[Exploring the Old Testament] [By: Ernest Lucas] [January, 2003]

by Ernest Lucas

The Psalms and Wisdom Literature is one of six textbooks covering the Old and New Testaments, all written by authors who have extensive experience of teaching students in their first two years of university-level study. This book offers an exploratory approach that enables students to engage with the text for themselves, and not simply to be passive learners. It provides activities and challenges at introductory and intermediate levels, the key background information needed to work at the required level, and ideas for further theological thought and reading. Students will the kind of literature they are dealing with; the major questions in the scholarly study of these books; the structure and purpose of the books; the major themes and theology of each book; issues for today arising from each area of study. 'A study of the prophets that will serve admirably as a textbook for a class or a resource for individual study. I recommend this book highly to all who want to learn more about this important part of Hebrew Scriptures'. Tremper Longman III, Robert H. Gundry Professor of Biblical Studies, Westmont College 'I have found the range of topics treated by Lucas enormously impressive. From all the usual introductory topics through to detailed guidelines for interpretation, students will find here admirable summaries of the main scholarly views together with sensible comments to help evaluate them. I know of no other textbook on the Psalms and Writings that will service its intended readership so helpfully'. Professor H.G.M. Williamson, Regius Professor of Hebrew, University of Oxford Comments on Exploring the Old The 'It fulfils superbly its aim of making the prophets accessible to the student reader' Professor Robert P. Gordon, University of Cambridge

Paperback

First published October 9, 2003

About the author

Faraday Institute profile

Ernest Lucas has an MA in Chemistry from Oxford University and a PhD in Chemistry from the University of Kent. He did post-doctoral work in biochemistry in the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill and Oxford University before studying Theology at Oxford. After being ordained as a Baptist Minister he was minister of Baptist churches in Durham City and Liverpool. He obtained a PhD in Oriental Studies from Liverpool University. He was Associate Director of the Institute for Contemporary Christianity in London before moving to Bristol Baptist College (an affiliated college of Bristol University) where he was Vice-Principal and Tutor in Biblical Studies until he retired in 2012. He is an Honorary Research Fellow in Theology and Religious Studies in the University of Bristol. The course he taught on Science and Christianity received a Templeton award, as has a paper he has published on Science, Wisdom, Eschatology and the Cosmic Christ.

He is married to Hazel, a physics teacher, and they have two sons.