According to the Scriptures

It goes without saying that the doctrine of salvation is at the centre of our faith, but in general too much gets said and written without reference to the Old Testament. In fact, the passion narratives make many references and allusions to the OT which, when examined in this book, greatly enhance our understanding. Allen concentrates on the passion narratives in the gospels and other New Testament passages which speak of those events immediately prior to our Lord’s death. To on every OT reference would take a much larger volume – such as those listed in the comprehensive bibliography. There are endnotes rather than footnotes, and the text is accessible, although it is aimed at students in ministerial training, so a high level of familiarity with biblical studies is assumed. As an aid to sermon preparation or leading study groups, or just for interest, this book is highly recommended.

It goes without saying that the doctrine of salvation is at the centre of our faith, but in general too much gets said and written without reference to the Old Testament. In fact, the passion narratives make many references and allusions to the OT which, when examined in this book, greatly enhance our understanding. Allen concentrates on the passion narratives in the gospels and other New Testament passages which speak of those events immediately prior to our Lord’s death. To on every OT reference would take a much larger volume – such as those listed in the comprehensive bibliography. There are endnotes rather than footnotes, and the text is accessible, although it is aimed at students in ministerial training, so a high level of familiarity with biblical studies is assumed. As an aid to sermon preparation or leading study groups, or just for interest, this book is highly recommended.

David Allen teaches biblical studies modules and New Testament Greek at the Queen’s Foundation in Birmingham, and is Academic Dean within the Foundation. He has a particular interest in the letters at the end of the New Testament, notably the Epistle to the Hebrews, and is especially concerned that they get a hearing in the life and practice of the Church. Much of his research concerns the way in which the New Testament uses the Hebrew Scriptures, and the intertextual reading strategies this generates. He is a regular member of the British Old Testament in the New Seminar.