Stuart, Douglas.  Old Testament Exegesis (3^rd Edition).  Louisville:  Westminster John Knox Press, 2001.  ISBN:  0-664-22315-X.  179 pages.

Short Note

Book Review

	If you are looking for a book on Old Testament exegesis that falls between something for the serious layperson, such as Fee & Stuart’s How to Read the Bible for All Its Worth  [Review-link], but doesn’t expect the level of Hebrew knowledge required to use Chisholm’s From Exegesis to Exposition [Review-link], then this excellent little book by Douglas Stuart is the place to go.
It is not too daunting to read.  It does not absolutely require a knowledge of Biblical Hebrew, though there are a number of sections of the book that will not make much sense without it.  It does cover all the major topics required for serious exegesis.

First, let me mention several areas that I particularly appreciate.  I believe that Stuart provides a balanced view, and a balanced set of resources in the area of historical-critical methodologies.  A student should be warned that there are many who go into flights of fancy using them, and also that there are practitioners who assume that no supernatural action or divine inspiration is possible.  At the same time, one needs to know how the methodologies function, both for the positive value that many provide and for the understanding of how certain scholarly conclusions are reached.  Stuart handles this topic well, with some brief information in the text, but with excellent reading recommendations under tools.

Another key benefit to this guide is the third chapter, dedicated to an abbreviated process of Biblical exegesis directed to sermon preparation.  I think many practiced exegetes will come to abbreviate the process in substantially different ways, but the problem the author is addressing here is how one can get started doing sound exegetical preparation.  Whatever your theological preconceptions, if you preach from the scriptures, you would do well to start from at least a substantial subset of the processes described here.  You may find yourself handling application differently.  In fact, I do so myself, as a strong believer in all four elements of the so-called Wesleyan quadrilateral (scripture, tradition, experience, reason).  But irrespective of what you may add to the process during application, this exegetical process will let you get the best possible understanding of what the original authors intended as they wrote.

So who will benefit from this book?  It is clearly designed especially for pastors, and I believe that group will benefit from it.  I have a vision of skilled Bible teachers becoming the norm in churches, not necessarily or primarily as pastors, and such teachers would benefit greatly from this book.  If you have studied How to Read the Bible for All Its Worth, and still have the feeling that you’re missing something, this might be the place for you to go next.  On the other hand if you’ve studied Chisholm’s From Exegesis to Exposition, you’ll have much of this material already.  What From Exegesis to Exposition lacks, however, is the abbreviated, practical methodology of exegesis for sermon preparation.  If you would like more in that area, or more tool recommendations, including some books to help you understand historical critical methodology, then Dr. Stuart’s book is the place to go.

I strongly recommend this book for those with just a little Hebrew, and a great interest in understanding the Old Testament better and presenting it to students or congregation more competently.