The Heart of the Old Testament: A Survey of Key Theological Themes

by Ronald F. Youngblood

Traces nine key theological strands through the Hebrew Scriptures and shows how they link to the New Testament. Highly accessible, profoundly insightful.

Genres: Old Testament, Nonfiction, Theology, Christianity

124 pages, Paperback

First published December 12, 1941

Reviews

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

A few points of concern (e.g. reading within the first few pages that Abraham might not have been a monotheist, which definitely gave me a bad first impression of this book), but overall readable and helpful for reviewing basic Old Testament/Scriptural themes.

[John Weis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Youngblood traces the major longitudinal themes of the Old Testament, demonstrating the unfolding plan of redemption, relating them to their fulfillment in Jesus Christ.

While many chapters were excellent, the work is punctuated with a strained engagement with modern anthropology and archaeology. Routinely, the author will assert the importance of, or even necessity to, compare Israel with her Ancient Near East neighbors. While insightful in a small number of instances, overall the approach is a distraction, yielding simply academic interest and trivia. It seems as if the author is implying God routinely "baptized" pagan liturgical and covenantal forms as if Yahweh's worship tolerated mixture (flying against the entire thrust of Leviticus). While allowing the author to be conversant with much modern scholarship, it seems out of place in a book surely intended as a popular-level introduction to the Old Testament Scriptures.

[Lydia Therese · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed the survey of the different themes that permeate the Old Testament and the considerations of the context of the culture the Israelites were living in for explanations of the structure of the law. The author always points back to Christ.

Read for my Old Testament class, freshman year fall semester

[Rafael · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book gives an excellent idea of common themes one should understand, and its size makes it great for a minister who wants an idea of themes that should be known. it aids interpretation greatly and would definitely aid anybody who just wanted a good idea of the Old Testament.

[Nate Christensen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really liked this book by Ronald Youngblood! He dived really deep into key theological themes of the Old Testament and it really points to Jesus in every chapter!

[Lisa Rosenow · Rating 4 out of 5]

A small book but it gave me a lot to think about. I read it from the library

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is one of those books that is such a mixed bag that I'm not sure how to rate it. Some of the chapters are worth reading over and over again - 5 star type chapters. Others are boring, say nothing significant, and aren't even worth reading once. The chapter on monotheism is particularly excellent, I highly recommend that one.

This book is best used as a reference - just read the chapters that interest you, leave the rest.

[Kathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not completely comprehensive but talks about the key points of the Old Testament.

[Sandy Sandmeyer · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fascinating book on the major themes of the Old Testament and how they relate to the New Testament.

[Julie Bridges · Rating 4 out of 5]

Had to read this for class. Interesting look at several themes that run throughout the Old Testament. Well written and an easy read.

[Brandon Rodriguez · Rating 3 out of 5]

Simple yet beneficial!