Old Testament Introduction: Back to Basics (Barrett)

Author:

Barrett, Michael P.V.

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SKU:

9798886861860

Publisher:

Reformation Heritage Books

Format:

Hardcover

Pages:

672

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Here is an Old Testament introduction from someone deeply convinced that he’s handling the word of the living God. Many introductions waste inordinate time on skeptical theories. Dr. Michael Barrett’s formidable expertise does not prevent him from adopting a different posture: bowing humbly beneath Scripture rather than standing in judgment over it.

This is a rare work of scholarly rigor that will be of great use not just in the classroom, but also in the pulpit and in the pew. Ordinary Christians will benefit from new insights into familiar passages while their pastors will interpret with greater clarity and preach with renewed conviction.

Make this your guide to understanding the background, authorship, and themes of each book in the Old Testament. Already adopted by professors across the US for instruction in classrooms this fall, we pray that God will be pleased to grant a great harvest from this great labor.

full-color photographs, illustrations, maps, and charts
700 pages covering general topics and every Old Testament book
11 excursus on challenging Old Testament topics like the divine name and life after death

Interpret with clarity and preach with conviction.

Dr. Michael Barrett blends scholarly rigor with practical applications, calling his approach “a new book from an old-school perspective.” His Old Testament Introduction will become an essential tool for students, pastors, and Bible teachers who seek exegetical precision and impactful insights. Forged by a seasoned evangelical scholar with decades in the classroom and the pulpit, Dr. Barrett’s work stands on this bedrock conviction: Scripture is God’s inspired Word. From that foundation, readers are equipped to tackle critical theories while understanding the timeless relevance of the Old Testament for Christians today.

Contents

List of Tables
Acknowledgements
Introduction

General Introduction

1. The Books of the Bible
Excursus 1: Higher Criticism Relating to the Bible’s Origin
2. The Words of the Bible
3. The Time of the Bible
4. Archaeology and the Bible

Special Introduction

Introduction to the Pentateuch
5. Genesis
Excursus 2: The Old Testament versus Ancient Near East Texts
6. Exodus
Excursus 3: Miracles
Excursus 4: Yahweh, The Divine Name
7. Leviticus
8. Numbers
9. Deuteronomy

Introduction to the Historical Books
10. Joshua
Excursus 5: Who Are the Hebrews?
11. Judges and Ruth
12. Samuel
13. Kings
Excursus 6: Baal
14. Postexilic Histories

Introduction to Poetic and Wisdom Books
15. Job
Excursus 7: Old Testament Theology of Life after Death
16. Psalms
Excursus 8: Identification of Messianic Psalms
17. Proverbs
18. Ecclesiastes
19. Song of Solomon

Introduction to the Prophets
20. Obadiah
Excursus 9: The Day of the Lord
21. Joel
22. Jonah
23. Amos
24. Hosea
25. Micah
26. Isaiah
27. Nahum
28. Zephaniah
29. Habakkuk
30. Jeremiah and Lamentations
31. Ezekiel
32. Daniel
Excursus 10: Daniel 11, Before and After
33. Haggai
34. Zechariah
Excursus 11: Zechariah’s Visions
35. Malachi

Afterword: Personal Reflections
Glossary of Terms and Expressions
Works Cited
Scripture Index
Subject Index
Credits and Permissions

Endorsements

“Michael Barrett has a contagious passion for expounding the Old Testament for New Testament believers. He treats the essential elements with an unashamed belief in the verbal inspiration and inerrancy of Scripture. Book by book, Barrett masterfully shows how the first three-quarters of the Bible advances the redemptive plan of God through Christ. Old Testament Introduction is an ideal text for conservative students in any theological tradition.”
—Ken Casillas, professor of Old Testament interpretation, Bob Jones University Seminary

“The fruit of a lifetime of study, this rigorous and accessible Old Testament introduction is ideal for ministers, seminarians, professors, and laymen alike. My dear friend Michael Barrett traces themes of creation, corruption, the Curse-Reverser, and the covenant. He displays the gospel according to the Old Testament by unveiling Genesis to Malachi in a distinctly Christ-centered way. I cannot commend this book enough as a bookshelf staple for every pastor and theological student.”
—Dr. Joel R. Beeke, chancellor of Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary and pastor of Heritage Reformed Congregation, Grand Rapids, Michigan

About the Author

Michael Barrett serves as senior research professor of Old Testament at Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary. He was previously the president of Geneva Reformed Seminary and taught for 30 years at Bob Jones University. Known for his Old Testament scholarship, he has authored many books and numerous articles for professional journals and religious publications. He and his wife, Sandra, have two sons and five grandchildren.

Errata
08/07/25 — Page 164, first full paragraph: These words should be in quotes: “God is preeminently present in worship,” ,“in the mundane duties of life,” and "Leviticus distinguishes between the permanent presence of God.” The author is indebted to G. J. Wenham, The Book of Leviticus, The New International Commentary on the Old Testament (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1979), 16–29 for much of this theological analysis.