THE SHORT COURSE SERIES

Edited by Rev. John Adams, B.D.


The Song and the Soil

Or, The Missionary Idea in the Old Testament

By W. G. Jordan, B.A., D.D.

WARNING - Author mistakenly holds to the unbiblical "Deutero-Isaiah Theory"

General Preface

 

The title of the present series is a sufficient indication of its purpose. Few preachers, or congregations, will face the long courses of expository lectures which characterised the preaching of the past, but there is a growing conviction on the part of some that an occasional short course, of six or eight connected studies on one definite theme, is a necessity of their mental and ministerial life. It is at this point the projected series would strike in. It would suggest to those who are mapping out a scheme of work for the future a variety of subjects which might possibly be utilised in this way.

The appeal, however, will not be restricted to ministers or preachers. The various volumes will meet the needs of laymen and Sabbath-school teachers who are interested in a scholarly but also practical exposition of Bible history and doctrine. In the hands of office-bearers and mission-workers the "Short Course Series" may easily become one of the most convenient and valuable of Bible helps.

It need scarcely be added that while an effort has been made to secure, as far as possible, a general uniformity in the scope and character of the series, the final responsibility for the special interpretations and opinions introduced into the separate volumes, rests entirely with the individual contributors.

A detailed list of the authors and their subjects will be found at the close of each volume.

 
"By the missionary thought in the Old Testament is to be understood the faith that in the future the whole earth will come to the knowledge of Jehovah's glory and all peoples pray unto Him. The missionary thought lies altogether at the circumference not in the centre of the Old Testament. It has definite prophetic thoughts as its presupposition and reaches its highest point at a time when the prophetic movement lies already in the past; but the opposition in which it stands to the particularism of the Law and the Jewish abhorrence of all things heathenish never allowed it to reach a practical significance."

Professor Max Löhr.