Background to Vol. 2 of Old Testament Origins
October 14, 2025
Craig Bartholomew’s ambitious four-volume project, Old Testament Origins and the Question of God, seeks to explore what happens to Old Testament studies if we take God and his action in the world seriously. The second volume of this series, Moses and the Victory of God, focuses on Moses and the Exodus, and KLC’s project is exploring multiple avenues by which the impact of this topic can be felt in the church.
Primary Discipline(s): Old Testament Studies, Theology, Philosophy
Base Community: Staff
Leader: Craig Bartholomew
Primary Author(s): Craig Bartholomew
Collaborators: Chip Hardy, Michael Rhodes, Robby Holt (readers)
Acknowledgements: SRF at Trinity International University
Partner Organisations: A publisher is attached.
Funding: Templeton grant from Trinity International University’s Creation project
Problem: Some 150+ years of historical criticism have brought many, many insights. At the same time we are left with a fragmented, disunited reading of the OT, a muting of its powerful message if you like. There is thus a great need for a new paradigm for listening to the OT that appropriates all the many insights of historical criticism but resituates them within a paradigm that takes the central character of the OT, YHWH, and his action in the world with utmost seriousness.
Process: This four volume series attempts to do for OT studies what N. T. Wright has done so very well for NT studies.
Aims and Outcomes: A four volume series as follows:
The first volume will parallel Wright’s NTPG with a focus on the methodology and a re-envisioning of OT interpretation. Worldview analysis will be employed in ways comparable to Wright set against the backdrop of the worldviews of the major nations of the ANE.
This volume will focus on the centrality of Moses and the Torah in the OT. Particular attention will be given to Moses and Sinai, their historicity and role in the theological structure of the OT, as well as to OT law of which Moses is portrayed as the mediator.
This will focus on the following major elements in the life of Israel: kingship, prophecy, cult and wisdom and their interrelationship.
This final volume will focus on the exile and return of Israel thereby opening up the eschatology of the OT. Particular attention will be paid to the OT-NT relationship.
Next Meeting: Consultation with church leaders, 23 October
Projected Completion: Submit manuscript by the end of 2025
Quick Notes: tba
Craig explains the background to the Old Testament Origins series and how this project came about.
Our projects focused on Moses and the Ten Commandments are meeting with an international group of pastors and Christian workers to explore resource development that meets real needs.
If you have something to contribute to the following questions, email your thoughts to tota@kirbylaingcentre.co.uk.
When the team has a need for help or an area in which collaboration could be beneficial, their requests will be listed here.
Your contributions are greatly appreciated and are integral to our vision of collaborative, interdisciplinary research. We endeavor to acknowledge all the efforts of our collaborators and to give due credit, but note that we can’t guarantee that any contribution will be used in the final product.
On 23 October (3pm UK), we gathering an international group of church leaders and other stakeholders who can help us to set the course for the parallel resources that we develop alongside Craig’s work on Exodus, Moses and the Ten Commandments.
If you feel that you have something to contribute to a discussion about how Exodus can disciple the church and would like to attend, please contact admin@kirbylaingcentre.co.uk.
When the team produces research components and additional resources that may be of public interest, these will be made available here.
