Biblical Theology: Past, Present, and Future (I)
Southwestern Journal of Theology
Volume 55, No. 2 – Spring 2013
Managing Editor: Terry L. Wilder
By Walter Kaiser. Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, 2011. 208 pages. Paperback, $19.99.
With his usual style of consistency to the text and careful exegesis, Walter Kaiser has produced another excellent volume on preaching and teaching the Old Testament. The focus of this volume is on preaching and teaching the last things. Driven by the conviction that the Old Testament is too often overlooked in our communication of God’s Word, Kaiser has addressed a critical issue in Biblical studies that will serve as an asset for preachers and teachers alike. Indeed, he reminds the reader that the Old Testament is replete with references to the future which implore diligent explication.
The book is divided into six parts beginning with a general discussion on how the Old Testament addresses the issue of last things. The next five parts deal with the specific eschatological issues of the nation of Israel, the new Davidic King, the Day of the Lord, the events of the last seven years, and the millennial rule of Christ.
Kaiser introduces the work with a curious statement. He contends that “almost one-half of the teaching of Scripture focuses on disclosures about ‘last things’ and prophecy” (ix). While Kaiser doesn’t expound on that statement in the Preface, he proceeds to discuss briefly this “inaugurated eschatology” in the Introduction (xvi). Later, the author more thoroughly addresses what he means by the use of that phrase. He defines the “last days” as a reference to the coming of the Messiah for a second time on earth, but also includes the events related to the first coming of Christ (56). Indeed, his use of the Kingdom of the Lord as both inaugurated and anticipated is key to the understanding of the book. Kaiser uses the concept of the “Now” and the “Not Yet” (xii, xvi, 56, 66, 79) at several points to submit that both aspects are simultaneously present and work together.
One strength of Kaiser’s work is that he doesn’t simply pick and choose selected verses out of context, but addresses chapters and extended pericopies to demonstrate the Old Testament’s grappling with things related to the “Last Things.” The chapters develop and outline the passages under consideration and then provide insights to the truths of the text and how to communicate them.
Some of the important points Kaiser reveals in the book are how resurrection is taught in the Old Testament (9), a list of twenty passages from the Old Testament that figure in the discussion of the doctrine of the resurrection (14), how the Old Testament reveals two comings of the Messiah (52, 135), how the nation of Israel fits in God’s plan (89), what will happen when the Messiah returns (138-41), and an explanation of the New Covenant (155).
The book is well-written with frequent cross-references throughout both the Old and New Testaments. Each chapter concludes with summary points in bullet form. These concluding points are informative, though more elaboration on them would have strengthened the application of the book. Additionally, a concluding chapter summarizing and applying the findings of the book would have helped the reader draw all the points of the work together.
This volume continues a consistent theme by the author related to the “promise-plan of God.” Its insights are timely, the writing is compelling, and the foundation is firmly established in Scripture. It will not only be an encouragement to believers of the hope that we possess, but an asset to preachers and teachers in demonstrating the authority of Scripture in its teachings related to the future.
