Knowing God the Father Through the Old Testament - (Knowing God Through the Old Testament Set) by Christopher J H Wright (Paperback)

About the Book

Christopher Wright explores in depth the Father images that pervade the biblical narratives, psalms and prophetic texts of the Old Testament. God is acknowledged as tender yet terrifying, challenging to the nations and yet intimately personal, offering loving care, provision, discipline and forgiveness.

Book Synopsis

It's almost second nature for Christians to call God Father. Jesus taught his followers as much, although for them it was apparently a surprising practice. The worshiping community of the Old Testament used fatherly images for understanding God's character and actions, but "Father" was not a common way for believers to address God. In Knowing God the Father Through the Old Testament, Christopher Wright explores in depth the images that pervade the biblical narratives, psalms and prophetic texts of the Old Testament. God is acknowledged as tender yet terrifying, challenging to the nations and yet intimately personal, offering loving care, provision, discipline and forgiveness. This is the God whom Jesus knew, and whom we can know, as Father. Such knowledge of God is far from merely devotional or doctrinal, but governs our worldview, personal and social ethics, and expectations of the future.

Review Quotes

"A great starting point for sermons on the nature of God and His will."

--Pulpit Helps, December 2007

"An experience of biblical theology from which any believer can benefit."

--Dianne Bergant, The Bible Today, May 2009

"Here is theology that feeds the soul in an immediate way, without getting sentimental. Pastors and church members will be rewarded in pocking up this work and meditating on the various topics that fill out a Christian understanding of who God is as our Father."

--Mark D. Vander Hart, Mid-America Journal of Theology, vol. 19

"I had originally expected an academic treatment of God the Father in the Old Testament (OT) with many references to Hebrew grammar but this is not what I got. What I did get was a very easy to read, somewhat devotional treatment of God as Father in the OT."

--Nick Norelli, Rightly Dividing the Word of Truth, December 14, 2007

"The reviewer commends it as a volume that will reward careful readers willing to reflect on its author's numerous perceptive insights."

--Robert B. Chisholm, Bibliotheca Sacra, October-December 2010

"Wright capably demonstrates proper theological methodology while performing limied exegetical evaluation of the biblical text, demonstrating a biblical theological approach that can be grasped by the common reader."

--R. Alan Fuhr, Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society, March 2009

"A great starting point for sermons on the nature of God and His will."--Pulpit Helps, December 2007

"An experience of biblical theology from which any believer can benefit."--Dianne Bergant, The Bible Today, May 2009

"Here is theology that feeds the soul in an immediate way, without getting sentimental. Pastors and church members will be rewarded in pocking up this work and meditating on the various topics that fill out a Christian understanding of who God is as our Father."--Mark D. Vander Hart, Mid-America Journal of Theology, vol. 19

"I had originally expected an academic treatment of God the Father in the Old Testament (OT) with many references to Hebrew grammar but this is not what I got. What I did get was a very easy to read, somewhat devotional treatment of God as Father in the OT."--Nick Norelli, Rightly Dividing the Word of Truth, December 14, 2007

"The reviewer commends it as a volume that will reward careful readers willing to reflect on its author's numerous perceptive insights."--Robert B. Chisholm, Bibliotheca Sacra, October-December 2010

"Wright capably demonstrates proper theological methodology while performing limied exegetical evaluation of the biblical text, demonstrating a biblical theological approach that can be grasped by the common reader."--R. Alan Fuhr, Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society, March 2009

About the Author

Christopher J. H. Wright (Ph.D., Cambridge) is director of international ministries for Langham Partnership International/John Stott Ministries. He was formerly principal of All Nations Christian College in Ware, England. He is the author of a number of books, including The Mission of God: Unlocking the Bible's Grand Narrative, Knowing Jesus Through the Old Testament and Knowing the Holy Spirit Through the Old Testament.