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Beginning at Moses: A Guide to Finding Christ in the Old Testament
For many Christians today, the Old Testament is difficult to understand, seems outdated, and has questionable relevance. But, as Old Testament scholar Michael Barrett points out, all Scripture is inspired by the Holy Spirit and we must read it by faith, seeing that Christ is the key to unlocking the Old Testament’s message. With great knowledge of and contagious passion for the Old Testament, the author shows readers how to identify basic characteristics of Christ and where to look for Him throughout the Old Testament. The author challenges “God’s promise throughout the Bible is that those who seek Him will find Him. Beginning at Moses and ending with Malachi, we want to be on Christ alert.” “Beginning at Moses reminds me of the palpable energy of Dr. Barrett’s lectures. In those lectures I saw the combustive effects of a deep devotion to Christ, careful exegetical attention, and a finely tuned theological mind. Readers will sense the same dynamic running through these pages from beginning to end. Jargon free and absent any scholarly bravado, Beginning at Moses is a gift to Christian readers. Marcionites beware! You’ll find no safe passage here. Jesus Christ stands over the whole of the Christian canon and claims it as His own.” —Mark S. Gignilliat, professor of divinity, Beeson Divinity School “This book is well-written, thoroughly biblical in its approach, and presents Christ Jesus as the key to understanding the Old Testament and all Scripture. It focuses on Christ Jesus—the coming Prophet, Priest, and King—who will fulfill all Old Testament promises and expectations, especially that all nations will be blessed through the redemption that He purchased. This book will help scholars and laymen alike. I recommend this useful book.” —Russell T. Fuller, professor of Old Testament, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary
289 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 1, 1999
267 people are currently reading
364 people want to read
About the author
Michael P.V. Barrett
23 books6 followersDr. Michael P. V. Barrett is the Vice President for Academic Affairs of the Whitefield College of the Bible, the Theological Seminary of the Free Presbyterian Church of North America. For almost thirty years, he was a professor of Ancient Languages and Old Testament Theology and Interpretation at Bob Jones University Seminary. His other works include "Complete in Him: A Guide to Understanding and Enjoying the Gospel."
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
April 12, 2016
Michael Barrett's premise is simple: the Old Testament is about Christ and he can and should be found there as we read it - all the way from Genesis to Malachi.
Thus, his methodology is to first establish the Person and Work of Jesus Christ, as presented in the New Testament, then as we read the Old Testament, Christ is identified as the fulfilment or reality of Old Testament hints, clues or shadows.
In Part 1, he asks: Whom to look for? He then provides us with quite a comprehensive study on 'Messiahship' (Chap. 1), Jesus' Person (Chap. 2) and Work (Chap. 3).
In Part 2, he asks: Where to look? Barrett suggests that we can see Christ in the covenants (Chap. 4), in person (Chap. 5. He deals with Christophanies here), in His names (Chap. 6), in word prophecy (Chap. 7), in picture prophecy (Chap. 8-9. He spends quite a lot of time on Typology), and in song (Chap. 10).
In Part 2, he essentially looks at texts/passages that lend themselves quite easily to Christological interpretations, and although those are helpful insights, I would have preferred if he dealt with the Old Testament on a larger scale. I'm thinking about how books point to Christ where there is seemingly no mention of him - for example, Esther and Ecclesiastes. However, he does manage to cover a wide range of topics, themes and passages and perhaps me asking for more is unreasonable.
I must admit that I struggled through certain sections of the book - perhaps I wasn't used to his writing style - but that overall, the argument of the book is lucid and structured clearly. This is a good book to read if one wants to learn principles to find Christ in the Old Testament. I wouldn't agree with all of his points, but he does model a Christological reading of the Old Testament.
For a different way of finding Christ in the Old Testament, I would suggest Sidney Greidanus' "Preaching Christ from the Old Testament."
Thus, his methodology is to first establish the Person and Work of Jesus Christ, as presented in the New Testament, then as we read the Old Testament, Christ is identified as the fulfilment or reality of Old Testament hints, clues or shadows.
