Gentry - How to Read and Understand the Biblical Prophets

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When reading the Prophets, one may despair like the Ethiopian eunuch puzzling over Isaiah, How can I understand, unless someone guides me? Fortunately, Peter Gentry meets us on the road and asks, Do you understand what you are reading? Gentry ably guides us through this strange and foreign land.

Lindsay Kennedy, assistant pastor, Calvary Chapel Bothell, Bothell, Washington; blogger, My Digital Seminary

Gentry succeeds most admirably in his stated objective, which is to enable readers to read and understand the Prophets. And he does so in a way that is truly exemplary, employing a clear, concise, logically developed writing style that makes it relatively easy to probe this potentially difficult subjectthe Old Testament prophetic literature. In short, the author demystifies the Hebrew prophets and successfully relates their writings also to hermeneutical issues facing the church todayall in the space of less than 150 pages. This book would serve as a helpful introduction for adult Bible studies as well as college - level courses on hermeneutics. Scholars teaching at higher academic levels too would benefit from Gentrys excellent pedagogical approach.

Ernst R. Wendland, instructor, Lusaka Lutheran Seminary, Zambia; Internal Examiner, University of Zambia

Having established a stellar reputation already through his many publications in Old Testament studiesespecially in Septuagint and biblical theologyGentry reflects broad expertise here in his treatment of prophetism as an institution and in the literary output of the canonical Prophets of the Hebrew Bible. This is more than just another book on the Prophets: their lives, times, and ministries. The approach in this case goes beyond the standard of the oeuvres already at hand. Gentry knits together most skillfully the strands of criticism, theology, history, poetry, apocalyptic, and pastoral practicality in a style that betrays at once solid scholarship and transparent readability.

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

When traveling to a foreign land, the experience is so much richer when you have an experienced guide to explain the unique customs, point out things you might have missed, and take you to places you would not dare traverse alone. For modern Western readers of the Bible, the Prophets are a foreign land, even if we do not initially realize it. Peter Gentry, with his decades of experience traveling in this difficult terrain, can be your expert guide to the biblical Prophets through reading this book. I'm overjoyed that Gentry is sharing in print for a wider audience what I first found so helpful as class lectures a dozen years ago. Pick up this travel guide and experience the biblical Prophets afresh.

Richard Lucas, Greek and Hebrew mentor, The NETS Center for Church Planting and Revitalization; associate pastor, Christ Memorial Church, Williston, Vermont

Peter Gentry is a master exegete and theologian, and in this brief volume he supplies excellent guidance for those of us who desire to read and understand the Prophets with greater biblical faithfulness. With clear prose and numerous examples, he identifies how we should approach the prophetic genreits grounding in the Mosaic covenant, its structure and use of repetition, its engagement of foreign nations, its use of typology and apocalyptic language, and its appropriation and already -but-not- yet fulfillment in the New Testament. Gentry helps us grasp how the prophets communicated their messages, and by doing so he empowers us to become better interpreters of Gods Word. I highly recommend this book.

Jason S. DeRouchie, professor of Old Testament and biblical theology, Bethlehem College & Seminary

Many people set out to read through the Bible but get bogged down in the Old Testament Prophets. Some push ahead anyway, others skip aheadboth missing out on the full counsel of God. But theres hopeeveryone should read Peter Gentrys new book! Under seven key topics he asks the right questions, and his answers are the most insightful Ive seen. Pastors and scholars: youll benefit too.

Brent Sandy, former professor and chair of the Department of Religious Studies, Grace College, Winona Lake, IN; coeditor, Cracking Old Testament Codes ; coauthor , The Lost World of Scripture ; author, Plowshares and Pruning Hooks

How to Read and Understand the Biblical Prophets

How to Read and Understand the Biblical Prophets

Peter J. Gentry

How to Read and Understand the Biblical Prophets

Copyright 2017 by Peter J. Gentry

Published by Crossway
1300 Crescent Street
Wheaton, Illinois 60187

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopy, recording, or otherwise, without the prior permission of the publisher, except as provided for by USA copyright law. Crossway is a registered trademark in the United States of America.

Pearls Before Swine 2008 Stephan Pastis. Reprinted by permission of Universal Uclick for UFS. All rights reserved.

Cover design: Faceout Studios

Cover image: CSA Images / Mod Art Collection

First printing 2017

Printed in the United States of America

Unless otherwise indicated, Scripture quotations are the authors translation.

Scripture quotations marked ESV are from the ESV Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version), copyright 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Scripture references marked NIV are taken from The Holy Bible, New International Version, NIV. Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

All emphases in Scripture quotations have been added by the author.

Trade paperback ISBN: -1-4335-5403
ePub ISBN: -1-4335-5406
PDF ISBN: -1-4335-5404
Mobipocket ISBN: -1-4335-5405

Library of Congress Cataloging -in- Publication Data

Names: Gentry, Peter John, author.

Title: How to read and understand the biblical prophets / Peter J. Gentry.

Description: Wheaton : Crossway, 2017. | Includes bibliographical references and index.

Identifiers: LCCN 2016035994 | ISBN 9781433554032 (tp) | ISBN 9781433554056 (mobi) | ISBN 9781433554063 (epub)

Subjects: LCSH: Bible. ProphetsCriticism, interpretation, etc. | BibleProphecies.

Classification: LCC BS1505.52 .G46 2017 | DDC 224/.06dc23

LC record available at https:// lccn .loc .gov /2016035994

Crossway is a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.

2017-05-23 03:12:30 PM

For C. B.

and my friends at DTS

Contents

In our modern society of e -readers, many may have forgotten what a newspaper looks like. Yet hopefully we can all grasp the following illustration. When we pick up a newspaper from a big city, we find many sections. We expect to see the main headlines and news reports on the front page or in the first section. Later on we come to the entertainment section and find there the comics or funnies. Now, heres the question I want to ask you: can we say that we find truth on the front page and entertainment only in the comics?