Waltke on Theological Positions

Part One of Waltke and Yu's An Old Testament Theology: An Exegetical, Canonical, and Thematic Approach is given over to introductory matters relating the study of OT theology, Biblical theology, and hermeneutics. I found the closing section of chapter two to be particularly helpful. The sections is titled "CHRISTIAN" ATTITUDES TOWARD THE BIBLE (pp. 73-77).

Granted, the authors describe their categories as "simplistic" and a "cartoonish presentation;" however, these broad definitions are very helpful in that they provide a clear, and I think accurate, view of each theological position in relation to the others.

I have tried to identify the theological positions of authors for the TheoSource book lists and have found this to be a difficult task. Cyril Barber and John Glynn have also attempted to label authors according to their most obvious theological position, and sometimes I have to disagree with them. Sometimes their assessments disagree with each other. All in all, this is a difficult and some times dangerous task. But, we must attempt to determine the theological positions of the authors we read. As I said, I think that Waltke offers some very good help in this matter. Here is an outline of his view of the various theological positions:

• Liberal Theologians Stand above the Bible

"...those who put reason above revelation and...embrace historical criticism..."

• Neoorthodox Theologians Stand before the Bible

"These...[expect] that through preaching of the words of the Bible will become the word of God as the Bible's audience encounters them in the written "witness" to Jesus Christ."

• Traditionalists Place Traditions/Confessions alongside the Bible

"...find their authority in both the text and in the tradition that accompanies it."

• Fundamentalists Stand on the Bible

"...those who presume the Bible does not stray from their standards of accuracy, especially in matters of science and historiography. They presume their interpretive horizon represents truth and that the biblical writers...will not stray from the "accuracy" of their modern horizon."

• Evangelicals Stand under the Bible

"...accept[s] the inerrancy of Scripture as to its Source and its infallibility as to its authority." "[He] consider[s] the Bible utterly trustworthy, and [he] commit[s] [his] life to it, but [he] do[es] not presume to know beforehand the exact nature of its parts. With this posture, [he] continue[s] to learn and allow [himself] to be taught and corrected by the Bible."

What follows is my attempt to graphically display these labels.

Waltke, Bruce and Charles Yu. An Old Testament Theology: An Exegetical, Canonical, and Thematic Approach. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2007. Hardcover, 1024 pages.

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Waltke on Theological Positions

Waltke's An Old Testament Theology Wins ECPA Award

In the Bible Reference & Study category Bruce Waltke's An Old Testament Theology: An Exegetical, Canonical, and Thematic Approach (Zondervan, 2007) is the winner of the ECPA Christian Book Award.

View the other Winners

As I have been reading through this massive tome, I have found it to be encyclopedic in nature. The book is outlined very clearly with nary a pertinent issue left undiscussed. It is a treasure trove on Biblical Theology (focused on the OT but with eyes wide-open to the NT).

I am glad to see that it is receiving such recognition. Unlike some OT Theologies that will only collect dust, this volume is sure to repay bountifully the student who carefully and frequently puts it to use.

Congratulations Dr. Waltke!

Waltke's An Old Testament Theology Wins ECPA Award

The Unifying Theme of the Bible | Bruce Waltke

Waltke unpacks this issue more fully in chapter 6 of An Old Testament Theology: An Exegetical, Canonical, and Thematic Approach, but I have only made it into chapter 2. However, Waltke has already provided a sense of direction by addressing the issue of the unity of the Bible in chapter 1.

Having set forth his conservative presuppositions regarding revelation, inspiration, and illumination, Waltke lays out "four ideological and methodological stances...critical to the discipline of biblical theology...assumed in this book" (p. 39). The fourth implication of his presuppositions is his belief in the unity of the Bible. In terms somewhat similar to those of Oehler's definition of special revelation, Waltke reveals what he believes to be the common theme of the Bible, namely,

that God is establishing his kingship over a hostile world to establish his glory. The bond that unites the testaments is the sense of God's divine activity in revelatory history in progressively establishing his rule in heaven on earth from the creation of the cosmos (Genesis 1) to his creation of the new cosmos (Revelation 21-22). (p. 45)

I am compelled to add that in this section Waltke directs the reader via a footnote to Christopher J. H. Wright's Knowing Jesus Through the Old Testament (IVP, 1992) calling it "a superb work" (p. 45, fn. 50). I have not yet read this book, but I recently finished reading Wright's latest book, Salvation Belongs to Our God (IVP, 2008) which seeks to present a cosmic view of God's saving work. Wright, an Old Testament scholar too, is a must read for those interested in Biblical Theology.

Also,

...for his glory God is breaking into this hostile world with his rule... (p. 51)

The Unifying Theme of the Bible | Bruce Waltke

RBL Recent Reviews

A couple of reviews recently published by RBL have caught my eye. These are worth taking reading as you consider building your theological library.

1. Philippus Botha's review of John Goldingay's commentary Psalms: Psalms 1-41, BCOTWP, Vol. 1 (2006). Here's a link to this favorable review: RBL 02/2008
2. Tiberias Rata's review of Bruce Waltke's A Commentary on Micah, (2007). Here is link to this favorable review: RBL 02/2008
   

RBL Recent Reviews

An Old Testament Theology | Waltke & Yu

I've been enjoying Dr Waltke's lectures on the Psalter and had heard that he was working on an OT Theology. Well here it is.