In Part 1, he asks: Whom to look for? He then provides us with quite a comprehensive study on 'Messiahship' (Chap. 1), Jesus' Person (Chap. 2) and Work (Chap. 3).
In Part 2, he asks: Where to look? Barrett suggests that we can see Christ in the covenants (Chap. 4), in person (Chap. 5. He deals with Christophanies here), in His names (Chap. 6), in word prophecy (Chap. 7), in picture prophecy (Chap. 8-9. He spends quite a lot of time on Typology), and in song (Chap. 10).
In Part 2, he essentially looks at texts/passages that lend themselves quite easily to Christological interpretations, and although those are helpful insights, I would have preferred if he dealt with the Old Testament on a larger scale. I'm thinking about how books point to Christ where there is seemingly no mention of him - for example, Esther and Ecclesiastes. However, he does manage to cover a wide range of topics, themes and passages and perhaps me asking for more is unreasonable.
I must admit that I struggled through certain sections of the book - perhaps I wasn't used to his writing style - but that overall, the argument of the book is lucid and structured clearly. This is a good book to read if one wants to learn principles to find Christ in the Old Testament. I wouldn't agree with all of his points, but he does model a Christological reading of the Old Testament.
For a different way of finding Christ in the Old Testament, I would suggest Sidney Greidanus' "Preaching Christ from the Old Testament."
March 15, 2020
This is a book to be read again and again!
I bought this book because of the author. Dr. Barrett was a beloved professor at my college, and I can hear his voice on every page. But I kept reading this book because of the content. There is so much help here in seeing Christ in the pages of the Old Testament. I have read this book slowly section by section on Sunday afternoons over many months. My soul has been nourished and my faith strengthened. I may very well start again. It’s that good!
I bought this book because of the author. Dr. Barrett was a beloved professor at my college, and I can hear his voice on every page. But I kept reading this book because of the content. There is so much help here in seeing Christ in the pages of the Old Testament. I have read this book slowly section by section on Sunday afternoons over many months. My soul has been nourished and my faith strengthened. I may very well start again. It’s that good!
February 3, 2017
While I know some of Dr. Barrett's thinking has changed since he wrote this book 15 years ago there are so many helpful things for the young (and mature) Christian to learn from what he says in this work. The Old Testament is sadly both neglected and misused in today's church and I highly recommend it for use in whatever format you'd like. Obviously, I disagree with Dr. Barrett's pre-millenial takes, but outside of that I personally gained a lot from reading it.
August 23, 2018
[Review originally published at BiblicalTrinitarian.com]
Barrett, Michael P. V. Beginning at Moses: A Guide to Finding Christ in the Old Testament (Greenville: Emerald House Group, 1999), 348pp.
The body of Christ has always recognized typology as Scripturally sanctioned, even mandated, means of interpreting the Scripture. However, there have been times in her history when the church has not understood the proper use and limits of typological exegesis. In part, this has led some to argue that typological exegesis should be limited only to those types mentioned in Scripture explicitly (e.g. Adam as a type of Christ in Rom 5 and 1st Cor 15). Others have attempted to argue that typological exegesis adds meaning to the text that was not intended by the original authors. These arguments have been dealt with in other articles to some extent,* but have not laid out specific rules of typological interpretation for readers to follow.
Thankfully, however, we can point readers to a great resource in this area of study that will serve as a great help to those understanding how it is they can see Christ in the Old Testament, without resorting to arbitrarily concocted rules. Michael P. V. Barrett’s Beginning at Moses: A Guide to Finding Christ in the Old Testament does just this, providing the reader with the necessary tools for reading Scripture’s types according to Scripture’s own given rules, in a way that does not compromise the Christian understanding that the meaning of Scripture is “not manifold, but one.”** Barrett helpfully limits his study to the Scriptures and the Westminster Confession of Faith, thereby drawing the reader’s attention to the meaning of Scripture, specifically as articulated by the Reformed.
