stick to it. Clearly, with a variety of authors, there will be places where one cannot agree. I’m probably in the minority, but I couldn’t follow them on the interpretation of Solomon’s Song. Still, though, the authors were united and holding to Christ being the glue that holds the Old Testament together. That fact alone makes this volume worth much more than so many others.

There is a nice introduction to this work that helps us see Christ as the center of the Old Testament with the thematic framework being the kingdom of God. This introduction can really help you see what you’re going to be getting throughout the work.

The rest of the book is individual chapters for each book of the Old Testament. I found so much wonderful help and very little throwaway material. Several chapters were fascinating. There were even a few helpful charts along the way. In one way or the other, every chapter is going to look at some key background issues, structure, and theology. It always ends with some connection to the New Testament. There’s even a nice bibliography for those who want to study further.

To my mind, this work is ideal. I can envision pulling it before every study of an Old Testament book. I can think of at least two books that tried an approach like this one, but this volume is more valuable by far. Make this one the one you grab first.

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.

Man, this series just keeps hitting home runs! The series as a whole is indispensable. As is often the case, here an important idea (this time its glory) has its vitalness unearthed. We know “glory” is important, but here we find out why. As is also consistent, we get it traced from Genesis to Revelation, from Creation to New Creation.

To be honest, though I probably use the word glory often, its meaning is a bit nebulous to me. I have an idea of what it means, but probably sound silly describing it. It’s much clearer to me now that Donnie Berry has produced this work.

I was helped in the Introduction as he biblically defined glory. The idea of “weightiness” resonated for me. In chapter one he clearly states the significance of glory in Creation. God gave us royal status and crowned us with glory. Page 23 is the first of a visual that he keeps tweaking to make his case. (I liked the triquetra). It’s a beautiful picture he draws.

As is always true in these biblical theology books, the profound impact of the Fall is brought to the fore. Glory did receive a blow there. He presents the Garden as a place to access God’s glory. Our choice now is if we express the authority given toward God’s glory or against it.

Leaving the Fall, the question becomes “can glory be restored?” Through Christ we come to Revelation seeing it absolutely can! That takes several chapters to work out in this book, but it is an enjoyable journey.

You can’t go wrong here!

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.