An Introduction to the Old Testament: Exploring Text, Approaches & Issues

by John E. Goldingay

Enter the classroom of John Goldingay, one of today's premier biblical interpreters, and begin the adventure of exploring the Bible's First Testament. Some Old Testament introductions tell you what you could have seen for yourself. They might recount in detail what other scholars have said, and then tell you what you should think about it. But with refreshing directness, John Goldingay outfits you with basic knowledge, points out the main approaches, outlines the primary issues and then sets you loose to explore the terrain for yourself. Traverse the grand tapestry of the Torah. Discern the art and grain of biblical narrative. Listen to the cries, confessions and cadences of the Psalms. Probe the varied textures of wisdom literature. And ponder the prophets in the darkening nightmare of exile and the distant light of hope. More workbook than handbook, this introduction to the Old Testament is rooted in decades of tried and proven teaching. Goldingay displays a robust confidence in the truthfulness of Scripture combined with a refreshing trust in the reader's ability to grapple responsibly with the Old Testament. Even when the text hits you sideways, Goldingay encourages you not to squirm or run, but to grab hold and go deeper. Under his expert guidance the cordon between faith and criticism swings open into theological and spiritual insight.

Genres: Old Testament, Theology

400 pages, Hardcover

First published November 2, 2015

About the author

John Goldingay is David Allan Hubbard Professor of Old Testament at Fuller Theological Seminary in Pasadena, California. An internationally respected Old Testament scholar, Goldingay is the author of many commentaries and books.

Reviews

[John Kight · Rating 5 out of 5]

John Goldingay (PhD, University of Nottingham; DD, Archbishop of Canterbury at Lambeth) is David Alan Hubbard Professor of Old Testament at Fuller Theological Seminary. Goldingay is the author of numerous books, including the seventeen-volume Old Testament for Everyone series (Westminster John Knox, 2010-15), The Theology of the Book of Isaiah (IVP, 2014), Do We Need the New Testament? Letting the Old Testament Speak for Itself (IVP, 2015), and the three-volume Old Testament Theology (IVP, 2003-09). Furthermore, Goldingay has also published a number of highly respected commentaries and a host of articles pertaining to the sphere of Old Testament studies. Most recently, An Introduction to the Old Testament: Exploring Text, Approaches & Issues (IVP, 2015), Goldingay has brought the lively and informative conversations of his classroom to the everyday reader.

Part of the difficulty with the current landscape of introductory material on the Old Testament is that it generally overlooks the necessary balance between engaging the reader and instructing them in the areas of information they need. There are certain topics that the instructor needs to address in detail, and others that they do not. Moreover, for the student, there are particular issues and topics that perk their interest and others that may not. Finding the proper balance between “need to know” and “want to know” is a difficult task, but it is essential if one is going to fully engage others in the learning process. It is within this need and reality that An Introduction to the Old Testament shines the brightest, as it executes this balance with intentional precision.

There are several unique features that make An Introduction to the Old Testament more accessible in this manner. For the sake of space here, I will list two. First, rather than operating within the traditional chapter divisions, Goldingay has designated separate two-page sections for each topic addressed within the five major sections of the book — (Part I) Introduction, (Part II) Torah, (Part III) The Prophets, (Part IV) The Writings, and (Part V) Looking Back over the Whole. This attention to detail makes the content more digestible and accessible for the average reader. Second, to supplement these smaller sections, Goldingay has provided the reader with a whole host of additional material and expanded discussions at his website. Thus, at the end of each major division the reader will find a dedicated section entitled “Web Resources” where they can further investigate related issues. This is a great feature and it really allows the reader to plunge as deep as they desire, into whatever area they desire, and come out on the other side with a better understanding of the material.

An Introduction to the Old Testament: Exploring Text, Approaches & Issues by John Goldingay is an excellent guide through the deep trenches of the Old Testament Scriptures. Goldingay is a seasoned professor and has provided the reader with a welcomed balance between the “need to know” information of the Old Testament and the “want to know” information. Moreover, he has presented it in an easily digestible layout and provided the reader additional avenues to further pursue other topics of interest. For these reasons and more, An Introduction to the Old Testament is an easy recommendation for anyone looking to explore the Old Testament. But, more specifically, if you are a teacher and/or professor and are considering the use of An Introduction to the Old Testament as a textbook, I couldn’t think of a better resource to engage your students and cultivate conversation in your classroom than this. It comes highly recommended.

I received a review copy of this book in exchange for and honest review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

[Zach Waldis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent, brief guide through the Hebrew Bible. Perfect resource for undergrad or beginning students or for a busy pastor who wants to catch up on the bulk of material in the Bible.

[Rachelle Clair · Rating 5 out of 5]

This textbook brings theology students into the conversations happening behind closed doors in Old Testament departments of seminaries across the globe. Dr. Goldingay's engaging manner of writing easily confers complex subject material to his students. This is an excellent resource for anyone who has questions when reading the Old Testament. Although he doesn't claim to have all the definitive answers, Dr. Goldingay does a wonderful job of presenting a spectrum of responses and general consensuses of different topics in a way that's helpful for readers to place themselves in the conversation and make the content relevant to their own context.

