How to Understand and Apply the Old Testament: Twelve Steps from Exegesis to Theology

by Jason S. DeRouchie

Publisher:

P&R

, 2017

Overview

This book is for anyone who wants to learn how to observe carefully, understand accurately, evaluate fairly, feel appropriately, act rightly, and express faithfully God’s revealed Word, especially as embodied in the Old Testament. Loaded with examples, practical answers, and recommended resources, the twelve chapters will empower believers to study, practice, and teach the Old Testament as Christian Scripture, understanding and applying it in ways that nurture hope in the gospel and magnify the Messiah.

Key Features

• Follows an extensively field-tested twelve-step process to deepen understanding and shape theology (biblical, systematic, and practical)
• Engages with numerous illustrations from Scripture that model these interpretive steps
• Teaches how to track an author’s thought-flow, grasp the text’s message, and apply the ancient Word in this modern world, all in light of Christ’s redeeming work

Contents

• Introduction: A Journey of Discovery and Encounter
• Part 1: Text—“What Is the Makeup of the Passage?”
• Part 2: Observation—“How Is the Passage Communicated?”
• Part 3: Context—“Where Does the Passage Fit?”
• Part 4: Meaning—“What Does the Passage Mean?”
• Part 5: Application—“Why Does the Passage Matter?”
• Conclusion: A Final Word on Walking in the Dark
• Appendix: The KINGDOM Bible Reading Plan

Top Highlights

“Without question, the most important skill for interpreting Scripture is to read, read, and read the biblical text carefully and God-dependently and to consider what it says about God’s character, actions, and purposes and how it points to Christ.” (Page 12)

“Genre refers to an identifiable category of literary composition that usually demands its own exegetical rules. Accordingly, a misunderstanding of a work’s genre can lead to skewed interpretation.” (Page 22)

“The Bible presents YHWH’s prophets as ambassadors of the heavenly court (2 Kings 17:13; Jer. 23:21–22), individuals whom God commissioned for two key purposes: to preach for God to the people and to pray for the people to God.” (Page 44)

“Moses’ laws come to us in two forms, which scholars have tagged as apodictic and casuistic. Apodictic laws are those that are base principles stated in such a way that there is no qualification or exception. In contrast, casuistic laws are always situational, related to specific circumstances. Casuistic laws are often applications of apodictic laws.” (Page 51)

“The main point to grasp here is this: When we see a וְ at the head of a clause, we must determine to what clause or larger text unit it is linked.” (Page 105)

Endorsements

I recommend this book if you have a wanderlust for exploring ancient treasures. There are many, and they are great. DeRouchie will show you how to find them.

—John Piper, founder and teacher, Desiring God

This volume not only will become a standard course textbook, but will also serve as a lifelong resource for those called to study and faithfully proclaim the good news of the gospel of Jesus Christ from the Old Testament.

—Miles V. Van Pelt, Alan Belcher Professor of Old Testament and Biblical Languages, Reformed Theological Seminary, Jackson

Conversationally engaging; literarily transparent; materially comprehensive; pedagogically superb; academically sound, precise, and informed—all this and more. In over fifty-two years of teaching in the classrooms of higher education, I have seen nothing comparable to this magnificent work by DeRouchie—destined to be the classic in its field.

—Eugene H. Merrill, distinguished professor emeritus of Old Testament studies, Dallas Theological Seminary

Anyone wanting to grapple with how to interpret and apply the Old Testament will find this volume immensely helpful. It is scholarly, rich in theological and exegetical insight, and attentive to Hebrew grammar and syntax, yet the step-by-step approach to the interpretive task means that it is accessible for pastors and Bible teachers alike. You will want to have this volume in your library!

—Carol M. Kaminski, professor of Old Testament, Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary

Product Details

• Title: How to Understand and Apply the Old Testament: Twelve Steps from Exegesis to Theology
• Author: Jason S. DeRouchie
• Publisher: P&R
• Print Publication Date: 2017
• Logos Release Date: 2017
• Pages: 640
• Language: English
• Resources: 1
• Format: Digital › Logos Research Edition
• Subjects: Bible. O.T. › Hermeneutics; Bible. O.T. › Criticism, interpretation, etc
• ISBNs: 9781629952451, 9781629952468, 9781629952475, 1629952451, 162995246X, 1629952478
• Resource ID: LLS:HWNDRSTNDOT
• Resource Type: Monograph
• Metadata Last Updated: 2022-09-30T00:40:44Z

About Jason S. DeRouchie

Jason S. DeRouchie (Ph.D., The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary) is Associate Professor of Old Testament at Bethlehem College & Seminary in Minneapolis, MN. Previously, he served as an Associate Pastor, taught courses at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary and Gordon College, and served as Assistant Professor of Old Testament and Hebrew at Northwestern College (MN). He has published a number of articles on Hebrew language and literature, has authored a volume on Old Testament discourse analysis titled A Call to Covenant Love: Text Grammar and Literary Structure in Deuteronomy 5-11 (Gorgias, 2007), serves on the editorial board for Zondervan's new Hearing the Message of Scripture OT commentary series, is writing the volume on Deuteronomy in this series, and stands as the contributing editor for Kregel's forthcoming Old Testament thematic survey titled What the Old Testament Authors Really Cared About. DeRouchie teaches adult Sunday school at Bethlehem Baptist Church, where he and his wife Teresa have been members since 2007. The DeRouchies live in Coon Rapids, MN, and have three children, Janie, Ruthie, and Isaac.