Fretheim presents here the Old Testament view of the Creator God, the created world, and our role in creation. Beginning with "The Beginning," he demonstrates that creation is open-ended and connected. Then, from every part of the Old Testament, Fretheim explores the fullness and richness of Israel's thought regarding creation: from the dynamic created order to human sin, from judgment and environmental devastation to salvation, redemption, and a new creation.
This book is outstanding. In our current polarizing cultural context it is nice to read a theological work from a Christian perspective that paints a hopeful picture of the future because it is rooted in the deep soil of creation. There are more than enough references to make this a valuable academic resource, but it is very accessible to the average readers who are simply looking for ways to discover ways to see God in new ways.
Fretheim is part of a scholarly circle that emphasize creation theology and its foundational importance to all study of Scripture. His commentary on Exodus (Interpretation series) is outstanding. Even if I do not agree with all of his conclusions, this work is a solid introduction into the precepts of creation theology and its implications. It has changed the way I view the entire Bible.
This is a deep analysis of the theme of "creation" (as a verb) in the Old Testament. The book is a bit tainted with ideas from process theology, but it is overall an excellent, confessional, and comprehensive exploration of the Old Testament through the lens of God-as-creator.