A SURVEY OF OLD TESTAMENT

The document “A Survey of Old Testament” by Gleason Archer is a comprehensive introduction aimed at college and seminary students, ministers, and serious Bible students. Here’s a summary of its key content:

Overview

This scholarly work provides a conservative evangelical view of the Old Testament, affirming its divine inspiration and inerrancy. Archer emphasizes the need to understand the ancient historical and cultural contexts to accurately interpret the text.

Structure

The book is divided into two major parts:
1. General Introduction – Covers the Hebrew manuscripts, textual criticism, the canon of the Old Testament, and historical-critical methods, especially the Documentary Hypothesis and its modern critiques.
2. Special Introduction – Analyzes each Old Testament book individually, discussing authorship, date, historical context, and theological themes.

Key Themes

• Inspiration and Authority: The Old Testament is presented as divinely inspired, with fulfilled prophecy as evidence of its authenticity.
• Textual Reliability: Archer defends the textual transmission of the Hebrew Bible, arguing that despite minor copyist errors, the message remains intact and doctrinally reliable.
• Historical Validity: Archaeological and historical evidence is cited to support the antiquity and authenticity of the biblical narratives.
• Critique of Liberal Scholarship: The book critiques liberal and neoorthodox approaches, particularly those that challenge traditional authorship and the historicity of biblical events.

Appendices

Includes extensive resources like biblical chronology, comparisons with other ancient writings, and responses to claims in the Quran and Mormon scriptures.