Richard S. Hess - The Old Testament: A Historical, Theological, and Critical Introduction

T he story of this book began shortly after the publication of Israelite Religions . Jim Kinney, vice president for Baker Publishing Group, asked me to consider writing a survey of the Old Testament that could be used in seminaries and graduate schools. At the time it seemed to be a daunting task. Various events and circumstances intervened during the years that followed to slow the completion of this work. However, I found that the process gave me an opportunity for a closer review of the vast literature. I benefited from many new works that added to my understanding of the subjects addressed and that have enriched the volume greatly.

This book is designed to meet the needs of the broad variety of students who come to study the Old Testament at a seminary or at a graduate level. It does not presume a deep knowledge of the Scriptures, although I wrote it with the intent to inform any serious reader. It is written in a world different from the days when I attended seminary as a student. I review the text and its criticism as well as offer an evaluation of critics and their theories. There is theological reflection on each Old Testament book along with consideration of the value in teaching each one. However, there are also sections on how each book and its message fit into the larger canon of the Old and New Testaments. I provide reviews of the history of interpretation, especially as the text was studied and preached in the synagogue and in the church through the centuries. There is an examination of the literary aspects of each text that extends beyond traditional form criticism and includes modern and postmodern approaches. Here as well I attempt to go beyond my own limitations and at an introductory level to reflect the manner in which the text has come to mean something in areas of gender, globalization, and various (post)modern ideologies. In this manner an attempt is made to respect and touch on many of the newer approaches to the interpretation of the Old Testament or Hebrew Bible for today.

I thank Jim Kinney and Baker Academic for supporting this work and for their patience through the process of writing it. I am also grateful for the students in my classes at Denver Seminary, from whom I have learned much and whose reading of some of this book in manuscript form assisted in enhancing its value. My colleagues in the department, M. Daniel (Danny) Carroll R., Hlne Dallaire, and now Knut Heim, have taught me much, and I thank them. The interest and encouragement of Provost Randy MacFarland, President Mark Young, and Chancellor Gordon MacDonald meant a great deal as I worked away over the years. I also wish to thank Matt Hollomon for his eagerness to proofread much of the manuscript. May God bless each of these in their life, family, and work. There are many other colleagues and fellow students of these ancient books whom I cannot list here, yet my gratitude goes to each who has influenced me in so many ways. I, of course, take full responsibility for the contents of this work.