The Theology of the Hebrew Bible: An Introduction

The philosophical worldview of authors inevitably shapes the work they create. Never is this more true than in the field of biblical theology where unexposed assumptions impact the way scholars read, analyze, and expound the biblical text. This excellent introduction sets out to make the implicit explicit, exploring the impact of philosophical thought on Old Testament theology's most influential thinkers. Providing an overview of the discipline's development, Professor Hanes traces the intellectual and social currents that shaped Old Testament theology from early church history to today. Hanes carefully and systematically uncovers the underlying presuppositions that impacted the methodology of key theologians and the conclusions they ultimately drew. This is an important resource for anyone desiring to grow in their understanding of philosophy, theology, and the intersections between the two.

Review :
Dr Hanes's new work is a remarkably useful tool for students of biblical studies and theology. It provides a helpful and thorough survey of the main currents in the field helping to understand the context and contributions of Old Testament theologians and scholars. His work will prove useful to a generation of those serious about the use of Scripture in their academic work. Trey Dimsdale, JD, MDiv Director of Program Outreach, Acton Institute for the Study of Religion and Liberty I strongly recommend Professor Hanes's book An Introduction to the Theology of the Hebrew Bible to theological professionals to improve their reading and understanding of Hebrew biblical text, as well as to theological students to learn both to work critically with the biblical text and to approach available biblical interpretative literature with overview and criticism. Sidonia Horňanov�, PhD Associate Professor of Old Testament, Evangelical Lutheran Theological Faculty, Comenius University, Bratislava, Slovakia I commend this book with hope that it will fulfill the author's intended function and help readers to see God's salvation through the Bible in a new context of Revelation 11:15. I firmly believe that it will also serve as a useful working tool for interpreting biblical texts to all preachers, evangelists, catechists, chaplains and social workers in Christian institutions. J�n Ligus, PhD Professor of Hermeneutics and Systematic Theology, Hussite Theological Faculty, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic In a context where not every student of theology is fluent in English and all there is to read on any given topic is what the instructor provides, Hanes's book serves the clear purpose of providing a very short introduction demonstrating that biblical theology has often been the slave of its proponents' philosophical convictions. This English translation fills a lacuna for pastors and young theologians, exposing the invisible philosophical underpinnings of modern schools of biblical theology. Todd L. Patterson, PhD Professor of Old Testament, Department of Theology and Christian Education, Matej Bel University, Banska Bystrica, Slovakia An Introduction to the Theology of the Hebrew Bible gives a short overview of studies in this discipline, from the Early Church (yes even from the New Testament) to the first decade in the twenty-first century, relating it - from an evangelical background - to the philosophical and theological backgrounds of their authors. The fact that this work is short has the advantage of keeping the lines clear without losing itself in details. G. W. Lorein, PhD Professor of Old Testament, Evangelische Theologische Faculteit, Leuven, Belgium