LEARNING ABOUT THE OLD TESTAMENT
A Biblical-Theological Introduction
By Allan Harman
Banner of Truth. 127 pages. £5.50
ISBN 978 1 848 717 435
I want to confess something no preacher should confess … I’m terrified of the Old Testament.
Since beginning my pastorate in September last year, I have preached from Acts, Hebrews, 1 Corinthians and the Lord’s Prayer. All good stuff, but there’s something missing.
So I was delighted – if not a little jumpy – when this book arrived on my doormat. It seemed to be just what the doctor ordered.
Allan Harman wants to persuade us that the Old Testament isn’t ‘just a collection of thrilling stories and strange rules’, but that it is in fact ‘a source of guidance and learning that helps maintain a vigorous life’.
Covenant keys
So he explains the different aspects of the Old Testament, and one of his real areas of focus is on the covenants. Harman says that this is ‘how God relates with humanity’.
We span creation, through Noah and Abraham, right up to the centuries just preceding the coming of the Messiah. We also get a survey of key moments such as the Exodus, the Ten Commandments and the Exile, as well as explanations of the big Old Testament leadership roles like kings, prophets, priests and poets.
The cure
But did it cure me of my terror? Yes. You should read this. It helped me and I think it will help you.
I have in fact just started a new preaching series from the book of Exodus. I just hope I won’t get any nightmares.
