This volume is a substantial, in-depth introduction to the Old Testament by respected scholars Eugene Merrill, Mark Rooker, and Michael Grisanti. You can tell it aims beyond basic, beginning study as it has a less flashy look (there’s a place for those too) and much text to digest.

Three chapters lay out in a helpful fashion the world of the Old Testament. Historical and cultural aspects presented here moor the Old Testament days for us.

Chapters 5-9 cover the text of the OT and how it has been studied. In the process, you get quite a history of trends and the various critical methods that the OT has been subjected to. While some of us would find little value in that subject, it was written with purpose–to show how much OT study has run off the track with dubious critical approaches. So many available OT Introductions are infected with those methods and this serves as a powerful corrective.

Chapters 10-44 cover the books of the Old Testament. Some of the issues addressed above are discussed again in regards the individual book. Further the contents and theology are effectively presented. Though charts and maps are few, those presented are excellent.

To my mind, this is a fine asset to have and I plan to consult it in individual book study in the days to come.

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.

Here is a highly-respected reprint in paperback of a title by Gordon McConville on the Old Testament prophets. Covering both the Major and Minor Prophets, this book gives the extra coverage needed for an in-depth study of these special books of the Old Testament.

His brief Introduction establishes the issues involved in beginning study of the prophets and their place in the Bible. Then he launches into a chapter for each prophetic book of the Old Testament. Chapter length corresponds well to length of book.

He begins each study with a discussion of date and destination. Then he will delve into a critical interpretation of the book that will discuss several topics of the book at hand and provide something of a history of interpretation. Next he jumps into structure and outline and covers the contents of the book. He works around to theological themes and concluding topics. He gives a handy list for further reading too.

The book is helpful. He seems to have a little too much fascination with things like form criticism that many Bible students find of little value, but otherwise you will find help. It’s not one the flashy introductions aimed more at beginning students as it aims at someone with some theological training under his or her belt. I consider it a handy volume to add to my shelves.

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.

Craig Blomberg followed up his highly successful volume on the Gospels with this title that covers the rest of the New Testament. While it might not be as good as his earlier volume as the Gospels are clearly his specialty, this Introduction is still one I found to be quite an asset.

He presents his material in the typical style taking one NT book at a time. The length of his chapters varies in a fashion corresponding to the length and importance of the NT book discussed. He used good judgment and covered what should be there for us. In fact, pastors and Bible students will love it despite some occasional sidewalks into critical study that some of us put little stock into.

He gave some of his most helpful information when he discussed the structure of the book. I also felt the overview commentary on each book was quite effective in one getting his or her bearings straight. There were more maps than in his earlier volume and some of the charts provided were eye opening for the study of the NT books.

I highly recommend this as a worthy study tool!

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.

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Jesus and the Gospels (2nd ed.)

When it comes to New Testament Introduction, the Gospels are so critically important that they are definitely worth a whole volume to themselves. Blomberg has supplied that need as well as any. I read the first edition years ago and was particularly enriched by it. The second edition here is not an extensive revision, though that is a good thing as there are many things too helpful to be changed. The extra material is mostly scholarly developments over the decade between editions.

Part One is outstanding on the historical background including political, religious, and socioeconomic information. He related what you need to step back into that day. Part Two had two chapters on historical and literary critical methods. That was the weakest section to me as there are many elements of that I simply can’t agree with. Still, it was a thorough explanation for what has gone on in the scholarly world involving the Gospels.

Part Three gives a chapter each to specific Introduction for each Gospel. That was likely the section of greatest value for this book. His section on the life of Christ also integrates the individual Gospels approach to it. The final part on historical trustworthiness and theology round out the fine volume.

The book has won awards in the past and this reviewer finds them to be well deserved.

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.

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