Introducing the Old Testament

by John William Drane

Publisher:

Lion

, 2000

Overview

Since its launch in 1987, Introducing the Old Testament has been widely acclaimed as an authoritative and accessible text for students and general readers alike. This thorough revision differs in important ways from the original edition. As well as being considerably longer, it takes into account the most recent scholarship, especially in relation to historical questions such as the origins of Israel as a nation. It incorporates more specific treatment of the spirituality and religious values of the Old Testament, and discusses the major deuterocanonical books. This edition also analyses some of the ethical issues raised by the Old Testament in relation to contemporary concerns such as ethnic cleansing. Introduction to the Old Testament provides an excellent and informative introduction to a collections of writings that lie at the heart of the Judeo-Christian tradition.

Contents

Top Highlights

“Scholars have often forgotten that, whatever else may be said about their literary origins, the way these books were combined to form the final edition of the Hebrew Bible was intended to present a coherent message that would both sum up and take forward the stories told by the individual writers.” (Page 13)

“The books of Chronicles contain many of the same stories as the books of Samuel and Kings, but they are an analysis of the meaning of those stories and an application of their lessons to the people of a later generation.” (Page 31)

“They are all narratives that have obviously been skilfully designed, like a good novel, to engage the reader’s attention and to get a message across at the same time.” (Page 27)

“The central thread of the Old Testament story shows how personal experience of God was to be a vital element in the very survival of the whole nation of Israel, over many generations.” (Page 43)

“In the time of Jesus, for example, there were more Jewish people in Alexandria in Egypt than there were in Jerusalem.” (Page 31)

Product Details

• Title: Introducing the Old Testament
• Author: John William Drane
• Edition: Completely rev. and updated.
• Publisher: Lion
• Print Publication Date: 2000
• Logos Release Date: 2003
• Language: English
• Resources: 1
• Format: Digital › Logos Research Edition
• Subject: Bible. O.T. › Introductions
• Resource ID: LLS:38.0.23
• Resource Type: Monograph
• Metadata Last Updated: 2024-11-21T00:36:19Z

About John William Drane

Dr. John William Drane (Ph.D.) is a Scottish theologian who is probably best known for his two best-selling books on the Bible, Introducing the Old Testament and Introducing the New Testament (both published by Lion in the UK and Fortress Press in the US). He is also the author of The McDonaldization of the Church (London: DLT 2000), Do Christians Know How to Be Spiritual? (London: DLT 2004), and numerous journal and encyclopaedia articles.

He studied in the University of Aberdeen where he was a student of I. Howard Marshall, and he holds a PhD from the University of Manchester, where his mentor was F. F. Bruce. John has taught in the Scottish universities of Stirling and Aberdeen and is currently teaching in the professional doctorate programmes of Fuller Seminary as well as working with CMS in the Pioneer Mission Leadership Training Programme.

John is married to another theologian, Revd Dr. Olive Fleming Drane, with whom he regularly works in church contexts as well as the academy. Time out might involve gardening, bread making, travel, cycling, camping, posting on social media, or simply doing ‘nothing’.