Elijah and Elisha are among the earliest and most influential prophets of Israel. They were both used to call Israel and Judah back to the Lord. Yet, their impact extended far beyond the boundaries of Israel in both space and time, impacting other nations and later times. Their stories form the framework of 1 and 2 Kings. Additionally, their accounts also inform and shape later Jewish biblical and religious texts.
160 pages. 6x9 Paperback.
How would you like to sit at the feet of one of the most influential professors who has become a mentor and friend to hundreds of students and theologians alike? Dr. Walter Kaiser uses his well-known sense of humor, effective use of puns, and trademark personable style of writing to effectively communicate significant ideas and biblical truths in a way every reader can understand. Yet, behind it all, his extensive understanding of Hebrew and its nuances as well as his in-depth knowledge of the Older Testament clearly shine through.
Welcome to the outstanding adventure of exploring the key figures in the history of Israel and of our faith. Dr. Kaiser leads us on an exciting journey that will certainly impact and significantly shape our lives and the lives of those with whom we interact.
ENDORSEMENTS:
Over the years, we’ve been blessed to sit under the teaching of Dr. Walter Kaiser many times at the Billy Graham Training Center at The Cove. His understanding of the Old Testament is deep and rich, and his passion for – and trust in – the inerrant Word of God is unrivaled. I’m excited that his expository teaching is being preserved in these books for current and future generations. I believe this series will be referenced for many years to come as a definitive examination of key Old Testament heroes of the faith.—Will Graham, VP & Associate Evangelist of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, and Executive Director of the Billy Graham Training Center at The Cove in Asheville, N.C.
Nearly thirty years ago I met Dr. Walter C. Kaiser, Jr. at a seminary where we both worked, I as a fledgling administrator and he as a distinguished professor. Over time, we began to serve more closely together, one of the blessings of my vocational life. I saw in Walt Kaiser not only a careful scholar but also a godly soul. His reputation as one of the leading Old Testament minds of the past several generations is matched by his deep love for Scripture and his abiding commitment to the Church. This series on biblical character studies will be a great resource for anyone interested in a deeper understanding of the Bible, and as you read it consider with gratitude the giant of a scholar and servant who wrote these words.—Barry H. Corey, President of Biola University and author of Make the Most of It: A Guide to Loving Your College Years and Love Kindness: Discover the Power of a Forgotten Christian Virtue
I consider Dr. Walter Kaiser to be one of the great theological thinkers today. I have been following his career and writings for some 50 years. He writes with amazing and comprehensive accuracy in dealing with the Biblical texts. He does it with a total commitment to the trustworthiness of the Bible. His writing is filled with keen insights. He also provides amazingly accurate interpretation and solid applications. He is a master preacher and his practical writings are filled with practical applications. I have been recommending all of his writings from his very first books. —Daniel C. Juster, Th. D. Tikkun Global, Restoration from Zion.
Walt Kaiser’s a superb Old Testament Bible teacher. As the leader of a mission to the Jewish people, Dr. Kaiser’s writings, preaching and general encouragement has been a great help to me personally and to Chosen People Ministries. I know this new series of character studies on great Old Testament saints will be a great blessing to all.—Dr. Mitch Glaser, President Chosen People Ministries
Familiar stories of biblical personalities come to life in new and compelling ways with Dr. Kaiser's keen and insightful treatment of their lives. This is the typically wonderful craftsmanship of Dr. Kaiser’s pen with on target theological insights and relevant applications to our own lives. Thanks, Walt for blessing us again!—Dr. Joseph M. Stowell III, author, and president of Cornerstone University in Grand Rapids, Mich.
I first came to know Walter Kaiser when he taught Old Testament at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School. How delightful were his classes, not to mention his sense of humor. Over the years, he has become a familiar and sought-after name to many — indeed, a “go-to” scholar of the Old Testament. For those new to his work, these varied character studies will be a wonderful way to plunge into the riches of the same Bible that Jesus and the apostles used!—Rich Robinson, Senior Researcher, Jews for Jesus, B.A, Syracuse University, 1974, M.Div., Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, 1978, Ph.D., Westminster Theological Seminary, 1993
Walter Kaiser has been an influential professor, mentor, and friend to many of us who have had the opportunity to sit under his teaching and preaching. Some of us also had the privilege to get to know him more personally, as have both my wife Patrice and I. He has extended that impact on his students with a long legacy of thoughtful and thought-provoking books. His character studies of biblical figures only add to that lasting legacy. In Abraham, his well-known sense of humor and his effective use of puns to teach surfaces yet again. And he uses his trademark personable style of writing to effectively communicate significant ideas and biblical truths in a way every reader can understand them. Yet, behind it all, his extensive understanding of Hebrew and its nuances as well as his awesome knowledge of the Older Testament clearly shine through. Once again, he shows that he is a truly gifted teacher and communicator. His choice of subject matter is quite strategic. The narrative is not only an important part of the biblical text, its impact has extended far beyond the boundaries of Israel in both space and time. It has impacted other nations and later times. Additionally, the account also informs and shapes later Jewish biblical and religious texts, including the Newer Testament. Welcome to the outstanding adventure of exploring another of the key figures in the history of Israel and of our faith. Once again Dr. Kaiser has led us on an exciting journey that will certainly impact and significantly shape our lives and the lives of those with whom we interact. —Rabbi John Fischer, Ph.D., Th.D., Academic Vice President St. Petersburg Seminary and Yeshiva
Walter C. Kaiser graduated from Wheaton College and Graduate School, obtaining his Ph.D. at Brandeis University. He then taught at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School where he served as vice-president and academic dean from 1980 to 1992. In 1993 he moved to Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, where he was a professor of Old Testament and spent many months of the year teaching internationally. He became president of Gordon-Conwell in 1997 and retired in 2006. He is currently President Emeritus and Distinguished Professor of Old Testament and Ethics and lives on a farm in Wisconsin with his wife, Nancy.