The book is divisible into two major parts: (1) Whom to Look For, and (2) Where to Look. In the first chapter of part 1, Barrett explains the Scriptural teaching regarding the nature of a messiah or anointed one. He then moves on to detail the person of Christ in chapter 2, as well as his work in chapter 3. This sets the foundation for part 2, in which Barrett shows how Christ is found in the covenants (ch. 4), persons (ch. 5), names (ch. 6), word prophecies (ch. 8), picture prophecies (ch. 9), and songs (ch. 10) of the Old Testament. Typology is not limited to the explicit statements that “x is a type of y,” but it is limited in two ways. Firstly, typology is limited to the Old Testament. Typology foreshadows the one who is to come; therefore, it is thereby limited to the content of the Old Testament. Secondly, typology pictures or images nothing distinct from the propositional meaning of Scripture. One’s reading of the Old Testament types cannot, therefore, result in doctrinal meanings that add to the propositional teaching of the Scriptures. Typology does not add to the teaching of Scripture.
Barrett’s work is not only rich with information, it also points the reader to Christ, to acknowledge the reality of Christ’s person and work. Barrett writes in an intimate and pastoral tone, making the work accessible, as well as edifying. While he does not directly address some of the prominent interpretive methodologies that undermine typology, he does so indirectly, providing brief rebuttals to their underlying assumptions. The reader unfamiliar with these interpretive methodologies, as well as the reader who is well acquainted with them, can benefit by learning how such methodologies stem from unbiblical presuppositions that contradict explicitly and implicitly stated Scripture guidelines for finding Christ in the Old Testament.
Barrett’s book shows that while liberal scholarship attempted to overturn typology by identifying it as a post-ascension desperate attempt to unite the otherwise unrelated Old and New Testaments, or by insinuating those who believe it are unenlightened Medieval fools, the Scriptural testimony is the same: The Scriptures testify of the person and work of Christ all throughout the Old Testament, foreshadowing in detail the Gospel. The messiah, his deity, his perfections, his sacrificial atonement, his priesthood, his intercession, his ascension, his coronation, his kingship, and his shepherding of his people are not imposed on the Old Testament, but directly derived from its propositional and typological prophecies concerning the divine Second Person of the Trinity.
This book will be a blessing to the Christian, of any position in the church, who longs to see Christ in the Scriptures and, thereby, fully comprehend the magnitude of God’s love for his people.
-h.
-------Notes---
*See Diaz, Hiram R. “The Apologetical Significance of Typology [Pt. 1],” Biblical Trinitarian, http://www.biblicaltrinitarian.com/20... “The Apologetical
Significance of Typology [Pt. 2],” Biblical Trinitarian, http://www.biblicaltrinitarian.com/20... and “A Reflection on Biblical Interpretation,” Biblical Trinitarian, http://www.biblicaltrinitarian.com/20....
**1689 London Baptist Confession of Faith, Ch. I, Art. 9.
Barrett, Michael P. V. Beginning at Moses: A Guide to Finding Christ in the Old Testament (Greenville: Emerald House Group, 1999), 348pp.
The body of Christ has always recognized typology as Scripturally sanctioned, even mandated, means of interpreting the Scripture. However, there have been times in her history when the church has not understood the proper use and limits of typological exegesis. In part, this has led some to argue that typological exegesis should be limited only to those types mentioned in Scripture explicitly (e.g. Adam as a type of Christ in Rom 5 and 1st Cor 15). Others have attempted to argue that typological exegesis adds meaning to the text that was not intended by the original authors. These arguments have been dealt with in other articles to some extent,* but have not laid out specific rules of typological interpretation for readers to follow.
Thankfully, however, we can point readers to a great resource in this area of study that will serve as a great help to those understanding how it is they can see Christ in the Old Testament, without resorting to arbitrarily concocted rules. Michael P. V. Barrett’s Beginning at Moses: A Guide to Finding Christ in the Old Testament does just this, providing the reader with the necessary tools for reading Scripture’s types according to Scripture’s own given rules, in a way that does not compromise the Christian understanding that the meaning of Scripture is “not manifold, but one.”** Barrett helpfully limits his study to the Scriptures and the Westminster Confession of Faith, thereby drawing the reader’s attention to the meaning of Scripture, specifically as articulated by the Reformed.
