In one sense, it seems like only yesterday that Ray Dillard and I were laboring together to finish the first edition of this Introduction to the Old Testament.
In another sense, many years have passed and a new edition is certainly necessary. The preface to the first edition describes the great joy and sadness that I felt when the Introduction made its first appearance.
The sadness was the result of the relatively recent death of my mentor, co-worker, and friend, Ray Dillard, who never saw the book in final form.
Working on the revision over the past couple of years has reminded me afresh of Ray’s able mind and wonderful communication skills.
He is still deeply missed as a close friend. I also missed his help in revising the book! Since writing the first edition of the book, I have made a move from West minster Theological Seminary to Westmont College in Santa Barbara.
Even so, I continue to get ample opportunity to teach classes at various seminaries in North America and occasionally abroad.
I enjoy teaching at a college for a change of pace, but I am very glad to continue teaching on a graduate level, particularly since this textbook is directed primarily toward a seminary audience.
When Ray and I wrote the first edition, his three sons and my three sons were still at home. Now all six are grown and out of the house, pursuing their own dreams.
I am very proud of my three sons Tremper, Tim, and Andrew as well as my daughter-in-law, Jill, Tremper’s wife, and my first granddaughter, Gabrielle.
And I know that Ray would be very proud of his children. This sec ond edition, like the first, remains dedicated to my wife, Alice, and Ray’s widow, Ann.
