J. Gordon McConville holds a professorship in Old Testament Theology at the University of Gloucestershire. His scholarship delves into the profound theological dimensions and interpretation of Old Testament texts. He grapples with the challenges these ancient scriptures pose to contemporary theological thought. His approach emphasizes understanding biblical messages within their historical and cultural contexts.
Subjects covered, for every prophet, include: a discussion of the date, who the prophet spoke to, how the critics have interpreted it, how it relates to history and to other prophets, and its structure and outline. Each chapter includes exercises and essay topics.
In this commentary Gordon McConville offers a theological interpretation of the Old Testament book of Deuteronomy in the context of the biblical canon. He gives due attention to historical issues where these bear on what can be known about the settings in which the text emerged. His dominant method is one that approaches Deutoronomy as a finished work.
McConville re-evaluates the way in which Deuteronomic theology is understood in modern Old Testament research by arguing that Deuteronomy is an early and formative factor in the development of Old Testament religion.
The book of Joshua is often troubling ― what should we make of the fact that the violent occupation of land is not simply presented, but celebrated? How can we reconcile that with the key role the book plays in the biblical drama of salvation? What should we make of the God of Joshua? / In this volume Gordon McConville and Stephen Williams interpret Joshua in relation to Christian theology, addressing such questions and placing the book in its proper place in the canonical whole. McConville deals specifically with the commentary and exegesis of the text. Williams then moves in to focus on issues of interpretation. He addresses key theological themes, such as land, covenant, law, miracle, judgment (with the problem of genocide), and idolatry. / The authors posit that the theological topics engaged in Joshua are not limited to the horizons of the author and first readers of the book, but that Joshua is part of a much larger testimony which concerns readers yet today.