Knowing God Through the Old Testament: Three Volumes in One

by Christopher J.H. Wright

Combining three volumes into one, Knowing God Through the Old Testament brings together three of Christopher J. H. Wright's best loved Knowing God the Father Through the Old Testament, Knowing Jesus Through the Old Testament, and Knowing the Holy Spirit Through the Old Testament. Knowing God the Father Through the Old Testament explores images that pervade the biblical narratives, psalms, and prophetic texts of the Old Testament. God is acknowledged as tender yet terrifying, challenging to the nations, and yet intimately personal, offering loving care, provision, discipline, and forgiveness. This is the God whom Jesus knew, and whom we can know, as Father. Knowing Jesus Through the Old Testament uncovers Jesus' self-understanding as Son of Man and Son of God from his deep roots in the Hebrew Scriptures. As the Jesus who fulfilled the mission that God had given to Israel is revealed, we discover that the more we understand the Old Testament, the closer we come to the heart of Jesus. Knowing the Holy Spirit Through the Old Testament traces the Holy Spirit through the pages of the Old Testament. We see the Third Person of the Trinity in the decrees of prophets and psalmists, in the actions of judges and craftspeople, in the anointing of kings, and the promise of a new creation. The witness of the whole of Scripture directs us to a Holy Spirit empowering the people of God, and sustaining and renewing the face of the earth. This three-volume work will strengthen and deepen readers' personal relationships with the triune God by enabling them to know him through deep immersion and engagement with his Word, especially in the less familiar voices of the Old Testament. This is a voyage of biblical discovery, crossing many horizons and exploring especially the sources of our knowledge of God the Holy Trinity—Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

Genres: Theology, Christian, Biblical Studies, Christianity, Old Testament

539 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 5, 2019

About the author

Christopher 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.

Reviews

[Jimmy Reagan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Having three titles by Christopher J. H. Wright between the covers of one attractive hardback is a treat indeed. I’ve found all his writings to be theologically perceptive, devotionally warm, and personally helpful. He reminds me much of his mentor, John Stott, only that the Old Testament is his specialty while Stott’s was the New Testament. That’s not to say that he mimics him in any way, just that he writes with that same spiritual penetration. The scholarship is always topnotch, but the spiritual concerns just rank a little higher—as of course they should.

These three titles deserve to be together. You can figure that out by the titles alone. Knowing God the Father Through the Old Testament, Knowing Jesus Through the Old Testament, and Knowing the Holy Spirit Through the Old Testament weave together perfectly to take the role of each member of the Trinity as revealed in the Old Testament in this compilation.

The book on Jesus was the first title written back before it became apparent that he would pen the trilogy. It has been popular enough to call for the second edition in 2014, which is the edition here. The latter two books were originally published by publishers other than IVP. This edition will the one you will want for all three titles.

Since I happened to be studying the doctrine of the Holy Spirit, I really dug into that title for this review. What the Old Testament has to say on the Spirit is somewhat more obscure than the later revelation of the New Testament and help is appreciated. Wright masterfully found the Spirit on the pages of the Old Testament in five chapters on the Creating Spirit, the Empowering Spirit, the Prophetic Spirit, the Anointing Spirit, and the Coming Spirit. He really helped me crystallize my thinking in places where I really needed the help. Glancing through the other two, I what the same clear thinking and good writing throughout.

This book is a treasure that you simply must have at hand. I love it and highly recommend it.

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.

[David Clouse · Rating 5 out of 5]

Chris Wright is one of my favorite OT authors. His content is very understandable for anyone I think and he is a scholar in the field.

I think I would have read this book slightly different now that I'm finished. I would have started with book two, then three, then one. I feel like hearing about God and the Holy Spirit helped me retrospectively understand the chapter on Jesus better and I would have retroactively liked to read that chapter last. Regardless, each chapter was illuminating in it's content and I have a new appreciation for how "Knowing God" is a statement that involves much more practical life application than just head knowledge. Too know God was to practically live out His ways. To be someone who sought justice, to defend the poor and needy, to be compassionate to everyone but especially the outcasts of society, to be humble and not seek your own game or fortune but to please and honor God etc.

Here's one of my favorite passages in Jeremiah that helps illuminate this idea. God, speaking to Judah's King at the time says this:

Do you think you are a king
because you compete in cedar?
Did not your father eat and drink
and do justice and righteousness?
Then it was well with him.
He judged the cause of the poor and needy;
then it was well.
Is not this to know me?
declares the Lord.

The rest of the passage that I haven't quoted adds more emphasis but this is what it means to know God.

[Jake Preston · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best works of theology I've ever read.

[Henry Holmberg · Rating 4 out of 5]

Knowing God Through the Old Testament is definitely one of the best seminary books thus far. It is actually three books. Each book covers how the OT informs, introduces, and shows us a member of the Trinity (Jesus first, God the Father second, and the Holy Spirit third). The first book, on Jesus in light of the OT, is by far the best of the three, but each book has unique incites and devotional promptings towards a better, richer love of the Godhead.

Wright does a great job of showing how God, and the whole Bible are fiercely missional, justice oriented, and gracious. There were some dry chapters, and the section on the Holy Spirit felt more like a section on the trinity, but aside from those issues, this book is devotional, helpful for ministry, and fun to read.

[Ty Carter · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great book to deepen your knowledge on the Trinity throughout the Old Testament. I would highly recommend it!

[Mike · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent Book; highly recommend

[Caleb Rolling · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent biblical theological reflection on the three persons of the Godhead from the OT. Pastoral in tone with robust scholarship distilled for a mid- to popular-level by one of the best.