The Christ Key: Unlocking the Centrality of Christ in the Old Testament

by Chad Bird

Reading the Old Testament can seem like exploring an old, mysterious mansion, packed with of all sorts of strange rooms. The creation room, vast and sublime. The exodus room, with hardhearted pharaohs and dried-up seas. The war room, with bloody swords and crumbling walls. The tabernacle room, with smoking altars and dark inner sanctums. What does this odd and ancient world have to do with us, who are modern followers of Jesus? As it turns out, everything! Every chapter in the Old Testament, in a variety of ways, tells the story that culminates in Jesus the Messiah. What Christians today call the Old Testament is what Jesus and the earliest believers simply called the Scriptures. That was their Bible. From its pages, they taught about the Messiah's divine nature, his priestly work, his ministry of salvation. The Christ Key will reintroduce readers to these old books as ever-fresh, ever-new testimonies of Jesus. By the end, you will see even Leviticus as a book of grace and mercy, and you will hear in the Psalms the resounding voice of Christ.

Genres: Theology, Christian, Christianity, Religion, Nonfiction, Audiobook, Catholic

200 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 1, 2021

About the author

Chad Bird is a Scholar in Residence at 1517. He has served as a pastor, professor, and guest lecturer in Old Testament and Hebrew. He holds master’s degrees from Concordia Theological Seminary and Hebrew Union College. He has contributed articles to Christianity Today, The Gospel Coalition, Modern Reformation, The Federalist, Lutheran Forum, and other journals and websites. He is also the author of several books, including Night Driving: Notes from a Prodigal Soul, Your God Is Too Glorious: Finding God in the Most Unexpected Places, Upside-Down Spirituality: The 9 Essential Failures of a Faithful Life, and Unveiling Mercy: 365 Daily Devotions Based on Insights from Old Testament Hebrew. He cohosts two popular podcasts: “40 Minutes in the OT” and “Hidden Streams.” Chad and his wife Stacy have four children and three grandchildren. They enjoy life together in the Texas Hill Country.

Reviews

[James Rickenbaker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Three years ago, Pastor Andy Stanley preached a series of sermons, the final one of which made the statement that Christians ought to “unhitch” the Old Testament (OT) from our faith. I’m not sure how he could be more wrong. And Chad Bird’s book is the one I will direct folks to for the decisive counterargument to Pastor Stanley.

Chad gives a full-throated apology for the importance of reading the OT as a Christian. (It is absolutely necessary!) Without the OT, we would have no sense of who Jesus is as the messiah. We would have no idea what words like Lord, messiah/Christ, and savior even mean (not to mention sin).

The OT was the Bible of the early church. It was Jesus’ Bible. It tells us of the fall of humanity and the promise of salvation. The fall is reversed and salvation is achieved in the person of Jesus Christ and through his life, death, resurrection, and ascension. But we need to know the problem and see the rescue mission enacted in the OT to be able to understand how it is finished in the NT.

When some of Jesus’ disciples began to doubt after his crucifixion that he was who he said, he opened their minds to the truth of Scripture and preached to them that Moses, the prophets, and the Psalms all attested to him (Luke 24). The OT is about Jesus. It points to him. This is the truth. And Chad brings this out in a very readable, accessible way so that even new believers can see the powerful truth of God revealed to us in the pages of the Bible.

This is now on a short list of book recommendations to my church. I’ve already recommended it highly to a few parishioners.

[Bror · Rating 5 out of 5]

I often compare reading scripture to one of my other favorite pastimes, mining. It's like digging for gems. It holds that excitement for me. New insights coming in get my heart racing like finding exquisite topaz with red beryl in Utah, or an opalized piece of petrified wood. It takes work but the payoff is great. Chad gives you a whole new set of tools that makes the mine more like a treasure chest than a hole in the side of the mountain. He puts you on to the veins of rich gold.
Chad has been studying scriptures intensely for many years. His understanding of scripture is hard to fathom. but he knows it better than a truck driver knows the interstate system. He also has a beautiful way of writing and communicating his knowledge. This book is better than any commentary I have ever read on the OT. Why? Because he is not here to tell you what it says, so much as to give you the key to reading it so you can discover it for yourself. When you are done you will see how important the OT is for Christians, because it is all about Christ! The boring parts, I mean who hasn't shut the book at Leviticus? Well they become so much more exciting than the exciting parts were, and they open up the rest with so much more. That Bible becomes a treasure chest of salvation when you learn from Chad.

