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A Survey of Old Testament Introduction
In this revised volume, Gleason Archer approaches the study of the Old Testament from both the general and the specific point of view. Dealing first with issues over which many scholars debate, Archer offers evidence to support the conservative view of: canonicity, historicity, inspiration, textual problems, higher criticism. The second section dissects each book of the Old Testament individually, presenting discussions of specific issues related to that particular book. Archer thoroughly covers such issues as: Biblical creationism, Noah's ark and the flood, authorship, chronology, language, style, and theme differences. A Survey of Old Testament Introduction is invaluable to students, scholars, and laymen who want to understand the conservative position of Old Testament issues and are not afraid to examine critical views.
608 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1974
About the author
Gleason L. Archer Jr.
17 books6 followersGleason Leonard Archer, Jr. was a Biblical scholar, educator and author.
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
November 27, 2013
An Old Testament PhD student recommended Archer as a good, general, upper college level introduction to me. I went to liberal arts school where all the students kiss the ground that Wellhausen walked on. For them to even think of questioning The Documentary Hypothesis is to blaspheme Christ (or more accurately, liberal progressivism). Therefore, I trembled for joy when I bought Archer. Having been indoctrinated by the critical theories I was overjoyed when I saw someone apply sensible scholarship to a holy love for God.
Archer's set up is odd, to be honest with you. Unlike Dillard & Longman (Bibliography/Genre/Authorship/Background/theology/Approach to New Testament)Archer approaches the individual books quite differently. He is more into archeology breakthroughs, names of certain kings, "problem texts". My one flaw with the book is that he did not develop theological themes enough.
However, the First and last sections of the book are well worth the price. Archer aims his cannons at unbelieving critical theories and blows them out of the water. First he estavlishes the presuppositions of criticl scholars. If you do not believe that God is able to reveal Himself (or exists, for that matter) then naturally you will doubt the supernatural inspriation of the sacred text. In this section the most exciting part is the refutation of the Documentary Hypothesis. In the last part he examines the work of three prominent Old Testament scholars--Von Rad, Childs, and Noth. He is fair--analyzing them by their presuppositions--and then states his.
This book deserves highest possible praise. Interestingly, and I didn't know this when I first read it, but Archer holds to the pre-wrath rapture theory. I would like to reread what he said on Zechariah 14 in light of that information.
Archer's set up is odd, to be honest with you. Unlike Dillard & Longman (Bibliography/Genre/Authorship/Background/theology/Approach to New Testament)Archer approaches the individual books quite differently. He is more into archeology breakthroughs, names of certain kings, "problem texts". My one flaw with the book is that he did not develop theological themes enough.
However, the First and last sections of the book are well worth the price. Archer aims his cannons at unbelieving critical theories and blows them out of the water. First he estavlishes the presuppositions of criticl scholars. If you do not believe that God is able to reveal Himself (or exists, for that matter) then naturally you will doubt the supernatural inspriation of the sacred text. In this section the most exciting part is the refutation of the Documentary Hypothesis. In the last part he examines the work of three prominent Old Testament scholars--Von Rad, Childs, and Noth. He is fair--analyzing them by their presuppositions--and then states his.
This book deserves highest possible praise. Interestingly, and I didn't know this when I first read it, but Archer holds to the pre-wrath rapture theory. I would like to reread what he said on Zechariah 14 in light of that information.
May 6, 2014
Very well devised book of a diverse of material dealing with canonicity as well as authorship of the bible from a evangelical perspective. This read is great for PHD students and some will need to atleast have some Hebrew knowledge to understanding it a little better. Though a lot of seminary student will find this book on there shelf even though they are not at the PhD level it will still help them fight a great fight for faith in the scriptures. I believe that this will be a good base for understanding not only theology of old testament but also the importance of the foundational hermeneutics for a wonderful history of the people of God.
March 26, 2020
Basic, graduate-level, Old Testament introduction.
October 9, 2019
This book is pretty awful as an Old Testament introduction, as Archer really doesn’t spend much time expositing the Old Testament books themselves.
However, as a book that deals with perceived inconsistencies in the Old Testament, it’s top rate. Great for apologetics and skeptics, not so great for actually teaching and understanding the Bible.
However, as a book that deals with perceived inconsistencies in the Old Testament, it’s top rate. Great for apologetics and skeptics, not so great for actually teaching and understanding the Bible.
July 26, 2022
This book had a lot of really good information, both about the biblical text and relatively contemporary philosophical analysis. However, at times the author is needlessly tendentious and dismissive of contrary opinions even when his own are not quite as certain as he seems to think.
October 17, 2023
A detailed survey of major issues related to Old Testament scholarship, from Biblical criticism to special introductions. Although a little difficult to read at times because of all the little historical details, this book nonetheless is an excellent reference resource.
4.3/5
4.3/5
December 29, 2017
Good overall but very light. Instead go to "The World and the Word" or Longmann and Dillar's "Introduction to the Old Testament" .
January 25, 2021
Conservative. Helpful. A good resource to have.
May 24, 2022
Very thorough. Incredibly detailed. A hard book to read when you're just discovering the Bible because of its depth.
July 15, 2019
This is a reference book, so not exactly a page-turner. Nevertheless, Archer was a top flight scholar and this book is a great resource. Great tables, illustrations and photos too.
February 3, 2022
My favorite parts of this book were the very helpful outlines of each OT book. I'm not as interested in Critical Textual theory or of the baleful influence of unbelieving German academics, although I did appreciate Archer's alternative approach based on existing texts rather than fanciful, imaginary templates of texts that no one has seen.
The outlines were helpful to me in that I often have problems discerning the topic or purpose of many of the prophetic books.
The outlines were helpful to me in that I often have problems discerning the topic or purpose of many of the prophetic books.
February 28, 2021
A very good book that could be read as a textbook and as a normal invastigating book.
December 11, 2008
Gleason Archer's original version of this textbook went indepth to counter the teachings of the 'Higher Criticisim' school which attempted to discredit the authorship, dating, and consistency of the Old Testament.
Also contains book-by-book examinations of critical issues and solutions.
I used this as one of the textbooks for the Introduction to the Old Testament course I took in seminary.
Also contains book-by-book examinations of critical issues and solutions.
I used this as one of the textbooks for the Introduction to the Old Testament course I took in seminary.
June 3, 2014
This is not your ordinary beginners’ guide to the Old Testament. It is good meat for those who have the basic knowledge of the books in the OT. Tackles all issues with regard to the individual books – including latest archaeological findings and challeges faced by liberal criticism. Am doing my masters in theology and this is my main textbook for Old Testament studies.
May 25, 2010
I recommend this book as an excellent reference source on the OT from a conservative evangelical scholar. Very scholarly and with good critiques of the Higher Criticism approach to biblical scholarship.
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August 21, 20120173
October 10, 2012
I thought that this was a great work. It tackled all of the issues regarding the Old Testament. Well worth the read.
Want to read
December 1, 2014I THINK THAT IT IS A REALLY GOOD BOOK TO REVIEW AS WELL AS A GOOD STRUCTURES ANALLYSIS THE OLD TESTAMENT.
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July 28, 2021Read select portions.
May 2, 2017
Въведителната част е отлична. Като се има предвид, че подходът е консервативен, ценното в тази книга е, че показва по много убедителен начин как JEDP теорията не издържа на щателна научна проверка. По подобен начин авторът успява да защити и други по-консервативни схващания.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews