Old Testament Theology: A Thematic Approach

by Robin Routledge

Overview

Numerous useful books on Old Testament theology are now available. However, they often give too much information - or too little. Some can seem large, and daunting to the ordinary student or pastor, and because of their layout, information may be hard to access. Others take a more introductory approach and do not deal with many of the theological issues and questions that the Old Testament raises.
Robin Routledge's aim is to bridge this gap.
He provides a substantial overview of the central issues and themes in Old Testament theology in the main body of the text, with more detailed discussion and references for further reading in the footnotes.
His purpose is to examine the theological significance of the various texts in their wider canonical context, noting unity and coherence within the Old Testament (and to some extent between the Old and New Testaments), whilst also being aware of diversity. A brief outline of the relationship between exegesis and biblical theology within the overall task of interpreting and applying biblical material is given in the first chapter.
His hope as a Christian minister is that, while this volume has grown out of a teaching context, and is intended for students, it will also be of benefit to others who want to take the theological content of the Old Testament seriously, and to apply its message to the life and ministry of the church today.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781789740097
Publisher:	Apollos
Publication date:	05/21/2020
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	384
File size:	1 MB

About the Author

Robin Routledge is senior lecturer in Old Testament at Mattersey Hall in England. He also teaches at the International Baptist Theological Seminary in Prague and the Continental Theological Seminary in Brussels.

Table of Contents

Preface
Abbreviations
Acknowledgments
1. Approaches to Old Testament theology
2. God and the "gods"
3. God and creation
4. God and his people (1): election and covenant
5. God and his people (2): worship and sacrifice
6. God and his people (3): receiving instruction
7. God and his people (4): kingship in Israel
8. God and his people (5): ethics and ethical questions
9. God and the future
10. God and the nations
Select bibliography
Supplementary bibliography
Index of Scripture references
Index of names
Index of subjects

What People are Saying About This

J. Gordon McConville

"The task of Old Testament theology is critical in biblical interpretation, and in Christian theology, preaching and practice. It is also a minefield of methodological approaches. Robin Routledge has provided a concise, well-read and readable account of it. He shows how Old Testament theology may have its own authoritative voice in the church's use of the Bible, and how it is essential to Christian theology, not least for the church's mission. In the context of postmodern interpretations, he aims to reaffirm the essentially historical character of the Old Testament, and to find theological unity in it. This book will provide welcome orientation for readers who find the Old Testament difficult, and will repay careful study."

Editorial Reviews

"Routledge writes explicitly as a Christian and a minister, viewing the OT as unified with the NT, positing an overall biblical theology. Routledge is more succinct than a number of more recent OT theologians."

January/February 2010 Preaching

"The task of Old Testament theology is critical in biblical interpretation, and in Christian theology, preaching and practice. It is also a minefield of methodological approaches. Robin Routledge has provided a concise, well-read and readable account of it. He shows how Old Testament theology may have its own authoritative voice in the church's use of the Bible, and how it is essential to Christian theology, not least for the church's mission. In the context of postmodern interpretations, he aims to reaffirm the essentially historical character of the Old Testament, and to find theological unity in it. This book will provide welcome orientation for readers who find the Old Testament difficult, and will repay careful study."

J. Gordon McConville

"Relatively brief, well-written, and user-friendly."

Old Testament Abstracts A.A.D.

"Routledge's Theology does a fine job of introducing the main issues and elements in most OT theology. Three primary contributions emerge from Routledge's volume. First, the footnotes are incredibly well done, and do a very fine job of pointing the reader to a wealth of further biography on any given topic. Second, Routledge is in conversation with other scholars throughout the work. And third, and perhaps most importantly, Routledge offers a contemporary voice on OT theology that has reflected thoughtfully on the vast history of a discipline. Routledge is able to engage a variety of approaches, voices, figures, and arguments within OT theology, and for that-and for his synthetic method-his theology is a welcome contribution to the field. Pastors and students wishing to gain a greater glimpse into the field of OT theology should no doubt find Routledge a helpful place to begin."

Hesed we'emet (hesedweemet.wordpress.com)

"Very readable."

The Bible Today

"Routledge's Old Testament Theology is a valuable resource. Rather than examining the Old Testament book-by-book, Routledge looks at the big-picture issues: election, covenant, kingship and worship."

Kyle Anderson

"Clear, concise and nuanced, provides a substantial overview of the central issues and themes in Old Testament theology in the main body of the text, with more detailed discussion and references for further reading in the footnotes. The book will be of benefit to those who want to take the theological content of the OT seriously, and to apply its message to the life and ministry of the church. Routledge's thematic approach makes it easy for selective readers to find what they need, and it will work well for both teachers and preachers."

Savannah Jones

"For the discerning, mature Christian, this book will be helpful. Its content is good, its research is deep, its readability is good."

Pastoral Musings (pastoralmusings.wordpress.com)

"What sets OTT apart is its less intimidating, more manageable style and organization. Well suited for an upper-level college or entry-level seminary course in OT theology, particularly one determined to take the biblical text seriously."

Garnett Reid

"Routledge's Old Testament Theology is a valuable resource. Rather than examining the Old Testament book-by-book, Routledge looks at the big-picture issues: election, covenant, kingship and worship."

--Kyle Anderson, Bible Study Magazine, March/April 2010

"Routledge's Theology does a fine job of introducing the main issues and elements in most OT theology. Three primary contributions emerge from Routledge's volume. First, the footnotes are incredibly well done, and do a very fine job of pointing the reader to a wealth of further biography on any given topic. Second, Routledge is in conversation with other scholars throughout the work. And third, and perhaps most importantly, Routledge offers a contemporary voice on OT theology that has reflected thoughtfully on the vast history of a discipline. Routledge is able to engage a variety of approaches, voices, figures, and arguments within OT theology, and for that-and for his synthetic method-his theology is a welcome contribution to the field. Pastors and students wishing to gain a greater glimpse into the field of OT theology should no doubt find Routledge a helpful place to begin."

--Hesed we'emet (hesedweemet.wordpress.com), July 1, 2009

"Clear, concise and nuanced, provides a substantial overview of the central issues and themes in Old Testament theology in the main body of the text, with more detailed discussion and references for further reading in the footnotes. The book will be of benefit to those who want to take the theological content of the OT seriously, and to apply its message to the life and ministry of the church. Routledge's thematic approach makes it easy for selective readers to find what they need, and it will work well for both teachers and preachers."

--Savannah Jones, Sir Read a Lot (sirreadalot.org), April 1, 2009

"For the discerning, mature Christian, this book will be helpful. Its content is good, its research is deep, its readability is good."

--Pastoral Musings (pastoralmusings.wordpress.com), April 7, 2009

"Relatively brief, well-written, and user-friendly."

--A.A.D., Old Testament Abstracts, Vol. 32, 2009

"Routledge writes explicitly as a Christian and a minister, viewing the OT as unified with the NT, positing an overall biblical theology. Routledge is more succinct than a number of more recent OT theologians."

--Preaching, January/February 2010

"Very readable."

--The Bible Today, 2009

"What sets OTT apart is its less intimidating, more manageable style and organization. Well suited for an upper-level college or entry-level seminary course in OT theology, particularly one determined to take the biblical text seriously."

--Garnett Reid, Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society, December 2009

From the Publisher