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Introductions in Seven Sentences
The Old Testament in Seven Sentences: A Small Introduction to a Vast Topic
Some people find the Old Testament to be confusing, out of date, and essentially replaced by the New Testament. They are missing out. The Old Testament offers us a grand narrative that reveals God's work, God's purposes, and God's wisdom.
Christopher J. H. Wright fits the pieces together and shows us the coherent whole. Using seven key sentences drawn straight from the Old Testament, he connects the dots and points us toward Jesus.
• "In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth."
• "All peoples on earth will be blessed through you."
• "You shall have no other gods before me."
• "How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of him who brings good news."
Such sentences as these are not merely beautiful or helpful (though they are that). They are part of the great drama of Scripture, the story of God's plan of redemption that embraces all nations and the whole of his creation. Wright starts from the beginning, describing God's promises and covenants with his people and his mission to bless the world. At the end of this short survey, readers will clearly see God's faithfulness and love for his people and will understand how the Old Testament scriptures prepared for the identity and mission of Jesus as Messiah, Savior, and Lord.
Christopher J. H. Wright fits the pieces together and shows us the coherent whole. Using seven key sentences drawn straight from the Old Testament, he connects the dots and points us toward Jesus.
• "In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth."
• "All peoples on earth will be blessed through you."
• "You shall have no other gods before me."
• "How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of him who brings good news."
Such sentences as these are not merely beautiful or helpful (though they are that). They are part of the great drama of Scripture, the story of God's plan of redemption that embraces all nations and the whole of his creation. Wright starts from the beginning, describing God's promises and covenants with his people and his mission to bless the world. At the end of this short survey, readers will clearly see God's faithfulness and love for his people and will understand how the Old Testament scriptures prepared for the identity and mission of Jesus as Messiah, Savior, and Lord.
184 pages, Paperback
Published May 28, 2019
61 people are currently reading
180 people want to read
About the author
Christopher J.H. Wright
102 books207 followersChristopher J.H. Wright, (born 1947) is a Anglican clergyman and an Old Testament scholar. He is currently the director of Langham Partnership International. He was the principal of All Nations Christian College. He is an honorary member of the All Souls Church, Langham Place in London, UK.
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
January 23, 2021
Easy to read. Handily organized. A book that is helpful to someone looking for a clear, brief intro to the Old Testament.
August 24, 2024
it did what it set out to do. nothing more
December 6, 2019
Seven chapters, each covering a key verse which encapsulates a principle theme for the Old Testament.
Creation (Gen 1:1); Abraham (Gen 12:3); Exodus (Ex 20:2); David (1 Sam 13:14); Prophets (Micah 6:8); Gospel (Isa 52:7); Psalms and Wisdom (Ps 23:1).
Wright moves the reader through most of the Old Testament, continually drawing our eyes to Jesus as the fulfillment of the hopes of Israel. As an introduction, it is a good move to make it manageable by giving seven verses which can be easily memorized and this form the basis of a framework or scaffold on which to add further study.
Audience: probably late teens to college age or someone who is a new believer without a full understanding of the Old Testament storyline.
Creation (Gen 1:1); Abraham (Gen 12:3); Exodus (Ex 20:2); David (1 Sam 13:14); Prophets (Micah 6:8); Gospel (Isa 52:7); Psalms and Wisdom (Ps 23:1).
Wright moves the reader through most of the Old Testament, continually drawing our eyes to Jesus as the fulfillment of the hopes of Israel. As an introduction, it is a good move to make it manageable by giving seven verses which can be easily memorized and this form the basis of a framework or scaffold on which to add further study.
Audience: probably late teens to college age or someone who is a new believer without a full understanding of the Old Testament storyline.
August 2, 2025
I finished this a while ago sorry
May 29, 2019
When Christopher J.H. Wright produces a book, it will be worth checking out. Every book of his that I’ve read, whether it be a commentary or theological work, is simply above average. I think the reason he so often succeeds is that his scholarship on any issue involving the Old Testament can stand up against any other scholar’s work, yet his works possess a spirituality that few of them can match. Every time I read one of his works, I’m reminded of how much he possesses the flavor of his mentor, John Stott. Not that he just repackages Stott’s work, but he has that special gift to blend scholarship and spirituality that is too often lacking these days.
