OT Studies

 Getting more in tune with my OT studies.

Book Review: A Biblical-Theological Introduction to the Old Testament: The Gospel Promised

Sadly, many of us don't know our Old Testament. Moreover, we don't know the typologies, prophecies and other numerous connections to the New Testament. We live in an odd age where we have much information at our fingertips and we often choose to ignore it. A Biblical-Theological Introduction to the Old Testament: The Gospel Promised is a book not to be ignored.

This book walks the reader through the Old Testament offering an understanding many Evangelicals, many Christians, just don't have. It was penned for everyone from the layman to the pastor. Everyone can glean knowledge from this work. The authors are scholars and teachers, past and present, that know their subjects well. They have written in a clear, simple fashion, defining terms and footnoting heavily. Undoubtedly, this was written for the seasoned Christian and new believer alike.

Countless questions on the Old Testament are answered within these pages. If you don't realize many of these questions are issues perhaps you should begin reading BTIOT now.

How do we know these texts should be in the O.T. canon?
Who wrote these texts?
Which book is at the heart of the O.T.?
Why doesn't the book of Esther ever mention God?
What is the difference between Kings, Samuel and Chronicles? Are the differences important?
Why are there different genres within the O.T.?
Why should you read and study the most depressing book of the O.T., Lamentations?
What's the connection between Ezra, Nehemiah and Chronicles?

Yes each chapter contains book background, authorship info, key themes, excellent bibliography and extensive footnotes.

This one gets 5 out of 5 stars. Friends, it is time to start studying.

Crossway has provided a complimentary copy of this book through Beyond the Page.
other numerous connections to the New Testament. We live in an odd age where we have much information at our fingertips and we often choose to ignore it.

Christ in the Old Testament

Many of us really miss the point of the Old Testament. Its not a bunch of moralistic stories that can be repeated week after week to our kids in Sunday school. The point is Christ. The OT looks forward to Christ as we today look back. Scott Redd provides an excellent look into the nature of this issue. In part he states

The OT witness to Christ is as rich and varied as are all of the functions he performs. When evangelicals talk about Christ in the Old Testament, they tend to look for images, patterns, or outright anticipations of Christ's work of substitutionary atonement. Of course, Christ's work as once-and-for-all sacrifice is central to the Christian hope for salvation, but it only gets at part of the distinct and lordly character and work of the Son of God himself.
In fact, the New Testament claims that Christ fulfills the Old Testament in many ways. Just to name a few, Christ is:

• Old Testament covenant Lord (John 8:58; see also kurios as title for Christ)
• Sovereign eschatological king (Rev. 21:22)
• Key actor in creation (John 1:1-5 [Genesis 1])
• True Israel (Matt. 2:15 [Hos 11:1]; John 15:1-17)
• The temple of God (John 2:19-21)
• Restorer from exile (Matt 3:3 [Isa. 40:3; Mar 1:3; Luke 3:4; John 1:23])
• Final and authoritative prophet (Heb 1:2)
• Heir to the world (Heb 1:2; Ps 2:8)
• Sustainer of his people in wilderness (1 Cor 10:4 [Exod. 17:6])
• Foundation of human salvation (Acts 4:11 [Ps. 118:22])
• Wisdom teacher par excellence (Matt 12:42 [Luke 11:31])
• The very wisdom of God (1 Cor 1:23

Read the entire article and delve into the richness in Scripture that points to the Gospel.

Nancy Guthrie on the Book of Ruth

The three books she mentions at the outset of her lecture can be purchased here and here.

Preaching Christ from the Old Testament

Excellent discussion...

Christ from the Old Testament

A sermon that fails to preach Christ has failed. - David Murray

This is positively a must watch...

Daniel Study

We finish of our Old Testament study for now with the book of Daniel.

Ezekiel Study

We continue with our Old Testament studies with the book of Ezekiel. Be Blessed.



Lamentations Study

Redeemer's study on the Old Testament moves on this week to the book of Lamentations.

Jeremiah Study

The book of Jeremiah is next in our Old Testament survey...

Old Testament Survey - Isaiah Study

We press on with our survey of the Old Testament. This week we review the book of Isaiah.

Brief outline

Chapters 1-35 - Prophecy

Chapters 36-39 - History

Chapters 40-66 Comfort

 

Theme Verse

    Zion shall be redeemed by justice,
        and those in her who repent, by righteousness.
(Isaiah 1:27 ESV) 

What's all the fuss about the Old Testament?

What's all the fuss about the Old Testament? Graeme Goldsworthy sums up nicely the great import of studying and understanding the OT:

"As Christians we will always be looking at the Old Testament from the standpoint of the New Testament - from the framework of the gospel which is the goal of the Old Testament. But since the New Testament continually presupposes the Old Testament as a unity we, who are not acquainted with the Old Testament in the way the first Christians were, will be driven back to study the Old Testament on its own terms. To understand the whole living process of redemptive history in the Old Testament we must recognize two basic truths. The first is that salvation history is a process. The second is that this process of redemptive history finds its goal, its focus and fulfillment in the person and work of Christ." (Graeme Goldsworthy, Gospel and Kingdom, Paternoster Press, page 20, emphasis mine.)

Goldsworthy goes on to point out, rightfully I believe, that much of what we have today is a down-graded gospel that focuses on personal spiritual experience rather than on Jesus. "[The gospel] is the good news about Jesus, before it can become good news for sinful men and women. Indeed, it is only as the objective (redemptive-historical) facts are grasped that the subjective experience of the individual Christian can be understood." (page 21.)

Our focus should be on Christ, not ourselves. We therefore need to reorient our thinking on all the Scriptures and not just the New Testament. To see and try to live out our Christianity with little or no understanding of the Old Testament is like jumping to the middle of a novel. We can't expect to enjoy the book if we skip ove the first several chapters - important facts leading up to the culmination of the story are missing. So it is when we neglect the study of the Old Testament.

Allow me to suggest reading Goldsworthy's "Gospel and Kingdom" as a great starting point to gain understanding in this area. Tolle Lege

Applying the Old Testament Narrative

Just too good...

"Applying the Old Testament Narrative," by Rev. Dr. Phil Ryken from Westminster Theological Seminary on Vimeo.

Christ in the Old Testament

John Broadus

[In reading the Old Testament] you have learned that there is balm in Gilead, that there is a great Physician there; He has checked your fearful, mortal malady, and you shall live. You have looked to the brazen serpent, you are healed. You have sprinkled your door post with the blood of God’s atoning Lamb, and the angel of destruction will pass you by. You have fled to the city of refuge, and the destroyer cannot come near you. You have laid your sins by faith on your substitute and He has borne them away into the wilderness. You have bathed in the fountain that was opened in the house of King David for sin and for uncleanness, and the defilement of guilt has been washed away. You have brought to Jesus the writing that bound you as a servant of sin, and He has annulled it by nailing it to His cross.- John Broadus

The Old Testament as Key to Understanding the Book of Revelation

From the Bolton conference, Dr. Greg Beale's lecture, "The Old Testament as Key to Understanding the Book of Revelation." I thought this was outstanding...

Christ in the Old Testament - Nancy Guthrie

Great interview with a wonderful author...

Joshua to Esther Survey Week 1

Elder James Pavlic

We begin a new survey of Joshua to Esther this week. This first lesson introduces us to interpreting and understanding the Old Testament.