The book is divisible into two major parts: (1) Whom to Look For, and (2) Where to Look. In the first chapter of part 1, Barrett explains the Scriptural teaching regarding the nature of a messiah or anointed one. He then moves on to detail the person of Christ in chapter 2, as well as his work in chapter 3. This sets the foundation for part 2, in which Barrett shows how Christ is found in the covenants (ch. 4), persons (ch. 5), names (ch. 6), word prophecies (ch. 8), picture prophecies (ch. 9), and songs (ch. 10) of the Old Testament. Typology is not limited to the explicit statements that “x is a type of y,” but it is limited in two ways. Firstly, typology is limited to the Old Testament. Typology foreshadows the one who is to come; therefore, it is thereby limited to the content of the Old Testament. Secondly, typology pictures or images nothing distinct from the propositional meaning of Scripture. One’s reading of the Old Testament types cannot, therefore, result in doctrinal meanings that add to the propositional teaching of the Scriptures. Typology does not add to the teaching of Scripture.
Barrett’s work is not only rich with information, it also points the reader to Christ, to acknowledge the reality of Christ’s person and work. Barrett writes in an intimate and pastoral tone, making the work accessible, as well as edifying. While he does not directly address some of the prominent interpretive methodologies that undermine typology, he does so indirectly, providing brief rebuttals to their underlying assumptions. The reader unfamiliar with these interpretive methodologies, as well as the reader who is well acquainted with them, can benefit by learning how such methodologies stem from unbiblical presuppositions that contradict explicitly and implicitly stated Scripture guidelines for finding Christ in the Old Testament.
Barrett’s book shows that while liberal scholarship attempted to overturn typology by identifying it as a post-ascension desperate attempt to unite the otherwise unrelated Old and New Testaments, or by insinuating those who believe it are unenlightened Medieval fools, the Scriptural testimony is the same: The Scriptures testify of the person and work of Christ all throughout the Old Testament, foreshadowing in detail the Gospel. The messiah, his deity, his perfections, his sacrificial atonement, his priesthood, his intercession, his ascension, his coronation, his kingship, and his shepherding of his people are not imposed on the Old Testament, but directly derived from its propositional and typological prophecies concerning the divine Second Person of the Trinity.
This book will be a blessing to the Christian, of any position in the church, who longs to see Christ in the Scriptures and, thereby, fully comprehend the magnitude of God’s love for his people.
-h.
-------Notes---
*See Diaz, Hiram R. “The Apologetical Significance of Typology [Pt. 1],” Biblical Trinitarian, http://www.biblicaltrinitarian.com/20... “The Apologetical
Significance of Typology [Pt. 2],” Biblical Trinitarian, http://www.biblicaltrinitarian.com/20... and “A Reflection on Biblical Interpretation,” Biblical Trinitarian, http://www.biblicaltrinitarian.com/20....
**1689 London Baptist Confession of Faith, Ch. I, Art. 9.
April 1, 2023
In the authors own words: "The theme of this book is simply finding Christ in the Old Testament, and the purpose has been to establish and illustrate the necessary principles of interpretation for discovering what the Old Testament reveals about Christ. ~Michael Barrett
One of the greatest joys I have found as a Christian was to have my eyes opened to the beauty and inspiration of the revealing of my Savior Jesus Christ in the Old Testament. Teaching Christ from the OT was Jesus' method of teaching His disciples and we can learn a lot from our Master. Mr. Barrett has done an excellent job of showing us some effective ways of utilizing this form of study.Written with the laymen in mind the author is careful to use language that will keep you engaged with the task at hand and no one should be overwhelmed with technical insight and jargon. This would make an excellent Sunday school reference. I would not at all be unhappy if Mr. Barrett decided to write a more detailed edition of this work. Outstanding!
One of the greatest joys I have found as a Christian was to have my eyes opened to the beauty and inspiration of the revealing of my Savior Jesus Christ in the Old Testament. Teaching Christ from the OT was Jesus' method of teaching His disciples and we can learn a lot from our Master. Mr. Barrett has done an excellent job of showing us some effective ways of utilizing this form of study.Written with the laymen in mind the author is careful to use language that will keep you engaged with the task at hand and no one should be overwhelmed with technical insight and jargon. This would make an excellent Sunday school reference. I would not at all be unhappy if Mr. Barrett decided to write a more detailed edition of this work. Outstanding!
