2011 Preaching Today Magazine Book Award winner! The Old Testament is filled with intriguing characters, stories and themes. But preaching from its remote historical context wrapped in sometimes unfamiliar literary genres and narrative devices can be daunting. Based on the conviction that the Old Testament texts are a vital and dynamic part of the Christian canon and pertinent to Christian practice, this stimulating volume offers guidance for expository preaching and practical suggestions for understanding the message of its diverse literature. The chapters cover narrative, plot, characters, genre and preaching from difficult texts. The book concludes with a vital chapter on preaching Christ from the Old Testament, which offers a theological account of biblical interpretation without unnaturally forcing the texts. The contributors are internationally respected evangelical Old Testament scholars, from a wide range of church traditions and global regions, who are also active in preaching: Daniel I. Block, David G. Firth, Grenville J. R. Kent, Paul J. Kissling, Alison Lo, Tremper Longman III, Ernest C. Lucas, R. W. L. Moberly, Laurence A. Turner, Frederico G. Villanueva, Gordon Wenham, H. G. M. Williamson and Christopher J. H. Wright. Here is a book that will help you use all of the Bible's rich resources in preaching the good news of the global kindgom of God.

“This festschrift honors one of the most important Old Testament scholars in the modern Mennonite tradition, and the essays produced by colleagues and former students reflect Janzen's influence and productivity as both a scholar and a teacher.” —Daniel L. Smith-Christopher, Loyola Marymount University

Is the Old Testament relevant for today? Yes! Discover the unifying theme of the “Old” and “New” Testaments — and of history! — in God’s promise-plan first given to Abraham in Genesis 12. Cross-cultural workers and students of the Bible will discover valuable insights and new zeal for searching and communicating the Scriptures in this very readable book based on years of massive scholarship.

The unusual approach of this book allows it to become an introduction to Biblical studies in general, to the "Old" Testament in particular, and to Christian theology that is a natural byproduct of quality biblical study. It is an attempt to build a bridge between a far away yesterday and the fast-coming tomorrow. The bridge is Yahweh (God) who was, is, and is yet to come. The approach found in these pages is not typical. Focusing on the significance of the Hebrew (Jewish) heritage for contemporary Christian faith introduces an integration of subjects not limited by yesterday's blind spots or today's sometimes arid and isolated academic specializations. This work intend to be particularly conscious of today as it ought to be, that is, based on the divine wisdom of yesterday and the divine being of every day.

Lament, so prominent in the Christian canon, is neglected in the public worship and witness of most North American congregations. These essays by Princeton Theological Seminary faculty attest to the diverse ways in which lament is understood and practiced, and invite their recovery in all elements of the church's ministry.