Description

Douglas Stuart shows how to study Old Testament texts. He explains how to find what they mean. His method looks at words and their meanings. It covers history and theology, the study of God. It looks at genre, or the kind of writing. It also covers textual criticism, the study of text versions. Each step calls for close reading and research.

This guide is for pastors and students of theology. It helps those who write papers or prepare sermons. Readers need not have formal training to use it. It helps them grasp the Bible's meaning for their lives.

Stuart questions teaching based on personal views or bias passed down. He calls for research, not claims with scant support in Scripture. Readers can use his steps on chosen Old Testament passages. This gives their study clear aims and a plan. They can also assess sermons, books, and articles. They learn to judge how well these works study Bible texts.

Stuart teaches Old Testament at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary. The school is in South Hamilton, USA. He has taught there for more than 44 years. He earned magna cum laude honors at Harvard College. In 1971, he earned his doctorate at Harvard. His field was Middle Eastern languages and literature. He has written many books and co-wrote Biblia ca literatura.