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UNLOCKING THE OLD TESTAMENT: Christ is the Culmination of the Law
By Yohanna Katanacho
Langham. 191 pages, £16.99
ISBN 978 1 786 412 157

If, like me, you love Biblical theology, this book is for you! And here is a Bible overview with a difference. I found it refreshing to encounter a new perspective on familiar themes – for example, Katanacho’s hermeneutical “toolkit” in Chapter 3. But what struck me particularly was the pastoral and missional application woven through the book (which began as a sermon series).

Writing as he does, as a Palestinian Arab Israeli Christian from Nazareth, Katanacho’s context is one of personal and communal suffering, and one in which many Christians wrestle with the meaning of the Old Testament – his first chapter tackles the question head on: “The Old Testament: A book for us or against us?” The missional implications of Old Testament scriptures are highlighted, which I found inspiring, for example in relation to the exaltation of the promised Davidic king or the missional aspect of priesthood (in the chapter on Moses). Katanacho also writes in the context of a multi-faith community and so takes time to outline relevant Jewish and Islamic understandings of Old Testament scriptures – potentially very helpful content for those of us with Jewish or Muslim friends.