[Kris · Rating 4 out of 5]

A little more scattered than I thought it'd be. The content is great, but I think Chad Bird is trying to do too much in too little space here. Still, he draws great parallels and connections across scripture, focusing on subjects like the tabernacle, Christ archetypes, kinds of Exoduses, Israel/the church as the Bride of Christ, Eden as a Sanctuary Garden, Atonement, and the use of Psalms in the New Testament.

The audiobook production quality is lacking--often some words are repeated because the audio isn't spliced together cleanly.

[Brenden Wentworth · Rating 5 out of 5]

A book that put a smile on my face and incited so much praise as I was reading. More than simply a guide to seeing Jesus in the OT, Chad Bird has written a phenomenal yet concise “Christocentric Theology of the Old Testament”.
His chapters on “the sanctuary garden of God” about the big story of the Scriptures as focused on Christ and “the psalms as a prayer book” focused on Christ are alone worth the price of admission. Couldn’t recommend it more!

[Shane · Rating 5 out of 5]

In John 5:39, Jesus says that the Scriptures (speaking of the Old Testament) testify of Him. In "The Christ Key," Chad Bird thoroughly demonstrates that this is the case. Jesus is the key to the entire Old Testament, or as the author puts it, "He is the key, and he is the content" (vii).

I couldn't put this book down. The book is not long, nor is it difficult to read, but it is jam-packed with connections drawn between Christ and the Old Testament. It is far from being exhaustive but will provide you with a template for reading the Old Testament in light of Christ. "Instead of (mis)reading the OT as a collection of morality tales or lessons on practical spirituality - a soul-shrinking practice in far too many churches - let us read these writings to discern how all the layers and patterns together form the messianic story" (47). You will not regret reading this spiritually refreshing book.

The discussion questions at the end of each chapter will also be useful for facilitating group discussions of this book. I recommend using the book for church discussion groups. The more Christians who read this book, the better. The Old Testament has too often remained unnecessarily mystifying for Christians and this book is the perfect remedy.

[Laura Tasker · Rating 5 out of 5]

‘[D]ear Father… don’t ever let them read the OT without the crucified and resurrected Jesus hanging out on every page, pointing to Himself, saying, “These Scriptures testify of Me.”’ (Page 178, Afterword: A Prayer for the Reader)

I’ve been listening to 1517’s 40 Minutes in the Old Testament for several years now and have so enjoyed it. In listening I’ve learned so much about the shadows and centrality of Christ in the Old Testament. The Christ Key, however, not only expounded upon the podcast discussions but surpassed them. This book offered so many new things- subtle and screaming of Christ throughput the whole canon of Scripture. Beyond that, it was understandable, enlightening, and cultivated a greater appreciation and love for the Scriptures and the Lord. Each chapter was a new gem systematically working through the themes of the OT and concluding with the Psalms; a beautiful ending leaving me challenged to dive deeper into Scripture and into worship. PTL!

[Jacob Schwander · Rating 5 out of 5]

The amount of theology in this book is not surprising to me. Chad is a great scholar whose devotion to the word is evident on every page of this work. However, he acknowledges that his devotion to the word is not about being an academic genius. It was an enjoyable read. In order to read this book more slowly than usual, I decided to take it at a leisurely pace. However, I still feel as if I would love to read it again in the future. Throughout the book, Chad makes you feel as though you are not wasting your time. All Christians should dive deeply into the Old Testament in order to learn how all of it points to Jesus. He is a fresh voice in Old Testament scholarship, recognizing that Christians should read the Old Testament because the Old Testament helps us better understand Jesus. In my opinion, a lot of Old Testament scholars compromise and seem less excited about focusing on Jesus throughout the first testament. So Chad is a breath of fresh air. Truly recommend reading this. He also has discussion questions at the end of each chapter which allows groups to easily go through this together. Well-deserved 5 star.

[Kyle Tomlin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don't think I'm making an overstatement when I say that this is a must-read for all Christians who are interested in understanding the Bible better, and more specifically for those who want to understand the Old Testament in the way that our Lord taught us to read it, namely as a collection of 39 books that are ultimately about Him. Chad Bird has taken a growing field of biblical study and managed to write an accessible, yet fulsome; beautifully-written; and faith-deepening primer for how to read the OT in a Christological and Christotelic way. It has certainly whet my appetite to want to continue reading more in this field. I have no doubt that this will be a book that I will read and re-read for many years to come -- there's that much to chew on and digest -- and if I could've given this book 6 stars or more, I would gladly have done so.

