Josh Philpot of Zoostation 23 posted a helpful review of Walter Kaiser’s Toward an Old Testament Theology. Kaiser’s 1978 work is a serious attempt at biblical theology in the Old Testament by one of evangelicalism’s finest Old Testament scholars. He keys in on the central theme of promise that runs throughout the Old Testament (cf. his more recent The Promise-Plan of God).
One of the major contributions that Kaiser makes in Toward an OT Theology, which Josh highlights, is Kaiser’s use of antecedent theology in understanding the epochal context of any given passage. This idea asserts that to understand any passage, it must be read in light of the revelation that has been given prior to the passage in question. It delimits unwarranted cross-references to New Testament explanations, short-circuiting genuine exegesis. This hermeneutical guideline comports with an argument for reading Scripture chronologically, according to progressive revelation, and with an eye towards seeing patterns re-iterated throughout the canon. I commend the book and Josh’s concise review.
Sola Deo Gloria, dss
Via Emmaus 