Messianic Revelation in the Old Testament

by Gerard Van Groningen

Books by evangelical scholars on messianism in the Old Testament are either outdated, too brief, or lack balance,"" observes the author. Messianic Revelation in the Old Testament represents the most thorough, conservative analysis of the century. Van Groningen traces the messianic expectation as it is progressively revealed in the Hebrew Scriptures. He first introduces the messianic concept, defining its terms and uncovering its source. He finds these messianic presentations rooted in, and shaped by, divine revelation. The major part of this volume explores messianism's philological, historical, and theological aspects. The result of this study,"" writes the author, reveals that the messianic concept refers to a royal-priestly-prophetic person...and his work."" Passages that deal with these messianic motifs have been selected for close scrutiny and evaluation."" The author believes that a correct understanding of messianism in the Old Testament requires a balanced hermeneutical approach - from exegeting the relevant texts and studying their historical context to interpreting prophecy and organizing its theological truths. In the words of the author, To omit one [element] is to do injustice to the Old Testament."" Van Groningen has included an extensive bibliography of both books and articles for those wishing to pursue additional study. A Scripture index helps one to locate the author's exegetical insights on various passages. An index of persons concludes the work.

1018 pages, cloth

First published June 1, 1990

About the author

Now retired, Gerard Van Groningen has taught Old Testament for over thirty years on both the college and seminary level, holding posts at Reformed Theological College in Australia; Dordt College, Reformed Theological Seminary and Covenant Theological Seminary in the United States; and Andrew Jumper Theological Graduate Center in Brazil. A graduate of Calvin College and Seminary, he holds a master's in theology from Westminster Seminary and a Ph.D. from the University of Melbourne.

Reviews

[Michael Walker · Rating 2 out of 5]

Reformed perspective, 2 volumes. Van Groningen was past president of Trinity Christian College in Palos Heights, IL, professor at Reformed institutions in MS, MO, and Australia, and a pastor. This exhaustive (exhausting?) work could be greatly pared down if the author kept closer to his topic; he tends to veer off into subjects perhaps better left to a book on Reformed systematic theology. Extremely thorough.