This work is a little different. Not in quality, but in what he usually writes. IVP has started publishing these books (I enjoyed the one on philosophy) and I assume a series may follow. As you can imagine, these books are more of a survey. In this case, we are getting our overview from seven key texts of the Old Testament. Both the number seven and the choice of texts are arbitrary, or at least debatable, but Mr. Wright has chosen as well as anyone could. What he did accomplish, though, is using these texts to cover more ground. For example, when he chose, “the Lord is my shepherd”, he covered what all the Psalms and wisdom writings are attempting to accomplish in the Old Testament. In other words, he pulled off this difficult writing assignment.
His choices were creation with Genesis 1:1, Abraham with Genesis 12:3, Exodus with Exodus 20:2, David with I Samuel 13:14, the prophets with Micah 6:8, gospel with Isaiah 52:7, and Psalms and wisdom with Psalm 23:1. As I said above, he covers much more ground than those texts suggest. To my mind, he chose these texts to unlock the larger narrative of each section of Scripture.
This book would be ideal for a Bible student’s first pass at surveying the Old Testament. Pastors might not need this book as much as others he has written but would probably be happy to put it in the hands of their people. Still, even the most seasoned Christian will find nuggets along the way in this winning volume.
I received this book free from the publisher. 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.
This work is a little different. Not in quality, but in what he usually writes. IVP has started publishing these books (I enjoyed the one on philosophy) and I assume a series may follow. As you can imagine, these books are more of a survey. In this case, we are getting our overview from seven key texts of the Old Testament. Both the number seven and the choice of texts are arbitrary, or at least debatable, but Mr. Wright has chosen as well as anyone could. What he did accomplish, though, is using these texts to cover more ground. For example, when he chose, “the Lord is my shepherd”, he covered what all the Psalms and wisdom writings are attempting to accomplish in the Old Testament. In other words, he pulled off this difficult writing assignment.
His choices were creation with Genesis 1:1, Abraham with Genesis 12:3, Exodus with Exodus 20:2, David with I Samuel 13:14, the prophets with Micah 6:8, gospel with Isaiah 52:7, and Psalms and wisdom with Psalm 23:1. As I said above, he covers much more ground than those texts suggest. To my mind, he chose these texts to unlock the larger narrative of each section of Scripture.
This book would be ideal for a Bible student’s first pass at surveying the Old Testament. Pastors might not need this book as much as others he has written but would probably be happy to put it in the hands of their people. Still, even the most seasoned Christian will find nuggets along the way in this winning volume.
I received this book free from the publisher. 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.
December 28, 2019
Every year or two where I serve as a minister, I try and preach through a short series of foundational lessons that help reground the more mature members of the group and provide a picture of the forest for the newer members. I've done different things in the past, but this year I decided to try and use a guideline. I've liked things that I've read from CJH Wright before quite well, so I picked this up (it also did double-duty because I've been considering using it as a text for a college freshman course I teach surveying the Old Testament).
The problem, for me, was that the volume was uneven. I absolutely loved the first chapter on Creation. I thought the second chapter on Promise was very good. And the third chapter on Exodus was solid. But each chapter felt marginally less good and--at least for my purposes--less useful. Now, part of this is because the volume is split between a theology of the OT text and a survey of the OT text. The first few chapters were more the former (and therefore more useful for what I was doing), whereas the second half of the volume was the latter (which is fine, but not what I was looking for).
I think that if you keep that in mind, it will be excellent. Three stars for the uneveness, but I think if you were looking for a very brief introduction to the OT to use for laymen, this would rank an extra star.
The problem, for me, was that the volume was uneven. I absolutely loved the first chapter on Creation. I thought the second chapter on Promise was very good. And the third chapter on Exodus was solid. But each chapter felt marginally less good and--at least for my purposes--less useful. Now, part of this is because the volume is split between a theology of the OT text and a survey of the OT text. The first few chapters were more the former (and therefore more useful for what I was doing), whereas the second half of the volume was the latter (which is fine, but not what I was looking for).
I think that if you keep that in mind, it will be excellent. Three stars for the uneveness, but I think if you were looking for a very brief introduction to the OT to use for laymen, this would rank an extra star.
February 13, 2021
(NOTE: I'm stingy with stars. For me 2 stars means a good book or a B. 3 stars means a very good book or a B+. 4 stars means an outstanding book or an A {only about 5% of the books I read merit 4 stars}. 5 stars means an all time favorite or an A+ {Only one of 400 or 500 books rates this!).
A very well written summary or overview of the Old Testament by selecting seven verses from the O.T.
A very well written summary or overview of the Old Testament by selecting seven verses from the O.T.
December 31, 2022
Wright distills decades of careful study of the Old Testament in this accessible, insightful, and delightful "small introduction." The book follows the narrative plotline, explaining how it all began, how it all went wrong, and how God worked through the family of Abraham to put things right again. Wright helpfully draws our attention to the covenants that each carry forward God's original redemptive promise to restore blessing to all nations. He masterfully summarizes vast swaths of narrative and prophetic material, always offering well-chosen excerpts that allow the reader to taste the biblical literature itself. Along the way, he keeps us looking forward to the Messiah who would come to represent and rescue his people Israel and open the way for all nations to inherit the blessings of God's chosen family.
This brief book is a great gift to those who want to enter the vast and complex story of God and his people, navigate its twists and turns, and appreciate its power and beauty all along the way.
This brief book is a great gift to those who want to enter the vast and complex story of God and his people, navigate its twists and turns, and appreciate its power and beauty all along the way.
December 9, 2019
The Old Testament can be intimidating and unwieldly, even to the well initiated. Chris Wright comes to our rescue by focusing on seven iconic verses that help us see the majestic vista of God’s work. From "In the beginning" to "The Lord is my Shepherd," Wright focuses on the grand themes of creation, Abraham, Exodus, David, prophets, gospel, and wisdom.
The author doesn't merely retell the story, he gives us its meaning and perspective. In the process he also appropriately notes how the Old Testament points to and is fulfilled in Christ.
With the companion volume by Gary Burge, The New Testament in Seven Sentences, we have a complete, brief, and readable overview of the Bible. The two books provide discussion questions for each chapter. Taking one a week, then, any church or small group could in under four months lift their heads to see the grand landscape that is God’s story.
The author doesn't merely retell the story, he gives us its meaning and perspective. In the process he also appropriately notes how the Old Testament points to and is fulfilled in Christ.
With the companion volume by Gary Burge, The New Testament in Seven Sentences, we have a complete, brief, and readable overview of the Bible. The two books provide discussion questions for each chapter. Taking one a week, then, any church or small group could in under four months lift their heads to see the grand landscape that is God’s story.
August 31, 2019
An excellent summary overview of the story of the Old Testament and done so in a rich, biblical-theological way. Wright honors the Christo-telic nature of the Old Testament without cheaply discounting the Old Testament story in its own immediate historical context.
I'm planning on using this text with a church Sunday School class. Helpfully, the back of the book features discussion questions from each chapter.
A wonderful addition to my library. I trust it will be a helpful resource for both new and seasoned students of the Scriptures.
I'm planning on using this text with a church Sunday School class. Helpfully, the back of the book features discussion questions from each chapter.
A wonderful addition to my library. I trust it will be a helpful resource for both new and seasoned students of the Scriptures.
June 24, 2019
Christopher Wright, if you haven't read him yet, is an excellent writer. This is a great summary of the metanarrative of the Old Testament in a way that deals (for what it is) comprehensively with the Old Testament and is quite accessible and easy to engage with. Recommended for beginners who want a sense of the Old Testament and more advanced readers/teachers looking for guidance in disseminating the vast forest of the Old Testament into a comprehensible and understandable whole.
November 14, 2023
This was a really helpful overview of the OT. It really makes sense to me now why the author says we are in one complete story starting with Genesis. I also gained understanding of the law and the role of it in God’s covenant with Israel. I better understand the relationship Israel had with God. I read this book for an OT Survey class but will definitely refer back to it. It’s so helpful to look at individual books as part of the big story and remember where they are at in the story.
July 29, 2025
I came across this book right after I finished my Old Testament survey classes for my seminary degree.
This book is a great book. It connects creation, covenants and the gospel as presented in the old testament. There are a few parts that the author expounds on longer than others, but it is still a good OT survey.
