What the Old Testament Authors Really Cared About is a brief, multi-author, book-by-book, Gospel-centered, theologically rich, thematic survey of the Old Testament written from a conservative, evangelical perspective, targeted toward college and seminary students and local churches, and designed to unpack the lasting message of the initial three-fourths of the Christian Scripture. It includes a different chapter for each book of Jesus’ Bible, following the arrangement of the Jewish canon (Law, Prophets, Writings) and attempting to show the theological significance of this structure. Each chapter synthesizes in three to six themes the lasting message of each book, focusing on what the biblical authors intended most to communicate within the context of Scripture. It is Gospel-centered and text based, portraying the Old Testament as foundation for a fulfillment found in the New Testament and celebrating the hope of Messiah and God’s kingdom as it is progressively disclosed in the Old Testament’s literary flow.

• Chapters are message-driven and arranged in the order of Jesus’ Jewish Bible (Luke 24:44).
• Focuses on how the Old Testament provides foundation for the fulfillment found in Christ.
• Over 160 sidebars clarify the Old Testament’s relationship to the New Testament or to the 21st century.
• Condenses introductory issues for each book to one-page snapshots of essential information.
• Nearly 200 color photographs, 12 maps, and 80 charts enhance the biblical message.

Contributors: Jason S. DeRouchie (editor), Daryl Aaron, Todd Bolen, John C. Crutchfield, Edward M. Curtis, Stephen G. Dempster, Daniel J. Estes, Donald Fowler, J. Daniel Hays, Chris A. Miller, D. Jeffrey Mooney, Andrew J. Schmutzer, Boyd Seevers, Gary V. Smith, Preston M. Sprinkle, Kenneth J. Turner, Gary E. Yates.

Endorsements

“How could I not enjoy a book in which the editor says ‘is designed as a springboard for delight in God—the supreme Savior, Sovereign, and Satisfier of the world’? Jason DeRouchie has a sure hand when it comes to guiding a team of scholars. The aroma of his God-centered, Christ-exalting commitments permeate this survey. This is not a book with lengthy and elaborate arguments, but a faithful and attractive rendering of conservative evangelical research into the Bible that Jesus said ‘cannot be broken’ (John 10:35). I would happily put this in the hand of every church member, praying, as the editor has, that it would ‘fuel a greater treasuring of God … through Jesus—the divine, crucified, and resurrected Messiah.'”
—John Piper, Founder and Teacher, DesiringGod.org

“Finally! An introduction to the only Bible Jesus had that tries to makes sense of each book by highlighting its life-giving message. This volume is invitingly organized and composed, and delightfully illustrated. If this does not inspire the curious and the fearful to read the Old Testament, I don ‘t know what will. We are grateful to Jason DeRouchie and the rest of the contributors for this magnificent resource.”
—Daniel I. Block, Gunther H. Knoedler Professor of Old Testament, Wheaton College

“No ordinary survey! This clear, concise, and easy-to-understand text will help church folks and serious students alike grasp the contribution of the Old Testament to the Bible as a single text with a unified plot structure that finds ultimate fulfillment in Jesus Christ. Beautiful pictures and helpful diagrams aid communication in a powerful way. I heartily recommend it!”
—Peter J. Gentry, Professor of Old Testament Interpretation, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary

Jason S. DeRouchie (PhD, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary) is associate professor of Old Testament at Bethlehem College & Seminary. He is passionate about helping Christians exalt Christ and treasure the hope of the gospel from the Old Testament. He is the author of numerous publications, including A Modern Grammar for Biblical Hebrew (with Duane A. Garrett).