April 7, 2025
Barrett's primary argument stems from the idea that most Christians today don't understand the Old Testament (OT) enough to benefit from reading it--they either read it and miss the point completely or they read it only out of obligation. He essentially argues that the reason Christians don't understand the OT is because they haven't gained a proper understanding of how the OT speaks of Jesus Christ throughout. In this book, he then showcases how this all works out--through typology, christophanies, and other literary parallels.
it is worth reading, particularly for those who haven't really considered how Jesus connects with the OT. However, it isn't always easy to read. Occasionally, the book is a tad dull.
it is worth reading, particularly for those who haven't really considered how Jesus connects with the OT. However, it isn't always easy to read. Occasionally, the book is a tad dull.
January 31, 2022
Exellent
I had read this book 20 years ago and just finished reading it again. I have enjoyed looking for Christ in the Old Testament in the past but as I start through the Bible again this year, I have more to look for and think about. It is a book well worth reading at least once, if not every so many years to remind yourself of Who to look for and how to look for Him.
I had read this book 20 years ago and just finished reading it again. I have enjoyed looking for Christ in the Old Testament in the past but as I start through the Bible again this year, I have more to look for and think about. It is a book well worth reading at least once, if not every so many years to remind yourself of Who to look for and how to look for Him.
August 5, 2022
This is a very academic read and it took a lot of concentration, but there is so much gold in this book! I love the Old Testament, and this book makes me love it even more--mainly, because I can see more of Christ.
September 13, 2017
Saints, this book will help you see The Lord Jesus Christ.
Yours in Christ,
Alex
Yours in Christ,
Alex
January 25, 2018
Probably the best book for finding Christ in the Old Testament. Extremely thorough and readable. Writing style is quite lively
November 8, 2019
How one can take the Old Testament and turn it into a Summer past time: find the Jesus in the text. Who finds the most, wins a chocolate bar.
April 7, 2021
Didn’t really find this interesting. A bit boring. Maybe it was my attitude at that time in life.
October 25, 2021
It's not a page turner but I found some of his thoughts helpful. I especially appreciated his thoughts on Jesus as the Branch.
I thought he got a little to eager to pass on his theology (and not just Jesus) especially regarding the atonement.
I thought he got a little to eager to pass on his theology (and not just Jesus) especially regarding the atonement.
June 1, 2016
Too Protestant to be of much use for me, but I think Protestants who want to move beyond that limited perspective of reading Scripture might find his ideas helpful. He follows the Westminster Confession in terms of his beliefs, and stretches a bit into a way of reading the Old Testament in which Christ is the key by which to understand it. But the categories and his use of scripture remains very Protestant.
October 14, 2016
A DYI manual for finding Christ in the OT
This book is not just a "here it is, and this is what it means" type of book, but it gives ideas on how to discover Jesus in the OT scriptures for your own personal study. If you don't want to study or think then this is not the book for you.
This book is not just a "here it is, and this is what it means" type of book, but it gives ideas on how to discover Jesus in the OT scriptures for your own personal study. If you don't want to study or think then this is not the book for you.
February 3, 2017
Very good information for seeing Christ in the Old Testament. Helpful for finding Christ in places where it isn't as plain as others. I also very much appreciated that the author explained how one could identify Christ and then applied those methods with several passages, both familiar and less familiar.
April 18, 2016
Barrett identifies Christ through the filter of the Westminister Confession (17th century). He then connects Christ through dispensational covenants (19th century) and clear allusions found in the New Testament.
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January 12, 2011I will refrain from putting stars on this one. I will also confess that I have not read it cover to cover, although I have read it all. It has been used more as a reference than a sit-down book.
August 30, 2019
Simple traditional exposition of NT truth in the Hebrew Bible. Great presupposition that is somewhat over simplified in the exposition. Loved it though.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 1, 2017
Jesus began with Moses to explain things about himself. Barrett begins with the NT and then goes to the OT to find those things that look like Christ in covenants, person, names, word, word and picture prophecy and in the songs.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews