"Dictionary of the New Testament Use of the Old Testament" (G.K. Beale, D.A. Carson, Benjamin L. Gladd, and Andrew David Naselli)

TITLE: Dictionary of the New Testament Use of the Old Testament
AUTHOR: G.K. Beale, D.A. Carson, Benjamin L. Gladd, and Andrew David Naselli
PUBLISHER: Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 2023, (992 pages)

The Old Testament and the New Testament are related in more than verbatim references by Jesus or any NT writers. Philip Yancey calls the Old Testament the Bible that Jesus read. The Scriptures pointed out in the New Testament are all (if not most) from the Old Testament.  Jesus too quotes regularly from the Old Testament during his ministry on earth. It is quite surprising that only in recent years do we hear more about scholarship that examines the New Testament use of the Old Testament. Better late than never. According to the editors, this field of study is "blossoming." Following the highly successful commentary as well as the handbook, author GK Beale has teamed up with prominent Old and New Testament scholars, theologians, and researchers to compile a dictionary of terms used in this field.  The editors anticipate greater interest in this area of study and research. Written to complement the commentary edition (CNTUOT), this specialized dictionary consists of entries that focus on five categories:

1. Surveys of Biblical Books (55 entries)
2. Biblical-Theological Topical Essays (54 essays)
3. Jewish Exegetical-Traditions Essays (25 entries)
4. Inner-Biblical Exegesis (26 essays)
5. Systematic Theology (5 essays)

Such a dictionary will help supplement this subdiscipline which examines the relationship of the two testaments from a New Testament perspective. A key principle used in the survey of biblical books is the canonical approach which examines each book from the full revelation of God's Word. With so many biblical scholars as contributors, it is unsurprising that the biblical-theological section takes up a third of the book. Like the biblical surveys, the interpretation is "more synthetic" because the interpretation of the Old Testament culminates in the New Testament. The Jewish exegetical tradition gives us an extra-biblical view to shed more light to provide greater clarity to the interpretive contexts. This section brings in scholarship from traditional sources like the Aramaic (Targum), Jewish rabbinic (Talmud, Mishnah, Midrashim), Latin (Septuagint), non-canonical works (Apocrypha, Pseudepigrapha, Philo). The Inner-Biblical exegesis discusses the various exegesis tools used to equip readers on the study. The systematic theology comprises five essays to bring out the systematic theologian in the New Testament writers. 

My Thoughts
I remember when the commentary was first published back in 2007, there was a lot of fanfare about "what" it is and "why" it is important. Some of my seminary professors also contributed articles to that book, which goes through every New Testament book. In 2011, a "New Testament Biblical Theology" was released to deal with the concepts continued in the NT from the OT. Then in 2012, a handbook was released to be a more readable version of the original commentary, that focuses on the "how to." Now, the latest book on the discipline is a dictionary. Let me offer three thoughts on this dictionary. 

First, apart from the alphabetical order of the entries, this dictionary is not like the conventional theological dictionary. The scope is limited due to the specialized NT usage of the OT. The entries are also longer so if readers expect a short paragraph, they will find each entry looking like an academic essay. For these reasons, I think it is more like a theological handbook than a dictionary. I like the way the editors arrange the dictionary index alphabetically as well as topically. Perhaps, the index can be repeated at the end of the book as well for conventional ease of reference. 

Second, the scholarship is impressive as the contributors bring in not only their expertise but also resources for further research. They show us not only the canonical use of the OT by the NT, they they weave in different perspectives from non-canonical sources to give us a bigger picture of the interpretation as well as the hermeneutical process. Just reading about the multi-layered manner of examining each topic is already an experience to behold. For example, the essay on marriage is not just about one layer of any one NT book interpreting the OT.  It combs the whole Bible to highlight important themes pertaining to marriage matters. I appreciate the "see also" segment that points readers to consider other closely related essays. Having said that, be prepared to work through the academic nature of the dictionary. This dictionary is not for the lay reader, but more for academics, seminarians, teaching pastors, or anyone interested in the field of biblical theology, hermeneutics, and interpretation. 

Third, this field of study is relatively young. I suppose this kind of resource is just the beginning of a slew of resources that will come in the near future. I believe there will be expanded editions as well as additional articles to be added within the next few years. This book should be used as a supplement to the larger volume CNTUOT. I would not suggest readers read this like a regular book. It should be a resource to help us expand our understanding of any Bible book, selected characters, theological theme, or other topics related to the hermeneutics of the Bible. The way to benefit is to see ourselves sitting in the passenger seat, learning and watching how the expert drivers navigate the fascinating and sometimes unknown terrains of this new field of biblical theology.

G. K. Beale (PhD, University of Cambridge) is professor of New Testament and biblical theology at Reformed Theological Seminary in Dallas, Texas. He has served as president and as a member of the executive committee of the Evangelical Theological Society. He is coeditor (with D. A. Carson) of the Commentary on the New Testament Use of the Old Testament and the author of numerous books, including A New Testament Biblical Theology: The Unfolding of the Old Testament in the New, Handbook on the New Testament Use of the Old Testament, and commentaries on Colossians and Philemon, Revelation, and 1 and 2 Thessalonians.

D. A. Carson (PhD, University of Cambridge) is emeritus professor of New Testament at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School in Deerfield, Illinois, and is the author or editor of more than fifty books, including The God Who Is There, Commentary on the New Testament Use of the Old Testament (coedited with G. K. Beale), and How Long, O Lord? He is a founding member of The Gospel Coalition and an active guest lecturer in academic and church settings around the world.

Benjamin L. Gladd (PhD, Wheaton College) is professor of New Testament at Reformed Theological Seminary in Jackson, Mississippi. He is the author or coauthor of several books, including From Adam and Israel to the Church, The Story Retold: A Biblical-Theological Introduction to the New Testament (with G. K. Beale) and Making All Things New (with Matthew S. Harmon). He also edits the Essential Studies in Biblical Theology series and serves on the editorial board of Themelios.

Andrew David Naselli (PhD, Bob Jones University; PhD, Trinity Evangelical Divinity School) is professor of systematic theology and New Testament at Bethlehem College and Seminary. He is also one of the pastors of the North Church in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and the author of several books.

Rating: 4.25 stars out of 5.

conrade

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This book has been provided courtesy of Baker Academic via NetGalley without requiring a positive review. All opinions offered above are mine unless otherwise stated or implied.