A Theology of the Old Testament - Paperback

by John L. McKenzie (Author)

By thoroughly investigating every aspect of theology to be found in the Old Testament, Father McKenzie offers a total theological statement of this timeless record. The theology of the Old Testament, he writes, has to be the study of the reality of Yahweh. The Old Testament is the sole literary witness to that reality as the record of the experience of Israel. Seven categories outline the book: cult, revelation, history, nature, wisdom, political and social institutions, and the future of Israel. Together, these categories provide a pathway to God that is far more complete than that which can be experienced by any individual. For McKenzie, the Hebrew scriptures are to be understood as the independent record of the early Israelite community's experience with God, rather than as a prelude to or forecast of the New Testament.

Author Biography

Father John L. McKenzie (1910-1991), an Old Testament biblical scholar who taught at Loyola University of Chicago, University of Chicago, Notre Dame and DePaul University, is considered one of the most influential post-WW2 scholars who oriented Catholic thinkers toward modern biblical scholarship. Beyond being a prolific writer of books and articles, he was the first Catholic president of the Society of Biblical Literature, and served as president for the Catholic Biblical Association and for Clergy and Laity Concerned.