Toward Rediscovering the Old Testament by Walter C. Kaiser Jr.

Toward Rediscovering the Old Testament by Walter C. Kaiser Jr.

Develop a deeper and more practical understanding of the Hebrew Scriptures with Toward Rediscovering the Old Testament by respected biblical scholar Walter C. Kaiser Jr. This concise and thought-provoking study examines important questions surrounding Old Testament authority, theology, interpretation, and application for the church today.

Rather than treating the Old Testament as disconnected from Christian faith and practice, Kaiser explores its essential place within the whole counsel of Scripture. He identifies long-standing challenges in Old Testament study and presents carefully reasoned models and solutions designed to help pastors, teachers, students, and serious Bible readers approach the text with greater confidence.

Major Areas of Study

The book is organized around three broad areas that are essential to understanding and applying the Old Testament:

• The Old Testament and Scholarship
• The Old Testament and Theology
• The Old Testament and Life

Questions Explored in This Book

• What makes the thirty-nine books of the Old Testament authoritative for the church?
• How much continuity and discontinuity exists between the Old and New Testaments?
• Did Old Testament writers consciously anticipate the Messiah?
• Were the object and method of salvation the same in both Testaments?
• What was the Old Testament believer's experience of the Holy Spirit?
• How should Christians teach and preach from the prophetic books?
• What does the Old Testament contribute to the biblical foundation for missions?
• How should Old Testament theology influence Christian doctrine and practice?

Features

• Concise introduction to major areas of Old Testament study
• Addresses more than two dozen important theological and interpretive questions
• Examines the authority and continuing relevance of the Old Testament
• Explores the relationship between the Old and New Testaments
• Discusses messianic expectation and salvation in the Hebrew Scriptures
• Provides guidance for teaching and preaching from Old Testament passages
• Connects Old Testament scholarship with Christian doctrine and daily life
• Written by respected Old Testament scholar Walter C. Kaiser Jr.
• Suitable for pastors, teachers, ministry leaders, students, and serious Bible readers

Why You'll Appreciate This Book

Understanding the Old Testament affects nearly every area of biblical study, Christian doctrine, teaching, preaching, and discipleship. This book helps readers recognize that the Old Testament is not merely background material for the New Testament, but an indispensable part of God's revealed Word.

Kaiser's approach is scholarly without being unnecessarily inaccessible. He defines major interpretive problems, explains why they matter, and proposes practical ways to address them. This makes the book especially useful for readers who want to strengthen their biblical foundation without beginning with an oversized technical reference work.

Ideal For

• Pastors and ministry leaders
• Sunday school and Bible teachers
• Seminary and Bible college students
• Old Testament survey courses
• Church and ministry libraries
• Sermon and lesson preparation
• Small-group leaders
• Serious personal Bible study
• Readers exploring biblical theology
• Anyone seeking to understand the continuing relevance of the Old Testament

About the Author

Walter C. Kaiser Jr. is a respected Old Testament scholar, author, and educator. He served as distinguished professor emeritus of Old Testament and president emeritus of Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary. His many books have helped pastors, students, teachers, and Bible readers better understand biblical interpretation, Old Testament theology, messianic prophecy, and the unity of Scripture.

Product Details

• Full Title: Toward Rediscovering the Old Testament
• Author: Walter C. Kaiser Jr.
• Publisher: Zondervan Academic
• Publication Date: August 31, 1991
• Format: Softcover
• Language: English
• Recommended Age Group: Adult
• Number of Pages: 224
• Dimensions: 9" high x 6" wide x 0.63" deep
• Weight: Approximately 0.62 lb
• ISBN-13: 9780310371212
• ISBN-10: 031037121X

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Toward Rediscovering the Old Testament about?

This book examines major issues in Old Testament scholarship, theology, interpretation, and Christian application. Walter C. Kaiser Jr. identifies important challenges and offers models for understanding the Old Testament as an authoritative and essential part of Scripture.

Who is this book written for?

It is written for pastors, teachers, ministry leaders, seminary and Bible college students, and serious Bible readers who want to understand the Old Testament more clearly and apply it more faithfully.

Is this an Old Testament survey?

Not in the traditional book-by-book sense. Instead, it addresses major theological and interpretive issues that influence how readers understand, teach, and apply the Old Testament.

Does the book discuss the relationship between the Old and New Testaments?

Yes. One of its major concerns is the continuity and discontinuity between the two Testaments, including questions of salvation, messianic expectation, the Holy Spirit, doctrine, and Christian application.

Does it address messianic prophecy?

Yes. Kaiser considers whether Old Testament writers consciously anticipated the Messiah and how messianic expectation should be understood within the Old Testament itself.

Is this book useful for sermon preparation?

Yes. It includes discussion of how Christians can teach and preach from Old Testament texts, including the prophetic books, while respecting their original context and theological message.

Is this book appropriate for beginners?

It is accessible to thoughtful readers, but it deals with substantial theological and interpretive questions. A beginner with a strong interest in biblical studies can benefit from it, while pastors, teachers, and students may gain the most from its academic focus.

Does this book explain every book of the Old Testament?

No. It focuses on major themes, interpretive problems, and theological questions rather than offering a commentary or chapter-by-chapter explanation of every Old Testament book.

How is the book organized?

The material is arranged in three major sections: the Old Testament and scholarship, the Old Testament and theology, and the Old Testament and life.

Why is understanding the Old Testament important for Christians?

The Old Testament provides the theological, historical, covenantal, and prophetic foundation for the New Testament. Understanding it helps readers interpret Christian doctrine, the mission of God, messianic expectation, salvation history, and the unity of Scripture more carefully.

Strengthen Your Understanding of the Hebrew Scriptures

Toward Rediscovering the Old Testament offers a focused and challenging introduction to questions that shape how the Old Testament is understood and applied. It is a valuable addition to the library of any pastor, teacher, student, or Bible reader seeking a stronger foundation in Old Testament theology and interpretation.