The Counterpoints series is always a good time. Five experts in their field present their case while the other four respond. Five Views of Christ in the Old Testament is no exception. Editors Brian J. Tabb and Andrew M. King put together a quality line-up of scholars to discuss how we should understand Christ in the Old Testament. In addition to presenting their hermeneutical perspective, they each take a crack on interpreting the same three Old Testament texts.

Here’s the lineup:

1. John Goldingay. Christ isn’t in the Old Testament. When we read Jesus in, we may miss what the original authors had to say.
2. Tremper Longman III. We must understand what the Old Testament authors had to say. Only after this first reading can we consider the Old Testament in light of the fuller revelation of the New Testament.
3. Havilah Dharamaj. Wholly post-modern, Dharamaj posits a “Common Reader” who sees christological resonance in many Old Testament texts. This is more of a reader-response approach to meaning.
4. Jason S. Derouchie. Jesus is encoded in the Old Testament and using his seven step hermeneutical process, you too can discover Jesus there.
5. Craig A. Carter. Jesus is there as all premodern people Christians who read the Old Testament are aware.

As important as their ideas are, it’s fascinating how the character of the scholars come out. Longman is the clear gentleman, generous to those he agrees and disagrees with. Goldingay is polite yet firm. Derouchie on the other hand—his aggressive confidence and certainty in his perspective is a red flag.

Any book in this series is worth a read and Five Views of Christ in the Old Testament is no exception. If you’re interested in exploring how we interpret the Old Testament in light of the New Testament, this book is for you.

Tabb, Brian J. And Andrew M. King, eds. Five Views of Christ in the Old Testament. Zondervan Academic, 2022.