Book Review: How to Read Understand the Old Testament Prophets by Peter J. Gentry

Many Christians struggle to make sense of the Old Testament. If you fall into this camp, you're not alone. Its not easy, let's face it. Peter Gentry's new book, How to Read & Understand the Old Testament Prophets is a great read and one that can assist the Bible reader with comprehension of the O.T.

This is not a scholarly work. It is written in simple language that even the newest of believers will understand. It will open the door to some of the most difficult passages to wrap your head around and perhaps provide a new perspective on some of those same passages.

...reading and studying the Bible may not be straightforward for readers with a modern and Western background in culture and language. The biblical texts in origin are ancient and Eastern— they come from a different culture and a different time. Kindle Location 168). Crossway.

One of the highlights of the volume is acquiring an understanding of the difference between modern western literature and that of ancient Hebrew literature. There is a vast chasm between the two that most readers today are unaware of. Moreover, Hebrew authors employed the recursive approach.

The normal pattern of Hebrew literature is to consider topics in a recursive manner, which means that a topic is progressively repeated. Such an approach seems monotonous to those who do not know and understand how these texts communicate.  (Kindle Location 172). Crossway.

Grasping these two points will do much to enhance the reading and study enjoyment for the modern Bible reader.

As Gentry continues, he offers specific and valuable examples from the O.T., often from Isaiah. These examples will do much to increase the reader's grasp of the prophets. Word pairs, triplets, typology, metaphors, symbolic language and especially apocalyptic language are subjects covered with enough clarity that the reader will derive an enhanced ability to engage with the OT authors.

Of most import, why was this written for us? What was the ultimate purpose?

...one major purpose of the Old Testament prophets was to bring the people back to faithful love and loyalty to Yahweh in the covenant relationship established at Sinai (Exodus   19– 24) and renewed at Moab (Deuteronomy). (Kindle Locations 446-447). Crossway. 

I can recommend this book with great enthusiasm. Not all of Scripture is perspicuous and this book will be an indispensable aid to those who wish to delve further and more deeply in the study of the O.T.

Crossway has provided a complimentary copy of this book through Beyond the Page.


For further reading and study

Handbook on the New Testament Use of the Old Testament: Exegesis and Interpretation by G. K. Beale

Commentary on the New Testament Use of the Old Testament by D. A. Carson & G.K. Beale

Reading Luther - Best Recommendations

With the 500th anniversary of the Reformation upon us, below are some volumes that will help us get a grasp on Luther's theology.

Martin Luther: Selections From His Writing

Martin Luther's Basic Theological Writings

To the Christian Nobility of the German Nation, 1520: The Annotated Luther Study Edition

The Freedom of a Christian, 1520: The Annotated Luther, Study Edition by Martin Luther

The Babylonian Captivity of the Church, 1520: The Annotated Luther, Study Edition by Martin Luther

The 95 Theses (Annotated): Includes the Latin Original & Comprehensive Intro by Phillip Schaff

The Annotated Luther: The Roots of Reform

 

The Annotated Luther: Church and Sacraments

The Annotated Luther:Pastoral Writings: Pastoral Writings

The Annotated Luther: Christian Life in the World

The Interpretation of Scripture (The Annotated Luther)

The Small Catechism,1529: The Annotated Luther

The Bondage of the Will, 1525: The Annotated Luther

Get some of these under your belt and you'll be well on your way to a good understanding of Luther's theology.

Authors Dr. Carl Trueman and Dr. T. David Gordon speak on the Reformation

Authors Dr. Carl Trueman and Dr. T. David Gordon spoke at the recent Remembering & Renewing Reformation Conference in Hudson, Ohio. Click here for the audio and please share. Don't forget to check out their books, too.

Dr. Carl Trueman and Dr. T. David Gordon to Speak on the Reformation

Please join us...

Click here to register.

A Brief History of Sunday

A Brief History of Sunday is the latest from author Justo Gonzalez. Gonzalez has written numerous works on church history and this appears to be another worth while read. Watch the author interviews and see what you think.





More from the author.

The Story of Christianity Volume 1

 

 The Story of Christianity Volume 2

Book Review: ReSet: Living a Grace-Paced Life in a Burnout Culture by David Murray

I suppose it can happen to all of us. Well, it can happen to any of us - Burnout. Burnout can manifest itself in a number of ways and be triggered by a number of reasons. It's not black and white. It's multifaceted and can be affecting any of us without us realizing it, at least not a first. We may recognize many of the symptoms but be clueless to their origins and how we may resolve the issues we're experiencing.

Author David Murray, is a pastor, teacher, speaker, and blogger at headhearthand.org. Within the pages of ReSet he reveals the origins of burnout and as the reader progresses through the work is taught methods of effectively dealing with it. Murray calls it living the "Grace-paced life." We spend much time and effort in many worthwhile pursuits, but are they always beneficial?

Early on Murray calls the reader to a Reality Check as we miss many of the warning signs, Murray provides us with a list of warning signs to beware of or perhaps already experiencing. One should carefully review the warning signs and realize that part of the grace-paced life is slowing down from the "over-paced life."

In the following chapters Murray covers an array of areas wherein the reader should focus:

-What the cause(s) may be
-The need for sleep
-The need for routine mixed with play
-The need for exercise and rest and quietness
-Realizing our true identity
-The value of failure and the necessity to accept change
-Rethinking our purpose
-Eating right
-The need for proper and regular devotions

And much more.

Burnout is real and can affect any of us differently. My suggestion is to take this book seriously and consider the implications on your life. Consider if you are burned out. Murray offers much sound biblical advice from his own life experiences and from those he has counseled. I firmly commend this book to all men, especially those who are weary. There is much hope and value to be gleaned from its pages.

David Murray is also the author of Christians Get Depressed, Too and Jesus On Every Page. I can heartily recommend both of these works to the reader as well.

Crossway has provided a complimentary copy of this book through Beyond the Page.