“This is the third and last volume of my trilogy of introductions to the Old Testament. It deals with the third collection known as the ‘Writings.’ The book is divided into three parts, the first dedicated to the Book of Psalms, the second devoted to Wisdom literature, and the third presenting a conclusion to the entire three-volume series. In the third part I address two controversial yet vitally important issues: the relationship between the two Testaments and the authoritative value of the Old Testament for a Christian.” —“Foreword”
Summary Old Testament Chronology Abbreviations Foreword I—Psalms 1 The Origins of Kingship Tribal Society The Tribal Deity Kingship The Deity As King 2 Kingly Victory V.1 The Lord reigns, he is robed in majesty; The Lord is robed, he is girded with strength. The world is surely established; it shall never be shaken; V.2 Your throne was established from of old; from everlasting you are. V.3 The currents raised, O Lord, the currents raised their roar, the currents raised their waves. V.4 Stronger than thundering waters, Mightier than sea breakers, Mighty in heaven is the Lord. V.5 Your decres are very sure; holiness befits your house, O Lord, forevermore. Victory and Enthronement šalom and simhah 3 The Other Kingly Functions Subjection of Human Enemies Justice The Wicked Universalism Versus Locality 4 God’s Kingly Attributes Loyalty and Faithfulness (hesed we’emet) God’s Righteousness God’s Glory God’s Name 5 The Relationship Between Heavenly King and Earthly King Suzerain and Vassal Divine Justice Executed by the King 6 The King’s Prayers The King As High Priest The King As the Subject of the “Individual” Prayer Most Psalms are Royal Temple Psalmody Appendix 7 Exilic and Post-Exilic Psalmody Exaltation of the Law Wisdom Psalms Historical Psalms and the God of the Pentateuch Anti-History Liturgy The Niceo-Costantinopolitan Creed 8 The Psalter Rereading of Pre-Exilic Psalms The Ascription to David Collections of Psalms The Book of Psalms II—Wisdom Literature 9 Wisdom The City Gates The Elders Wisdom and Folly The Universality of Wisdom The Time and Space Factor The Council of Elders The Nature of Wisdom Wisdom, King, and God Wisdom and the Law 10 The Post-Exilic Period Wisdom vs. Law Wisdom and the One God Personified Wisdom The Law in the Wisdom Writings The Solomonic Literature 11 The Wisdom Writings The Fear of The Lord Proverbs Ecclesiastes Job The Song of Songs Ruth 12 Wisdom of Sirach or Ecclesiasticus The prologue The original work Sirach as Scripture Wisdom and Scripture Wisdom Literature as Scripture Wisdom of Solomon 13 The Function of Wisdom Literature III—The Old Testament in the Church 14 Continuity and Discontinuity Between the Old Testament and the New Testament The Contemporary Debate Similarity between the Marcionite and Contemporary Approaches The Oneness of the Old Testament The Judaic Scripture God’s Universalism The New Testament The Unity of the Bible 15 The Authority of the Old Testament Selected Bibliography Index of Scriptural References Index of Subjects
Item Number: BKV753 Publication data: Crestwood, NY: St Vladimir’s Seminary Press, 1996 Format: softcover Number of pages: xiv + 207 Dimensions (l × w × h): 21.5 cm × 14.1 cm × 1.6 cm ISBN: 0‒88141‒107-8
