Old Testament Theology for Christians

Old Testament Theology for Christians: From Ancient Context to Enduring Belief [Amazon Link]
by John H. Walton
Downers Grove, IL: IVP Academic, November 21, 2017
302 pages


John H. Walton’s book, Old Testament Theology for Christians: From Ancient Context to Enduring Belief, provides a strong foundation for modern students to develop an Old Testament theology which can frame the sometimes-discordant passages of the OT.
We often view the OT as the early story of redemptive history. Walton’s Old Testament Theology does not walk us down that old path, rather he wades deeply into what he sees as the OT’s primary theme, God’s Presence.
So his book is not a rehash of other OT theology books, his approach is quite different, and it will certainly change how you view the stories you've read since childhood.

In his introduction he develops his hermeneutical methodology. His principles (only partially listed below) are based upon biblical authority. A phrase he has used in his previous books is repeated here once again, “the Bible is therefore for us but was not written to us”. Our task therefore as interpreters is to discern the authoritative message delivered amid a high-context situation and translating it from afar in modern low-context culture.

Interpretation that is authority-based, theocentrically focused.
With authority in mind Walton continues. In order to properly approach the original authors meaning we should not view the Old Testament from the context of the New Testament. New Testament Theology is not to be ignored but the intended message, to its original audience, in its original context, was the authoritative communication. He calls this approach, “christotelic”.

…the approach used in this book first seeks authority in what the Old Testament authors were communicating, independent of Christology and derived from context. Christology can prove valuable for unpacking further understanding concerning God’s plan and his kingdom, but it does not obviate that which was inherently taught in the Old Testament context that had nothing to do with Christology (and I would contend that there is much in the Old Testament that is not christological in nature). At the same time, all of the Old Testament is herding us toward Christ. Christology, then, cannot be left out of the equation, but it does not replace what the Old Testament authors were doing. (p. 6).​

Some Additional Introductory Hermeneutical Topic-headings

• Divine presence and relationship with God is foundational
• Critically aware but evangelically founded.
• Willing to depart from traditional exegesis without questioning traditional theology.
• Willing to see the Old Testament text as authoritative in its own right (not only when Christ comes or in light of the New Testament)
• Theology is to be understood within the framework of the ancient world, yet as the result of revelation that draws the people out of those ways of thinking.

Today we have the unique opportunity to peek into the cultures surrounding, and often enveloping the ancient Israelites. We can enrich our low-context viewpoint by incorporating a wealth of Ancient Near-East documents, providing an appreciation of the ancient world that interpreters of the past couldn’t perceive.

John H. Walton provides a Old Testament Theology that takes hold of this information and utilizes it in a way that allows us to interpret Old Testament Scriptures with greater confidence and God-given authority.

I grew up as a young Christian reading Bernard Ramm’s “Protestant Biblical Interpretation” (1970) and another of his books “A Christian view of Science and Theology" (1955). Dated as these books are, they still hold a treasured place on my bookshelf. Walton's new book will be another one I greatly treasure.

 

I too enjoy his reasoned approach and now that I’ve finished teaching on Sunday mornings I can begin to delve into the many books I’ve beem collecting on my “to be read” shelf.

Rob

 

Both men earn a spot in Walton's introduction.

"Writing a book on the theology of the Old Testament is, in some ways, the height of presumption. Walter Kaiser demonstrated his recognition of these difficulties when he wisely included the disclaimer “toward” in the title of his own contribution, Toward an Old Testament Theology. When we throw our hats into the ring of comprehensive theologies, it is not because we have everything figured out. We simply have a few more tidbits to add to the discussions of those who have gone before us; we have a few insights (often instigated by interactions with students) to pass on to students. So we adopt the role of an aqueduct—taking what we have been given and passing it on to those who might benefit from it."

John H. Walton, Old Testament Theology for Christians: From Ancient Context to Enduring Belief (Downers Grove, IL: IVP Academic: An Imprint of InterVarsity Press, 2017), 1.


"Some even question whether or not a coherent Old Testament theology is possible or viable (J. Barr). But by the continuing activity in the discipline, it would appear that most have concluded that coherence is possible, even though there is a broad spectrum of opinions. From the discussions about method and presuppositions, we can move to the differences of opinions that have arisen concerning the subjects or themes of Old Testament theology. A sampling of supposed principal topics include: covenant (W. Eichrodt), communion (Th. C. Vriezen), God who acts (G. E. Wright), promise (W. C. Kaiser), credo (G. von Rad), kingdom (G. Fohrer, B. Waltke, E. Merrill, P. Gentry, and S. Wellum), (elusive) presence (S. Terrien), community (B. Childs, P. Hanson), theodrama (K. Vanhoozer), salvation (G. Vos), image (R. Hubbard, R. Johnston, and R. Meye), name (M. Noth), kabod (T. Mettinger), knowledge of God (W. Zimmerli), sovereignty and holiness (B. Jacob), law/promise dialectic old(R. Clements), blessing/deliverance dialectic (C. Westermann)—the list could go on. Other prominent themes include the land, sin, and wisdom. For some of these, the named topic is considered the “center” of Old Testament theology; for others, it is simply the most dominant theme or dialectic—perhaps even an organizing principle or metaphor. Opinions may vary, but most would admit that all of these topics at least have significance within the theology of Israel."

Ibid. 24–25.

Keiser's Old and New Testament Theology was even one of the "freebies" offered by Logos Bible Software (and mentioned in a thread here on the BB) a few years back.

Rob