It has questions in the back that go with the chapters.
This book is a great book. It connects creation, covenants and the gospel as presented in the old testament. There are a few parts that the author expounds on longer than others, but it is still a good OT survey.
It has questions in the back that go with the chapters.
August 4, 2019
Wonderful way of seeing the whole Bible by taking 7 key verses as a way of seeing the big picture of the Bible. I loved the intentionality of encouaraging the reader to put down the book and read sections of the Bible as he discussed them.
April 6, 2022
A good entry level overview of the OT. It picks up the main themes in the storyline of the OT, and describes its works through the mountaintop moments. There are some good insights and it touches on all genres and nearly all books of the OT.
December 26, 2022
Another really book in the series "Introductions in Seven Sentences". Even though I've read the Old Testament multiple times the author does a great job of explaining what is going on along with the context.
March 16, 2024
I read this book for my Old Testament Survey course and found it wonderful! The writing is engaging but not overly focused on anecdotes. The best part is how often Dr. Wright ties everything back to Jesus. Great book! I highly recommend it! (It doesn't really read as a textbook)
October 23, 2024
A clear, sound introduction to the OT which would be a great resource for someone struggling with understanding the OT or for those who need to see the value it has for understanding God as well as the New Testament.
September 7, 2019
An excellent book that makes Wright's decades of study of the Old Testament accessible to those just starting out!
September 20, 2020
This is such a thoroughly solid book. i wish everyone who wonders what the OT is about (or even everyone who already loves the OT) would read it.
January 11, 2021
Useful primer for beginning to study the Old Testament, but I was disappointed at the omission of Ruth, Esther, and especially Song of Songs.
May 9, 2021
A clear & comprehensive overview of the story of the Old Testament.
May 24, 2021
Great OT overview - spelling out the metanarrative of the OT books. Very accessible.
November 2, 2021
Great book that is an easy read and gives a clear brief outline of the Old Testament.
February 21, 2022
A masterclass in summarising the big story of the Bible, using just seven Old Testament texts.
August 5, 2023
This is his most basic book… good for beginners.
December 18, 2021
I really struggled to rate this book.
I wanted it to tell me something new or exciting, but instead it reminded me of everything I already knew about the Bible. Chris Wright does a great job of summarizing the grand narrative of the Bible for someone who's moderately familiar with some stories in the Bible. However, he's very inconsistent with how much knowledge he assumes the reader has: sometimes he goes into excruciating detail about the most familiar stories while glossing over those that the average Sunday school attendee might never have heard of.
My biggest critique has to do with his theme. It seems that he chose seven sentences from the scripture (essentially randomly) so that he could make some nice cover art for the book. The sentences he chose seem to be shoehorned into his writing in a way that almost seems like an afterthought.
Finally, the level of writing in 95% of the book seems to be directed toward an 8th or 9th grade reading level, but sometimes he throws in words that send me (an 18th grader) to a dictionary. These were not technical or academic words, but words that could have been easily replaced with a more common synonym for a much better effect.
I'm really looking forward to reading Chris Wright's other, more serious and popular, works. He seems to be an insightful and informative Old Testament scholar with a passion for seeing the overarching message.
I wanted it to tell me something new or exciting, but instead it reminded me of everything I already knew about the Bible. Chris Wright does a great job of summarizing the grand narrative of the Bible for someone who's moderately familiar with some stories in the Bible. However, he's very inconsistent with how much knowledge he assumes the reader has: sometimes he goes into excruciating detail about the most familiar stories while glossing over those that the average Sunday school attendee might never have heard of.
My biggest critique has to do with his theme. It seems that he chose seven sentences from the scripture (essentially randomly) so that he could make some nice cover art for the book. The sentences he chose seem to be shoehorned into his writing in a way that almost seems like an afterthought.
Finally, the level of writing in 95% of the book seems to be directed toward an 8th or 9th grade reading level, but sometimes he throws in words that send me (an 18th grader) to a dictionary. These were not technical or academic words, but words that could have been easily replaced with a more common synonym for a much better effect.
I'm really looking forward to reading Chris Wright's other, more serious and popular, works. He seems to be an insightful and informative Old Testament scholar with a passion for seeing the overarching message.
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews