Old Testament Wisdom Literature: A Theological Introduction

by Craig G. Bartholomew; Ryan P. O’Dowd

Publishers:

IVP Academic; Apollos

, 2011

Overview

The books of Job, Proverbs, and Ecclesiastes are rooted in the order created by the one true God. Their steady gaze penetrates to the very nature of created reality and leads us toward peace and human flourishing. Craig G. Bartholomew and Ryan O'Dowd tune our ears to once again hear Lady Wisdom calling in the streets. Establishing the books in the context of ancient Near Eastern wisdom traditions and literature, the authors move beyond the scope of typical introductions to discuss the theological and hermeneutic implications of this literature.

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Key Features

• Establishes the books in the context of ancient Near Eastern wisdom traditions
• Discusses the theological and hermeneutic implications of Wisdom literature
• Demonstrates the importance of wisdom literature

Contents

• An Introduction to Old Testament Wisdom
• The Ancient World of Wisdom
• The Poetry of Wisdom and the Wisdom of Poetry
• Proverbs
• Women, Wisdom and Valor
• Job
• Where Can Wisdom Be Found?
• Ecclesiastes
• For Everything There Is a Season
• Jesus, the Wisdom of God
• The Theology of Old Testament Wisdom
• The Theology of Wisdom Today

Top Highlights

“Genuine wisdom will be found only when we recover God’s designs for his world.” (Page 16)

“True wisdom exists in a relationship with a God who is both gracious in his embrace and severe in his judgment.” (Page 25)

“Wisdom, as we will argue throughout this book, is about the paths that lead to life, shalom (peace) and flourishing—whether among humans, creation, cities, farms, families, schools, governments or whatever else we can imagine.” (Page 19)

“Wisdom thus refers to a very wide range of desires, behaviors, skills and beliefs—all of which, like the spokes of a wheel, find their hub in the order God has created into our world.” (Page 24)

“First, the quality that the Old Testament calls wisdom finds its meaning only in relation to the one true God and Creator of the world. Scripture is emphatic that its approach to wisdom is the only right one. Wisdom, therefore, must begin with the fear of the Lord (Ps 111:10; Prov 1:7; 9:10). Second, true wisdom is a part of one, particular religious tradition and is thus found within the covenant community of God’s people and their story of salvation—first in Israel and now in the church. And third, wisdom is not always readily apparent. As we said in the introduction, wisdom is sometimes the very opposite of what our human reason and intuitions conclude.” (Pages 19–20)

Product Details

• Title: Old Testament Wisdom Literature: A Theological Introduction
• Authors: Craig G. Bartholomew, Ryan P. O’Dowd
• Publishers: IVP Academic, Apollos
• Print Publication Date: 2011
• Logos Release Date: 2014
• Pages: 336
• Language: English
• Resources: 1
• Format: Digital › Logos Research Edition
• Subjects: Bible. O.T. › Theology; Wisdom literature › Criticism, interpretation, etc
• ISBNs: 9780830898176, 9780830838967, 9781844745371, 0830898174, 0830838961, 1844745376
• Resource ID: LLS:LDTSTMNTNTRDCTN
• Resource Type: text.monograph.biblical-theology
• Metadata Last Updated: 2022-09-30T01:08:20Z

About the Authors

Craig G. Bartholomew has a PhD from Bristol University and is the H. Evan Runner Professor of Philosophy and professor of religion and theology at Redeemer University College in Ancaster, Ontario. He is the author of Where Mortals Dwell: A Christian View of Place for Today, coauthor of Living at the Crossroads, and coeditor of a number of volumes, including the award-winning Dictionary for Theological Interpretation of the Bible. He is also a priest in the Church of England.

Ryan P. O'Dowd is senior visiting lecturer in aerospace studies at Cornell University. Previously he taught Old Testament at Redeemer University College in Ancaster, Ontario, and was on the faculty of the Paideia Centre for Public Theology. He is author of The Wisdom of Torah and chair of the Scripture and Hermeneutics Seminar, which is part of the Paideia Centre.