[Sooho Lee · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a superb primer into oft-forgotten-and-misunderstood Old Testament texts! John Goldingay, David Allen Hubbard Professor of Old Testament, renders an accessible work that summarizes texts, offers approaches, and covers issues with such brevity and clarity. The format, though not in depth per se, is a fresh welcome for those who are easily discouraged by academic jargon and layout: Goldingay tries to limit himself to two pages for each topic. For those just genuinely curious about the Old Testament, this is a great place to start. 

cf. www.sooholee.wordpress.com

[Greg · Rating 1 out of 5]

The layout of the book is great. My problems with it lie more with differences from the authors view to a more fictional reading of the Bible and a literal view. It was challenging to read and it opened me up to opposing viewpoints, but I could never recommend it or probably anything from Dr. Goldingay.

[Graydon Jones · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great introduction to the Old Testament. Very readable, interesting, organized, and insightful.

[William · Rating 4 out of 5]

John Goldingay (PhD, University of Nottingham; DD, Archbishop of Canterbury at Lambeth) is a David Alan Hubbard Professor of Old Testament. With his vast number of publications, many of which are about Old Testament theology for the everyday reader, an introduction to the Old Testament through the lens of scholarly debates is no surprising addition to his impressive record. Rather than focusing on providing a textbook for Old Testament, he aims his writing towards non-academic lay people. In doing so, he provides a valuable tool for Old Testament readers and enables them to easily grasp the environment of the Old Testament books. He also provides simple introduction to the vast amount of scholarly consensus and debate surrounding the Old Testament. In effect, his work enables lay people to engage with the Old Testament in order for them to see what it says.

His introductory book is divided into five parts. Part One introduces the Old Testament and major scholarly issues surrounding the layout and composition of the entire Old Testament. Parts Two through Four are similar to Part One. However, they focus more directly on the Torah, Prophets, and Writings, introducing major scholarly and historical issues along with the layout and composition. Part Five wraps up by summarizing a few major issues that hold the Old Testament in unity and continuity with New Testament literature.

Most notable is the chapter divisions. Rather than operating traditionally with a lengthy chapter, Goldingay organizes the book in two page portions. So, Part One, for example, has 18 portions, 1.01-1.18. Every Part of the book is structured in this manner. Because each portion is so brief, the reader, especially the lay reader, is not overwhelmed with data and “scholarly stuff”. Yet the reader still has the opportunity to attain a basic grasp of scholarly issues. This is how his whole book is structured and it permits the reader to approach with ease, not demanding lengthy focus. Additionally, Goldingay provides more resources online for each Part, specifically noting in the preface that questions should be emailed to him. Thus, he recognizes that he does not necessarily answer all questions within his work and desires readers to engage with him in order to improve their own reading of the Old Testament.

Overall, his work is accessible to any reader and quite valuable to lay people who read the Hebrew Bible. While some may disagree to certain nuances with which he writes, such as the role of the Holy Spirit in reading the Old Testament or occasional comments on the Old Testament greatly influenced by the New Testament, it is an important book. He introduces scholarly issues with succinctness and simplicity. Rather than being a “textbook”, An Introduction to the Old Testament is more akin to a sidekick for a devotional or Bible study. It is certainly a valuable addition for lay people attempting to more fully understand the Hebrew Bible.

[Andrew · Rating 4 out of 5]

Without understanding the Old Testament, the New Testament is two dimensional. Yet many people function with half a Bible, scared off by mysterious prophecies and confusing histories full of strange names. What to do?

If you’ve got a basic background in the Old Testament but you want something slightly more advanced that is accessible and not technical, John Goldingay’s An Introduction to the Old Testament would be a great option. A number of features make the book very attractive.

First, the entire book is laid out in easy-to-digest two-page spreads. Every topic is covered quickly and clearly. It gets to the point.

Second, Goldingay offers a casual tone, contrary to many academic books of its type. When talking about Job, Proverbs and Ecclesiastes, for example, he says, “The sayings of the wise are like spurs [which] propel a horse forward, but these sayings make a reader say, ‘Ouch! I wish you hadn’t said that.’ ”

Another helpful feature is that the author doesn’t always tell you everything he thinks. Rather he often provides a series of questions readers are invited to work through themselves, sending them back into the text so they can draw their own conclusions.

In addition, abundant online resources which go along with the book are available for free. I didn’t look at all of it, but the material is so extensive you probably get a second book of the same length for no extra cost. And the author continues to update and add material to these web resources. As he says, “If that process stops, it means I’ve died or gone gaga.”

Some readers will be unhappy that Goldingay at times doesn’t hold with conservative views of dating Old Testament books, but that doesn’t diminish his respect for their authority. Nor does it reduce the book’s overall value. While designed for students in the classroom, this a handbook and workbook that can help the rest of us get a solid hold of the other half of our Bibles.