Waltke, Bruce and Charles Yu. An Old Testament Theology: An Exegetical, Canonical, and Thematic Approach. Zondervan, October 2007. Hardcover, 1024 pages.

ISBNs: 0310218977 / 9780310218975

Features: Thumb Indexed, Index Included

List Price: $44.99 (USD) $53.99 (CAD) £26.99 (GBP)

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Purchase: WTS ($29.24) | CBD ($32.99) | Amazon ($29.69)



Now you can search this book online.

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Synopsis (from Zondervan's website):
An Old Testament theology by a leading Old Testament scholar who combines a technical with a spiritual understanding of the Old Testament.

Description:
The Old Testament is more than a religious history of the nation of Israel. It is more than a portrait gallery of heroes of the faith. It is even more than a theological and prophetic backdrop to the New Testament. Beyond these, the Old Testament is inspired revelation of the very nature, character, and works of God. As renowned Old Testament scholar Bruce Waltke writes in the preface of this book, the Old Testament’s every sentence is “fraught with theology, worthy of reflection.”

This book is the result of decades of reflection informed by an extensive knowledge of the Hebrew language, the best of critical scholarship, a deep understanding of both the content and spirit of the Old Testament, and a thoroughly evangelical conviction. Taking a narrative, chronological approach to the text, Waltke employs rhetorical criticism to illuminate the theologies of the biblical narrators. Through careful study, he shows that the unifying theme of the Old Testament is the “breaking in of the kingdom of God.” This theme helps the reader better understand not only the Old Testament, but also the New Testament, the continuity of the entire Bible, and ultimately, God himself.

Dr Bruce K. Waltke (PhD, Dallas Theological Seminary; PhD, Harvard Divinity School) Professor of Old Testament at Reformed Theological Seminary in Orlando, Florida, and professor emeritus of biblical studies at Regent College in Vancouver. www.brucewaltke.com

Other Works:
Finding the Will of God: A Pagan Notion? (Regent Publishing, 2002) [WTS]
Genesis: A Commentary (Zondervan, 2001) [WTS]
Introduction to Biblical Hebrew and Syntax (Eisenbrauns, 1990) [WTS]
NICOT: The Book of Proverbs, 2 volumes (Eerdmans, 2004, 2005) [WTS: volume 1 | volume 2]
A Commentary on Micah (Eerdmans, 2007) [WTS]

Companion Volume:
You may also want to note that Zondervan has previously published a NT companion volume.

Thielman, Frank. Theology of the New Testament: A Canonical and Synthetic Approach. Zondervan, September 2005. Hardcover, 800 pages. (WTS Bookstore $28.79)

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An Old Testament Theology | Waltke & Yu

So, What's on Your "iPod"?

Well, I don't use an iPod; they're too pricey. Rather, I use a Sansa Express and I've really liked the way that it works. If you don't have one already I would recommend the Sansa product line.

Anyway, what I've seen and read on a number of blogs, lately, has to do with online sermons and lectures by well known preachers and teachers. Actually, this is a great way to learn about authors whom you've heard about but have not had the opportunity to read their works. I'm thinking in particular of theologians such as N. T. Wright, Ben Witherington, III, D. A. Carson, Gordon Wenham, and others. I've learned a lot about these men by hearing from them first-hand. On top of that, conferences are expensive so it is a great service to the public that many of these sermons and lectures can be downloaded from the internet.

I try to listen to something on my way to and from work, and while I run. This has been a great way to redeem a lot of dead time. Sure, peace and quite is often invaluable, but when I can I try to listen to good sermons or lectures.

Here's what's on my Sansa...

1. Dr. Bruce Waltke [These are fantastic lectures on the Book of Psalms.]
   
1. Introduction to the Book: The Theological Setting
2. The Cultic Background of the Psalms
3. The Historical Approach to the Psalms - I
4. The Historical Approach to the Psalms - II
5. The Literary Background of the Psalms
6. The Individual Lament Form of Psalm
7. Penitential Psalm of Lament
2. Dr. Gordon Wenham [I have found these to be helpful.]
1. Reading the Psalms Ethically
2. Reading the Psalms Messianically
3. Reading the Psalms Canonically
3. Walter Brueggemann [I was disappointed by these lectures.]
1. Introduction to Wisdom Literature
2. Wisdom Writings
3. Proverbs
4. Job
5. Psalms
4. Dr. Ben Witherington, III
1. Background Issues to the Study of the New Testament
2. Where is Jesus in All This? A Review of the Work of the Jesus Seminar [NOTE: This is fantastic!!!! You ought to listen to it.]
5. Dr. Robert Reymond
1. Winning The War For The Souls Of Men
2. The Perfections Of God - His Omnipresence
3. The Perfections Of God - His Omniscience
4. The Perfections Of God - His Justice
5. The Immeasurable Greatness Of The Love Of God
   
6. Where Can This God Be Found?
   
7. God's Patient Longsuffering
   
6. Richard Baxter
1. The Reformed Pastor [Downloaded for free a couple of months ago from Christian Audio.]

So, what's on your "iPod"?

So, What's on Your "iPod"?