Compare Waltke's book "An Old testament Theology" to his OT300 ME course

Does anyone have Bruce Waltke's 2007 book titled An Old Testament Theology and his recently released Mobile Ed Course titled OT300 Old Testament Theology?

Based on the table of contents of the two resources, I have the impression that the ME course is modeled largely on the book, but I'm also thinking that at 1,000+ pages, the book will have more content/details/specifics than can be worked into an ME course.

If you have access to both resources, can you share your thoughts as to their similarities and/or differences? Their pros and cons?

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Comments

Ted Weis

In the video, "Particulars of the Course," Waltke states:

...these lectures are really based upon my An Old Testament Theology; and really, it comes out of course like this. But if you want to look at more detail—I can only touch the surface of it in these lectures—if you want bibliography and research, then you might want to look at the more in-depth theology itself.

Bruce K. Waltke, OT300 Old Testament Theology, Logos Mobile Education (Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2018).

Hope that helps.

Rosie Perera

I TA'ed his course Old Testament Theology at Regent College, which was the foundation for the book. The book is outstanding. The course was great too, and I assume the MEd course is similar, though I haven't listened to it. But if I had to choose one or the other, I'd go with the book.

DAL

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/1026839#Comment_1026839

Yep 👍 whatever they said. Since I got the course real cheap, I prefer it since I’m a visual learner and it’s easier on the eyes to listen than to read. But I wouldn’t mind having the book for reference. 👍😁👌

DAL

EastTN

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/1026846#Comment_1026846

Waltke's Old Testament Theology was a textbook for a couple of my seminary classes. I found it quite helpful.

Rick Ausdahl

Based on the feedback so far, it does sound like the book and the course follow a similar path, but with the book likely spending more time for a closer look at things along the way.

On the flip side, I suppose that with the passing of 11 years since the book was published, Waltke may have gained a few thoughts and insights not in the book that might be in the course.

Thanks everyone--I appreciate your input. [:)]

HansK

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/1026856#Comment_1026856

The course was really cheap in Prepub. I have the book too, but like the course because Waltke is a great teacher with some humor too :-)

When you look at the Mobile Ed course by Fruchtenbaum, he reads from his book Israelogy almost verbatim. I like the message of his, but perhaps Logos should not have allowed him to speak. He is difficult to follow.

DAL

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/1026867#Comment_1026867

The course was really cheap in Prepub. I have the book too, but like the course because Waltke is a great teacher with some humor too :-)

When you look at the Mobile Ed course by Fruchtenbaum, he reads from his book Israelogy almost verbatim. I like the message of his, but perhaps Logos should not have allowed him to speak. He is difficult to follow.

That’s why I bought the book instead. I had heard of that before. Besides, the book cost me $12.50 on a Twitter Daily Deal 👍😁👌

David A Egolf

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/1026870#Comment_1026870

I got the course inexpensively. I was about to start it last night when I read this thread. I had a coupon from Faithlife which would expire in March. So, I cashed in the coupon and purchased the book. I stayed up late and read the Preface. I think I am really going to like this book.

Jesse Blevins

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/1027226#Comment_1027226

Has the audio of this course been made available yet?

Joe McCune (Faithlife)

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/1027918#Comment_1027918

Jesse, the audio is not finished yet. Once available it will automatically become available for all who own this course.

Puddin’

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/1027937#Comment_1027937

I have Waltke’s book also, but I find it a bit difficult to search for topics. For ex., I am really curious to see how he interprets Deuteronomy 22.5, but cannot seem to locate anything on this passage.

Same w. Isaiah 9.6, 44.24.

Rosie Perera

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/1028056#Comment_1028056

I have Waltke’s book also, but I find it a bit difficult to search for topics. For ex., I am really curious to see how he interprets Deuteronomy 22.5, but cannot seem to locate anything on this passage.

Same w. Isaiah 9.6, 44.24.

It's a biblical theology book, not a commentary. So you wouldn't expect it to cover every single verse. It covers the Old Testament thematically -- big picture stuff, traced over the whole OT. It's best read in large chunks, a whole chapter at a time, rather than searching in it for topics or verses.

That said, Waltke does make passing references to Deut 22:5 and Isaiah 9:6. Here's how to search for those:

Puddin’

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/1028065#Comment_1028065

I have Waltke’s book also, but I find it a bit difficult to search for topics. For ex., I am really curious to see how he interprets Deuteronomy 22.5, but cannot seem to locate anything on this passage.

Same w. Isaiah 9.6, 44.24.

It's a biblical theology book, not a commentary. So you wouldn't expect it to cover every single verse. It covers the Old Testament thematically -- big picture stuff, traced over the whole OT. It's best read in large chunks, a whole chapter at a time, rather than searching in it for topics or verses.

That said, Waltke does make passing references to Deut 22:5 and Isaiah 9:6. Here's how to search for those:

Got it! Interesting. Thank you taking the time to post this. Very helpful.

David A Egolf

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/1027937#Comment_1027937

Jesse, the audio is not finished yet. Once available it will automatically become available for all who own this course.

First, how will we know it has been downloaded?

Second, are there any rough estimates on when the audio will be available? I would like to put this course on my calendar. Meanwhile, I will be cruising through my OT reading for the year and also reading Waltke's book, which I bought based on the recommendations on this thread.

JT (alabama24)

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/1028454#Comment_1028454

First, how will we know it has been downloaded?

It would be a large download. Out of habit, I check all large downloads.

Michael S.

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/1028065#Comment_1028065

Rosie,

does Waltke maintain a sensus plenior? Does he interpret the OT in light of the NT?

Thanks!

Rosie Perera

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/1102693#Comment_1102693

does Waltke maintain a sensus plenior? Does he interpret the OT in light of the NT?

He takes a canonical approach. That is, he treats the Bible as a continuous canon, with the NT a further development of the ideas in the OT. He doesn't read NT revelation into the OT texts. To him the OT have to make sense in their own historical context.

Waltke explains how his approach differs from sensus plenior in an article quoted extensively here: https://davidschrock.com/2017/07/13/reading-the-psalms-canonically-neither-undisciplined-allegory-nor-christ-less-historicism/

Mark Rodgers

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/1103000#Comment_1103000

Thanks for this Rosie. I hadn't come across that paper before!

Rosie made reference to Bruce's lectures at the Regent College website. I also worked through his Regent OT Theology Course a while ago and it's excellent - the NT Theology course by Gordon Fee is outstanding! Obviously geared more to the seminarian, but even for the layperson (such as me), I found it excellent, accessible and incredibly informative.

Here is the link to his lectures: https://www.regentaudio.com/collections/bruce-waltke?sort_by=price-descending

Mark Rodgers

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/1103005#Comment_1103005

Should also say that another excellent foray into the OT is Epic of Eden by Sandra Richter.

Sandy is a great theologian, incredibly accessible and one of the most astute and personable professors I have met and listened to over the years. Here is the link to her book: https://www.logos.com/product/52911/the-epic-of-eden-a-christian-entry-into-the-old-testament

She has also produced a number of studies which are terrific!!! I have used them in small groups in Scotland and they are some of the best I have come across: https://store.seedbed.com/products/epic-of-eden-by-sandra-richter?_pos=5&_sid=fbdcd1481&_ss=r