Learning about the Old Testament. A Biblical-Theological Introduction

Allan Harman, former principal of Presbyterian Theological College in Melbourne, has spent his whole life working in the field of Hebrew and Old Testament. He has written several commentaries on the books of the Old Testament.
In 2015 the Banner of Truth published a little book of this author on preparation for the Christian ministry. I can recom-mend it to every young man who wrestles with the question whether God calls him to the ministry. It is also very useful for theological students and pastors, who are already in the ministry for several years.

In 2017 the Banner of Truth published a little Biblical-theo-logical introduction to the Old Testament written by Harman. In this little book the author explains several different aspects of the Old Testament focusing on the covenant as central theme. Rightly he sees God’s covenant with humanity already in what God promised at creation.

God’s covenant with Noah in which he promise to preserve after the global flood the order of creation prepares the way for God’s covenant with Abraham as the central Old Testament covenant. God will undo through this covenant the fall of man and its consequences. 
The Old Testament finds its final fulfillment in Jesus Christ. Harman shows how the Messiah is anticipated in the Old Tes-tament. Brief surveys are given about worship in Ancient Israel and what it means to be a ruler of a king. The same is done for prophets, poets and wise men.

Harman’s book can help the reader to relate the Old Testament to his faith while doing justice to its real intent. It was really a joy to me to read this book; especially because the author is fully convinced of the divine authority and inspiration of this first part of Holy Scripture. 
I can heartily recommend it to all because it is not a technical. Although it is just a little introduction it is my wish that is will be read especially by theological students and young men who has the intention to start a theological training.

Allan M. Harman, Learning about the Old Testament. A Biblical-Theological Introduction (Edinburgh: The Banner of Truth, 2017), paperback 127 pp., £5,50 (ISBN 978-1-84871-743-5)

The Spirit of God in the Old Testament

Although the Spirit of God is an important subject in the Old Testament, relatively little scholarship has been focused on it. A couple of evangelical scholars has written a bundle as an attempt to make an contribution to remedy this defect. The bundle is arranged in eight main sections: orientation and Ancient Near Eastern context, the Sprit and creation, wisdom, creativity, pro-phecy, leadership, future and finally the Spirit at Qumran.

In the introduction the editors rightly state that although the spirit is also connected with creation in the Old Testament, the Spirit’s role is centered on empowering to service. In the Old Testament great emphasis is given to physical empowerment. This emphasis we do not see in the New Testament.
I would add that the New Testament in distinction to the Old Testament never speaks about the role of the Spirit in creation. The person and work of the Spirit has three focuses in the New Testament: the person of Christ, the Scriptures and the church. The last aspect is most emphasized.

In his article ‘Breath, Wind, Spirit and the Holy Spirit in the Old Testament’ Richard E. Averbeck point to the relationship between the role of the Spirit of God in creation and the renewing work of the Spirit in the transformation of the people of God, a trans-formation than can be compared with the resurrection from the dead.

In the article of John Walton on the Ancient Near Eastern background of the Spirit of God more emphasis falls on the discontinuity between the Old Testament than the continuity, although the last aspect is certainly not denied. Walton seems to deny that in the Old Testament the spirit can be related to the essence of YHWH. I am sure the continuity is greater than Walton suggests.

I can agree with what Jamie A. Grant writes in his article ‘Spirit and Presence in Psalm 139’: ‘So, while we are not talking about a fully evolved Trinitarian theology, it does seem that the psalmist is referring to the Spirit in Psalm 139:7 as a personal representation of the very essence of Yahweh’s being.’
When Daniel I. Block writes in his article ‘The view from the top’ that Spirit can be a synecdoche for YHWH himself in the Old Testament that tends in the same direction. In the Old Testament the Spirit of God can be portrayed as an extension of the personality of YHWH.

The articles of Willem VanGemeren and Robin Routledge on the Spirit and the future highlight the transforming and renewing activity of the Spirit of God. The background of the corporate renewing of the nation by the Spirit of God is the disaster of the exile. I would emphasis that especially here we see that what becomes the centre of the work of the Holy Spirit in the New Testament is already present in the Old Testament.

I consider that Presence, Power and Promise contributes in various ways to a better under­standing of the importance and significance of the spirit of God in the Old Testament.

David Firth and Paul Wegner (ed.), Presence, Power and Promise: The Role of the Spirit of God in the Old Testament, Nottingham, England: Apollos, 2011. Pp. 215. Paperback. £19,99. ISBN 978-1-84474-134-0.