Recent years have seen a resurgence in biblical theology. From books by Dr. James Hamilton to Dr. Tom Schreiner to many others— scholars are producing world class material to help Christians understand the storyline of the Bible. Enter into this discussion What The Old Testament Authors Really Cared About edited by Dr. Jason S. DeRouchie. The book traces the Law, Prophets and the Writings. In the first section of the contributors explore The Old Covenant Established: What the Law Is Really by looking at Genesis through Deuteronomy. The second section explains Prophets under the Old Covenant Enforced: What the Prophets Are Really About. Here the contributors explore Joshua, Judges, 1-2 Samuel, 1-2 Kings, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Isaiah and The Twelve. The book concludes with a section called the Writings under the heading The Old Covenant Enjoyed: What the Writings are all about. Here the contributors examine Ruth, Psalms, Job, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of Songs, Lamentations, Daniel, Esther, Ezra-Nehemiah, and 1-2 Chronicles.

While the entire book is excellent several things stood out to me. First, the contributors approach books of the Bible to explain the main topics they discuss and how the message of the Book fits within redemptive history. Second, this book is not an exhaustive treatment on every detail as the author states on page 11. For such a treatment, I recommend The King in His Beauty by Dr. Tom Schreiner or God’s Salvation in Judgment by Dr. James Hamilton. While this book doesn’t examine everything what it does well is it is very well-written and accessible.

What I enjoyed the most about this book is the care the contributors have taken to show how Jesus is central to each book in the Old Testament. While many books in recent years have been written on the storyline of the Bible What The Old Testament Authors Really Cared About will help those understand the Old Testament. In a time when most preaching focuses on the New Testament books like What The Old Testament Authors Really Cared About are important in that will help Pastors, Sunday school teachers, youth pastors and ministry leaders see the importance of teaching the whole counsel of God’s Word. Whether you are a Bible College or seminary student, scholar, or are just getting serious about studying the Bible What The Old Testament Authors Really Cared About has something for you. What it offers you is an introduction to the Old Testament with a view to expose you to the centrality of Jesus in the Old Testament. I recommend you pick up What The Old Testament Authors Really Cared About and pray it gains a wide reading in the evangelical church.

Title: What the Old Testament Authors Really Cared About: A Survey of Jesus’ Bible

Author: Various

Publisher: Kregel (2013)

I received this for free from Kregel book review program for this review. 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 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”