Old Testament Wisdom Literature and Spiritual Formation: Perspectives from the Old Testament

“Like personified Wisdom herself, the wisdom sayings in the Bible cry out, ‘Listen to me! Turn to me! I can help make you wise!’ . . . The present book, filled with expert guidance, facilitates that process.”

—Brent A. Strawn, D. Moody Smith Distinguished Professorof Old Testament and Professor of Law, Duke University

This volume offers insights regarding how Old Testament wisdom literature, specifically its proverbs and aphoristic material, was and can be used for spiritual formation. It draws together the fresh and collaborative work of scholars and pastors from two international conferences: the Evangelical Foundation for Biblical Research Symposium and the Old Testament Wisdom Literature section of the Evangelical Theological Society.

Assuming the apostle Paul included Old Testament wisdom literature as part of “all Scripture” (2 Timothy 3:16; Romans 15:4), the church may rightly ask how ancient Israel might have responded to wisdom literature’s aphorisms. After exploring how they utilized this proverbial material, the book moves on to provide thoughtful and creative ways to preach and teach wisdom in Christian contexts today.

Features:

Presents different approaches to wisdom literature, enabling readers to understand Old Testament wisdom books in more depth for wise and spiritual formation.Helps readers understand and utilize the wisdom books of the Bible, especially Proverbs and Ecclesiastes, in a more profound way.Includes well-respected academics writing for the church they love.Helps readers imagine ways of teaching and forming wise disciples.For pastors interested in teaching their congregants about biblical wisdom literature and their transformation into wise Christians.For professors teaching Old Testament and interested in Christian formation, and for other educated biblical studies and practical theology enthusiasts.

Since its roots in the early 1970s, the Evangelical Foundation for Biblical Research (EFBR) has been creating opportunities for biblical scholars to engage in rigorous research and dialogue to produce high-quality academic resources in formats accessible to the educated layperson on topics of interest to the modern church.