[Logan · Rating 2 out of 5]

Bird has an earthy, folksy writing style that's appealing, but I felt that it weighed down every section except for his thoughts on the Psalms. He's clearly a gifted writer and educated biblical scholar—but his attempts to "thread the needle" between approachable and erudite often fell flat, in my opinion. Good introduction to figural reading of the OT, but the tonal dissonances were a bit too much for me.

[Carrie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have come to respect Chad Bird, his testimony, and his knowledge of the Word in its historical context and original text. While I do not agree with all of his takeaways, it is still a solid read and study into the entirety of Scripture pointing to Jesus. I’ll need to read again…and again. Listened to it through hoopla.

[Lydia Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely spectacular book! Opened my eyes to Christ in the Old Testament and made sense of so many puzzling parts of scripture. This is a life changing and eye opening book that I would strongly recommend everyone read! Goes on my list of required reading if I ruled the world 😉 Free audiobook on Spotify premium.

[Phillip Warner · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book provides an insightful exploration of the intricate interplay of Christ in the Old Testament. It is replete with valuable information, necessitating multiple readings to fully comprehend its contents. Overall, it is an exceptional resource.

[Taylor Jackson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful work on seeing Christ in and through the whole of Scripture. This is a book that what's your appetite for further reading into the Christ centered focus of Scripture.

[Brandon H. · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a delightful journey through the Old Testament! This author skillfully pulled back the curtain of the Old Covenant and now I see Christ in so many places that had escaped my vision previously. Excellent!!

[Rick Dugan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of the most accessible and clear books I've found on reading the Old Testament Christologically. Bird outlines how various characters found in the Old Testament, creation and exile stories, the Temple and its furnishings, and the Psalms all reveal Jesus as the Christ. Each chapter includes study questions, which would make this a fun book to read with a small group. At the very least, anyone who teaches the Bible regularly should read this to become more familiar with reading it as a revelation of Jesus Christ.

[Lina :) · Rating 5 out of 5]

My goodness.

I genuinely have no words😭 The amount of wisdom and care poured into this book- I truly received so much revelation, and I can’t wait to refer back to this book as I continue to read, study, and delve into Scripture. I had such a beautiful, enlightening, experience as I read through this book. So so good.

[Judy · Rating 4 out of 5]

The premise of this study is that Christ is central in the Old Testament, in the Torah, the history, the prophets and the writings, especially the Psalms. I have loved teaching the Old Testament for this very reason. I am in agreement of much of which he writes, however, some of it seems dubious. He does not include a bibliography or notes, so his sources are a mystery. This is definitely not suitable for most lay people.

[Lindsay John Kennedy · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very readable approach to this topic and one that isn't afraid to make explicit connections to Christ in the OT, rely on divine authorship, and trust that the NT authors read the OT correctly. If someone is looking for an academic book, look elsewhere, but don't assume that Chad is wimpy on study—far from it. The chapter on Christ as the speaker of the Psalms was by far my favorite. It was a refreshing change to find someone with whom I am in agreement on this.

[Jacob Cibas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Incredible book. Bird demonstrates how Christ truly is the key that unlocks understanding of all the OT. This book restored the joy of reading for me that at times can slowly fade away after many different books.

[Eric · Rating 5 out of 5]

Chad Bird masterfully introduces his readers to the often hidden themes of Christ in "The Christ Key." This book is wonderfully written, with plenty of Bird's character and personality.

"The Christ Key" explores Genesis, Exodus, Psalms, and more of the Old Testament and how Christ is the key to unlocking deeper understanding of God's story. Bird is well educated and delves into both Greek and Hebrew translations of words that will amaze readers and take them deeper then they have gone before.

I loved the explanations of various translated words. It was impactful to see his approach to Scripture, which was previously hidden from me as my education is not in the same area. This book will help me read Scripture differently.

I did think that the editing team needed a sharper eye, as the first half of the book had numerous spelling and grammatical errors. My rating is without attention to editing foibles.

[Glenn Crouch · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a wonderful and inspiring book to read. I continue to delight in the works of this author.

