Old Testament Theology: Israel's Faith

by John E. Goldingay

Old Testament Israel's Faith is the second of John Goldingay's magisterial three-volume Old Testament Theology. The award-winning first volume, Old Testament Israel's Gospel, followed the story line of the First Testament, developing its narrative theology. This volume finds its point of departure in the Prophets, Psalms and Wisdom literature, where we encounter a more discursive thinking that is closer to traditional theology. Whereas the first volume followed the epochal divine acts of Israel's "gospel" narrative, here Goldingay sets out the faith of Israel under the major rubrics of God Israel The Nightmare The Vision The World The Nations Humanity In a style that cleaves closely to the text, Goldingay offers up a masterful exposition of the faith of the First Testament, one born of living long with the text and the refined skill of asking interesting questions and listening with trained attention. Never one to sacrifice a close hearing of a text for an easy generality, or to mute a discordant note for the sake of reassuring harmony, Goldingay gives us an Old Testament theology shot through with the edge-of-the-seat vitality of discovery. The first volume of Old Testament Theology has triggered lively discussion in the academy. This volume too will be welcomed and discussed by scholars. But its fresh presentations of theological motifs, as well as its engagement with contemporary contexts, will also greatly enrich the treasury of insights this series makes available to preachers and communicators of the Old Testament.

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

891 pages, Hardcover

First published December 9, 2006

About the author

John Goldingay is David Allan Hubbard Professor of Old Testament at Fuller Theological Seminary in Pasadena, California. An internationally respected Old Testament scholar, Goldingay is the author of many commentaries and books.

Reviews

[Vanjr · Rating 2 out of 5]

I found volume 1 to be better. I tended to get lost and was not sure where the author was going, and many points were supported by various references that seemed pulled out of their original context. Much of this may be on me.
On a positive side, the author argues that God is a person, and as such is incredibly complex. Maybe I got lost in the forest because of the complexity being examined.
I already own volume 3 but need a break before diving into the final volume. (Plus, lots of other good stuff pending on my too read list first).

[Steve Lafrance · Rating 5 out of 5]

Helpful and wide reaching

This is a great overview of the Old Testament theology and its connection to the New Covenant in a way that was digestible. Helpful for preaching, teaching, and shaping a more robust understanding of the Jewish and Christian faith

[Clayton Tune · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed volume 1 more. But 2 is packed full of great sermon/writing/thought material.

[David · Rating 4 out of 5]

Volume two of John Goldingay's theology of the Old Testament focuses on the faith of Israel. The first volume centered on Israel's gospel, the story the Old Testament tells from beginning to end. That first book was amazing, and I enjoyed it more simply because reading narrative, a story, is more engaging than reading systematic theology. Nevertheless, this book equals the first it is depth. Goldingay goes through seven aspects of the Old Testament: God, Israel, the Nightmare, the Vision Humanity, the World, and the Nations. I am sure I will return to this book often as a reference.

My hope would be that Goldingay would someday write briefer versions of his books which would be more approachable for the average reader, as NT Wright has done. This book requires commitment (which is why I suspect the other reviewer on Goodreads only gave it 2 stars, I can't imagine reading the whole thing and concluding it is only worth 2 stars).

Overall, a long and deep, but rewarding, book.