This Introduction provides a guide for reading the narrative sections of the Old Testament. It directs readers to the main reasons for telling these stories. Further, it considers the question whether there is a right or wrong way to read and use Bible stories. Finally, it reflects on how to read the narratives within the bigger picture of the Bible.
This article is about the relationship of the Old Testament to the New Testament, and the importance to study the Old Testament to understand the Christian message. The importance of a Christ-centered interpretation of the Old Testament is also stressed.
The Old Testament is a beautiful message of God’s love for his people, and forms the context for the saving work of Jesus Christ. The author describes how the history of the Old Testament Scripture is part of God’s beautiful revelation.
The modern church often shuts the Old Testament out of the church. This article discusses the reasons for this.
Need a quick summary of any or all of the books of the Old Testament? See what this article has to offer.
This article notes a shift in regard to the method concerning the study of the history of Israel (historiography). Previously the tendency was toward the study of theology and literary criticism. Historians entering the discussions now concentrate on socio-economic, anthropological and historiographic issues. The works of B. Halpern, R. Coote, and D.
The Bible is not a self-help guide, a religious encyclopaedia, a history textbook, a story, a legal code, a collection of ancient letters, or a religious handbook. Rather, the Bible is the testimony of God’s good news in Jesus Christ. The Introduction explores what it means to read the Bible to ascertain the main themes and theology of each book while also demonstrating that the Old Testament has a covenantal framework, a kingdom perspective, and Christ at its centre.