He takes the reader on a journey through Genesis, through Exodus, through the Tabernacle/Temple, and through the Psalms. In this journey, we get to see how it is all about our Lord Jesus the Messiah - and about his death and resurrection. I would’ve appreciated a few more chapters covering the kings, prophets and wisdom literature. In fact, I do hope the author considers a more detailed work that covers every book of the OT!

Plus each of the 8 chapters has a good set of discussion questions, making this book ideal for group (and individual) study.

The only improvement (besides wanting the book to be longer ;) ) would be a “For Further Reading” section.

While I would especially recommend this book to those who are preaching (or thinking of preaching) from the OT, I would recommend it to all :)

[Mmetevelis · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a rare theology book that made me wish it was longer. Chad Bird combines deep scholarship with clear, approachable and beautiful writing. The chapters on new creation and Christ in the Psalms were very compelling. Having spent a seminary studying the Bible and picking it apart it was deeply helpful to my faith and witness to put scripture together at the manger and the cross.

For anyone looking to deepen their ability to read scripture and to pray with and hear their faith in it this little book is indispensable.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is wonderful and I would recommend it to anyone, new or old in their faith. Bird makes it easy and enjoyable to read about how Jesus is in the Old Testament. The Gospels and Epistles are enjoyable and life bringing on their own, but understanding how they explicitly point to Christ in the Old Testament should make you worship Him all the more. Everything starts to make so much sense when we understand that the OT isn’t just history, but it’s the original Bible, and all of the New Testament is referring to the Old Testament!

[Tracey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, an amazing and informative book that transforms how to view Christ in the Old Testament. I read the book while taking the course Christ in the Old Testament from Academy 1517. It’s not a book to just read on the weekend, but is a helpful resource to read with your Bible, to look up and cite the sources and reflect on the questions at the end of each chapter, to discuss with a friend or spouse over a cup of tea. I will forever look at the Psalms through the eyes of our Lord Jesus. I look forward to the next book Untamed Prayers.

[Jeremy Pedersen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I heard him speak for a week of morning sessions on this topic and I hear his excellent voice in this book.

As someone who learned in seminary an approach of the OT not necessarily connected to Christ, I nevertheless appreciated this perspective. In fact I started listening to his 40 minutes in the OT podcast based on those lectures and this boon.
Best of all, I can this to one not trained in seminary and they can follow the argument...

Overall excellent book.

[John Funnell · Rating 5 out of 5]

I discovered Chad on Instagram and have enjoyed his various clips and shorts on Hebrew words ever since. He shows a rare balance of wisdom and heart, teaching through the grief of his sons death.

This book is my first of Chad’s and I will almost certainly read others.

Well written, accessible and a healthy use of Bonhoeffer!

A look at Christ through the ages. Superb exegesis, saturated in scripture. Insightful, helpful and full of heart. Theology should be a doxology!

[Curtis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very much enjoyed this book, but I did not do it justice in the way I consumed it. It is a textbook of sorts but not written like one as there are personal stories and connections with the author included at the outset of each chapter. There are study / review questions at the end of each chapter that I skipped over completely. I very much want to spend time with this again and study more deeply.

[Matt Daq · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book gets into the weeds in terms of Jesus as the central figure of the OT. It’s a good read but very in depth, it is more written for people who at interested in ancient Hebrew etc opposed to the general Christian. I however did learn a lot and wil use this book as a foundation for a church series.
The author was narrator and he was great
An easier read for types and shadows of Jesus in the OT is Jesus unmasked by Todd friel.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

The New Testament church had as its Bible the Old Testament. It was there that early believers looked for - and found - Jesus as the fulfillment of all the Messianic prophecies.
The Christ Key traces the promises of the Messiah from the Garden of Eden to Malachi. I especially appreciated that all of the Psalms (the Old Testament's hymnal) point to Christ.

Chad Bird's books are so readable and relatable. And always focused on Jesus.
Highly recommended.

[Becca Ashton Helge · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a challenge. It’s got so much great material, but it definitely is more seminary-level reading than a devotional. Everything else we’ve read by Chad Bird is more devotional - Night Driving, Limping with God, and now Hitchhiking with the Prophets.
The Christ Key deserves to be read and reread. Will definitely refer back to it in order to soak in its contents more fully.
It instilled in me a deeper love for the OT and admiration of God’s redemptive work throughout all of history.