Handbook on the Prophets

Résumé du livre

Robert Chisholm begins his Handbook on the Prophets by acknowledging that the prophetic literature of the Hebrew Bible presents great interpretive obstacles. Its poetry, though teeming with vivid imagery that engages the imagination and emotions, challenges the reader's understanding because of its economy of expression, rapid shifts in mood, and sometimes cryptic allusions. The reader of the prophetic literature quickly realizes that these books were written at particular points in time to specific groups of people with whom the modern reader seems to share little. Chisholm argues, however, that the prophetic writings are more than ancient documents. They demand attention today as the word of God, containing a message that "transcends time and space." The prophets provide modern readers with insight into God's character and challenge them to love and serve God with greater devotion. The handbook's goal is to acquaint readers with the prevailing themes and central messages of these biblical books. While Chisholm has attempted to concentrate on these larger issues of interpretation, he notes: "Out of necessity, I do at times address especially important interpretive issues in greater depth and attempt to synthesize and interact with the scholarly opinions expressed in the commentaries and technical literature." Much of this discussion appears in the many footnotes, and extensive bibliographies are provided at the end of each chapter for those who wish to do additional research.