Encountering the Old Testament: A Christian Survey (Encountering Biblical Studies)

This book follows the same structure and format as  Encountering the New Testament: A Historical and Theological Survey (Encountering Biblical Studies) , its companion volume in the Encountering Biblical Studies series. And like the other volumes in this series, this book serves as a helpful primer on the subject covered. Arnold and Beyer have provided students and teachers with a well organized, colorful, accessible, engaging, and detailed introduction to Old Testament history, theology, and culture.The authors note in the preface, "Illustrative materials such as charts, maps, and graphs comprise approximately 20 percent of the volume. The color format makes the book more 'user-friendly' to a generation that has experienced much in the way of technological improvement. We want to give students the feeling that 'they are there' as much as possible, to help them see the images the Bible so carefully paints." This aspect is especially helpful in a volume on the Old Testament since many readers are so removed the world of the Ancient Near East.POSITIVES:- Well written and well organized- Lots of helpful "focus boxes" and other in-text tools (e.g., the classic formulation of the Documentary Hypothesis, Leviticus on sexuality, the chiastic structure of Psalm 8, etc.)- Thoughtful "Review" and "Study" questions at the end of each chapter- Suggested further reading at the end of each chapter- Detailed glossary of OT people, places, doctrines, etc.- Robust multimedia interactive CD-ROM that includes study questions, reviews, audio/video clips, interviews with the authors, maps, images, and more.NEGATIVES:- CD-ROM is PC only (not Mac friendly)Overall this book is great; there are very few negatives with this volume. It is more detailed than its New Testament companion, and its arguments are more fully defended. Like Encountering New Testament, this volume is accessible and interesting for the novice, and is detailed and engaging for the experienced student.

I use this as a text book in my OT intro course. It provides a solid conservative evangelical approach to the Old Testament. Each chapter does a pretty good job of discussing some key issues, and usually deals with other views fairly.The biggest problem with this textbook is the author's proclivity to move from a discussion of the text to a larger discussion of theology. In doing so, New Testament views and a Christian focus gets put on texts that originated centuries beforehand. The result is a reading which leaves students with good evangelical theology of the Old Testament, but lacking in the presentation of the theology held by those discussed in the OT.If seeking this as a text book for a course, plan your lectures to deal with the text itself and the surrounding issues of the textual interpretation. This focus will round out the book.Note: The CD is invaluable. A simple click allows the students to read the definitions of many words that would be new to them in a Intro class.

Will use this book for College

Was supposed to be soft cover no markings on pages good binding all of the above were wrong not as advertisedPitiful

I had to order this book for an OT survey course that I took over the past 2 weeks (fast but great!). I think this textbook is helpful to understand the overall framework of the OT and I especially enjoyed the diagrams and maps which brings a lot of perspective to the history unfolding at that time (and truth that it communicates). Also, the author(s) bring the information to heart-level with thought provoking questions interspersed, helping to engage our hearts, not only our heads which is the end-goal anyway!

This summer I read several Old Testament books for possible use in the Seminary course I would teach for the fall and spring semesters. I found that "Encountering the Old Testament" Christian Survey 2nd Edition, more than met the reqirements for our Freshman and Sophomore Classes. The reading material is most informative and held my interest during my research. As an instructor, the layout, text, chapter outlines and source materials listed proved most accurate and helpful when preparing my syllabus and additional course assignments. This book will be an excellent reference book and a book for any biblical library. I would recommend this book as a source of study for students in Bible College, Seminary and persons interested in Biblical Studies.

This has been one of the most enjoyable text books I've read. It gives concise information and traditional interpretations of the scriptures as well as historical customs. I have one major problem, the interactive CD-ROM only works on windows. So if you have a Mac, you get a great book but if you have windows you have interactive maps, quizzes, videos, and more. But I didn't realize it until I was trying to use these quizzes to study for an upcoming test.

The "Encountering" series are excellent and scholarly. I use them in my Old Testament Survey courses. The pictures, format and content are at the basic college/seminary level and will not overwhelm students with needless material. The questions in the back of each chapter are very helpful to students and guide them in identifying the key issues that they need to know. Of course, I require my students to actually read their Old Testaments too, which, when combined with Encountering the Old Testament provides students with a well rounded and substantial understanding of the history and theological development of the Old Testament.

A lovely book to ease your way through the OT.

Happy with my purchase and delivery was on time

One of our recommended book for studies and it showed more light in understanding the nature of the old testament

Excellent book and good condition

Great survey of the OT!