These overviews are a combination of Old Testament Survey and Old Testament Introduction, with a healthy dose of content and analysis thrown in for good measure. In each, one thing you’ll find is the theme of the book, given as a simple, one sentence or one phrase statement. Different themes can be emphasized by different men seeking to analyze or preach the book. But our pastor has sought to give the major theme that is recognized by a number of dependable Biblical scholars, while using his own words or even borrowed phraseology.
Another thing you’ll find is the outline of each book in keeping with its theme and structure. Some outlines are concise and simple; some are more expansive to allow for the size of the book, the complexity of its material and message, or the extent of the pastor’s study in the book.
A third thing you’ll find is a summary of each book’s contents, with some analysis and both gospel explanation and moral application here and there. The pastor is, after all, a preacher as well as a student of holy Scripture. This added material should help the reader better understand the book and the words and ideas you read, to build you up in your Christian faith and life.
In producing these overviews and refining them throughout the years, Pastor Watson has used many sources as well as the results of his own study of Scripture. Among the sources he has used are William Hendriksen’s Survey of the Bible, E. J. Young’s An Introduction to the Old Testament, Gleason Archer’s A Survey of Old Testament Introduction, and Victor P. Hamilton’s Handbook of the Historical Books. There are many others, too numerous to list here, and not used as frequently as those just mentioned. (There are at least 25 books on OT Survey, Introduction, and Theology on his shelf.)
These overviews are hereby under copyright, 2019. Anyone may use them freely and reproduce them as much as needed. Please quote them accurately, and use them for the purpose for which they were intended and produced, to teach the Bible, as the word of God, for the salvation of the lost and the edification of God’s people.