Those who’ve read Dale Ralph Davis’ commentaries on Joshua – 2 Kings will be familiar with his unique blend of careful scholarship and explanation of the text, witty humour and homely illustrations, and clear and challenging application of the text. ‘The Word Became Fresh’ is no different and does not disappoint.
Spurred on by the fact that so many Christians think the Old Testament is such a ‘problem’, and why so many pastors shy away from expounding the Old Testament in their churches, Davis sends forth this tome as “an exercise in reading the Old Testament for fun and profit.” (preface, page ii). He takes us through the principles for handling the Bible, and Old Testament narrative in particular. He equips us with the tools for the task; but he by no means leaves us there. He then goes on, with many examples from his own study, to get alongside us and show us how to use these tools in mining the riches of the Old Testament narrative books.
One of the many great strengths of the book is that Davis keeps our noses in the Bible. He gives us principles for approaching, handling, applying and preaching Old Testament narrative; and then brings us immediately with him into his study working with us through a passage. Further, he doesn’t want us to remain unchanged as we see our glorious God revealed in the pages of the Bible, he is constantly pressing home the great truths of these passages as he works through them with us. This is very refreshing to see, a book on handling the Bible that keeps us in the Bible.
This is one of the freshest, clearest and helpful books I have read on handling the Bible. I cannot recommend it highly enough. I cannot count the number of times I have come back to it. It is a great reminder of how exiting Old Testament narrative is, and of the great riches there are to be mined within as we diligently study it in dependence on the God who has given it to us. Therefore it spurs us on to faithful study that we, and those we serve, may know and love the God who has revealed Himself through His Word (which includes Old Testament narrative). Buy it, but don’t lend it; buy them their own copy instead!
Spurred on by the fact that so many Christians think the Old Testament is such a ‘problem’, and why so many pastors shy away from expounding the Old Testament in their churches, Davis sends forth this tome as “an exercise in reading the Old Testament for fun and profit.” (preface, page ii). He takes us through the principles for handling the Bible, and Old Testament narrative in particular. He equips us with the tools for the task; but he by no means leaves us there. He then goes on, with many examples from his own study, to get alongside us and show us how to use these tools in mining the riches of the Old Testament narrative books.
One of the many great strengths of the book is that Davis keeps our noses in the Bible. He gives us principles for approaching, handling, applying and preaching Old Testament narrative; and then brings us immediately with him into his study working with us through a passage. Further, he doesn’t want us to remain unchanged as we see our glorious God revealed in the pages of the Bible, he is constantly pressing home the great truths of these passages as he works through them with us. This is very refreshing to see, a book on handling the Bible that keeps us in the Bible.
This is one of the freshest, clearest and helpful books I have read on handling the Bible. I cannot recommend it highly enough. I cannot count the number of times I have come back to it. It is a great reminder of how exiting Old Testament narrative is, and of the great riches there are to be mined within as we diligently study it in dependence on the God who has given it to us. Therefore it spurs us on to faithful study that we, and those we serve, may know and love the God who has revealed Himself through His Word (which includes Old Testament narrative). Buy it, but don’t lend it; buy them their own copy instead!
