The Faith of Israel: A Theological Survey of the Old Testament (2nd Edition)

Publisher Description

For years, this comprehensive survey has introduced students and pastors to the theological emphases of the Old Testament. Revised throughout with substantial new material, this new edition updates the book for today's students.

Dumbrell traces the theological movement of each Old Testament book through the Hebrew canonical sequence of Law, Prophets, and Writings, "the manner in which Israel presented her faith." He not only brings forth insightful points and themes within each book, but he also makes original and refreshing connections to themes in other Old Testament books. This in turn leads to a discussion of the theology of the entire Old Testament canon.

"The authors of the biblical material had defined objectives in mind," writes Dumbrell. "The present work seeks to come to terms with such objectives and to present the theology underlying them." This book, then, shows how the Old Testament is not merely about ancient Israel or heroic individuals with exemplary morals. It is a book about God - his character, nature, and work in history. There are many ways to look at the Old Testament - survey the content, examine the historical movement, discuss critical issues - but this text discerns what the Old Testament says about God.

The Faith of Israel offers students and seminarians a comprehensive overview of the Old Testament that serves as a helpful complement to traditional survey texts. It is well-organized and divided into manageable sections, unified by an underlying theology that "God will not withdraw from his commitment to the world, a commitment given at creation and then affirmed through the call of Israel."

Author Information: William J. Dumbrell (Th.D., Harvard University) has taught at Moore Theological College in Sydney, Australia, Regent College in Vancouver, and Trinity Theological College in Singapore. He is the author of Covenant and Creation, The End of the Beginning, and The Search for Order.

Endorsements:
"All who care for high-grade canonical biblical theology should welcome Dumbrell's magnum opus. Clear and well-informed, thoroughly abreast of current scholarship, and full of good matter economically expressed, this is equally a textbook for students, a reference book for expositors and a guidebook for thoughtful laypeople who want to take the measure of the book of God. Dumbrell does the church masterful service in these close-packed, nutritious pages."

• J. I. Packer, Regent College

"The Faith of Israel is the best survey of the Old Testament, bar none. Professor Dumbrell not only describes the contents and literary structure of the text clearly and concisely, but does so on the basis of a biblical theology in which the historical progress of revelation, the covenants as key to the narrative plot structure, and the final shape of the Hebrew canon govern the interpretation and presentation. Here is an introduction in which the larger story of Scripture is the sole theological framework and worldview for understanding all its parts. Ideal for layman or pastor or college/seminary student."

• Peter J. Gentry, Southern Baptist Theological Seminary

"Dumbrell is a well-trained and highly seasoned scholar whose historical, exegetical, and theological skills are evident throughout this erudite volume. Every page has clear, careful explanations for those looking at the issues for the first time as well as cogent, well-documented arguments useful to the professional scholar. Dumbrell packs an enormous amount of theological acumen into the survey, paying constant attention to the great overall theological themes of Scripture, the individual theological details that give each passage and book their special value, and the historical-literary data. This is the very best sort of Old Testament survey - one that not only teaches facts about the Bible but also shows the purpose and meaning of what you are reading."

• Douglas Stuart, Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary

"A solid book by a seasoned author for those who are in danger of missing the forest for the trees. Dumbrell marches through each Old Testament book with phrases such as 'the point of the book,' 'the key themes of the book,' and 'the thrust of the section,' pausing now and again to savor some fascinating detail. Helpful to both novice and scholar, especially for the textual and theological interconnections to which he points."

• Elmer A. Martens, professor emeritus of Old Testament, Mennonite Brethren Biblical Seminary

352 pages, from Baker.