Unearthing the riches of the Old Testament is not limited to the classroom for
Dr. Johnston. For a number of years Dr. Johnston has sifted through archaeological digs and excavations in Israel. He has worked with the Tel Malhata and the Khirbert el-Maqatir projects, and has served as a leader on several travel/study programs to Israel, Egypt, Jordan, and Turkey. In addition to his work in the field, Dr. Johnston has published numerous articles and essays in scholarly journals and is a contributor to the NET Bible. The frequent Who’s Who honoree also has a strong commitment to evangelism and discipleship.
- OT101 - Introduction to Old Testament Language and Literature
- OT102 - Elements of Hebrew
- OT420 - Exegesis of Ecclesiastes
- OT445 - Exegesis of the Song of Songs
- BS1001 - Old Testament Backgrounds
- OT1006 - Exegesis in the Writings
- OT103 - Introduction to Hebrew Exegesis
- OT104 - Principles of Hebrew Exegesis
- OT620 - Introduction to Biblical Archaeology
- OT725 - A Biblical Theology of the Covenants
- OT730 - A Biblical Theology of the Law
- "The Enigmatic Genre and Structure of the Song of Songs." Bibliotheca Sacra 166, no. 3 (2009). 289‐305.
- "The Enigmatic Genre and Structure of the Song of Songs, Part 2." Bibliotheca Sacra 166, no. 2 (2009). 163‐180.
- "The Enigmatic Genre and Structure of the Song of Songs, Part 1." Bibliotheca Sacra 166, no. 1 (2009). 36‐52.
- "Genesis 1 and Ancient Egyptian Creation Myths." Bibliotheca Sacra 165, no. 2 (2008). 178‐194.
- "Nahum's Rhetorical Allusions to Neo-Assyrian Conquest Metaphors." Bibliotheca Sacra 159, no. 633 (2002). 21-45.
- "Nahum's Rhetorical Allusions to Neo-Assyrian Treaty Curses." Bibliotheca Sacra 158, no. 632 (2001). 415-436.
- "Nahum's Rhetorical Allusions to the Neo-Assyrian Lion Motif." Bibliotheca Sacra 158, no. 631 (2001). 287-307.
- "Review of 'Old Testament Theology.'" Bibliotheca Sacra 157, no. 627 (2000). 367-368.
- "Review of 'The Flood Myth.'" Bibliotheca Sacra 146 (1989). 231-232.
Contributions to Books
- “Old Testament Community and Spiritual Formation,” in Foundations of Spiritual Formation: A Community Approach to Becoming Like Christ. Pp. 71‐102. Edited by Paul Pettit. Grand Rapids: Kregel Publications, 2008.
- "A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Gallows! Irony, Humor, and Other Literary Features of the Book of Esther," in Giving the Sense: Understanding and Using Old Testament Historical Texts, pp. 380‐406. Edited by David Howard Jr. and Michael A. Grisanti. Grand Rapids: Kregel Books, 2003.
- "Exodus," in Bible Knowledge Commentary: Word Study Edition, 1:155‐257. Edited by Eugene H. Merrill. Grand Rapids: Cook Communications, 2003.
- "Proverbs," Bible Knowledge Commentary: Word Study Edition, Volume 4. Edited by Eugene H. Merrill. Grand Rapids: Cook Communications, 2007.
- "Ecclesiastes," Bible Knowledge Commentary: Word Study Edition, Volume 4. Edited by Eugene H. Merrill. Grand Rapids: Cook Communications, 2007.
- "Song of Songs," Bible Knowledge Commentary: Word Study Edition, Volume 4. Edited by Eugene H. Merrill. Grand Rapids: Cook Communications, 2007.
Short Articles
- "אָדוֹן (lord, master)," in The New International Dictionary of Old Testament Theology and Exegesis, 5 vols. 1:256‐261. Edited by Willem A. VanGemeren, et al. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1997.
- "אַלּוּף (tribal chief, prince)," in The New International Dictionary of Old Testament Theology and Exegesis, 5 vols. 1:406‐410. Edited by Willem A. VanGemeren, et al. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1997.
- "בָּדָא (empty speech)," in The New International Dictionary of Old Testament Theology and Exegesis, 5 vols. 1:598‐600. Edited by Willem A. VanGemeren, et al. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1997.
- "בָּטָה (vow rashly)," in The New International Dictionary of Old Testament Theology and Exegesis, 5 vols. 1:642‐644. Edited by Willem A. VanGemeren, et al. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1997.
- "גָּשַׁשׁ (touch, grope)," in The New International Dictionary of Old Testament Theology and Exegesis, 5 vols. 1:902‐903. Edited by Willem A. VanGemeren, et al. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1997.
- "הָבַל (vain, empty speech)," in The New International Dictionary of Old Testament Theology and Exegesis, 5 vols. 1:1003‐1005. Edited by Willem A. VanGemeren, et al. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1997.
- "הָמֻלָה (noisy crowd)," in The New International Dictionary of Old Testament Theology and Exegesis, 5 vols. 1:1044‐1046. Edited by Willem A. VanGemeren, et al. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1997
- "לָפַת (grasp, touch)," in The New International Dictionary of Old Testament Theology and Exegesis, 5 vols. 2:810‐811. Edited by Willem A. VanGemeren, et al. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1997.
- "מָשַׁשׁ (examine, search, grope)," in The New International Dictionary of Old Testament Theology and Exegesis, 5 vols. 2:1145‐1147. Edited by Willem A. VanGemeren, et al. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1997.
- "סָךְ (ritual procession)," in The New International Dictionary of Old Testament Theology and Exegesis, 5 vols. 3:247‐248. Edited by Willem A. VanGemeren, et al. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1997.
- "סָרִיס (commander, eunuch)," in The New International Dictionary of Old Testament Theology and Exegesis, 5 vols. 3:288‐295. Edited by Willem A. VanGemeren, et al. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1997.
- "סֶ֫רֶן (Philistine prince)," in The New International Dictionary of Old Testament Theology and Exegesis, 5 vols. 3:295‐298. Edited by Willem A. VanGemeren, et al. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1997.
- "פֶּחָה (provincial governor)," in The New International Dictionary of Old Testament Theology and Exegesis, 5 vols. 3:599‐608. Edited by Willem A. VanGemeren, et al. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1997.
- "פָּקִיד (commander, governor, appointee)," in The New International Dictionary of Old Testament Theology and Exegesis, 5 vols. 3:667‐670. Edited by Willem A. VanGemeren, et al. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1997.
- "רַב (commander, captain)," in The New International Dictionary of Old Testament Theology and Exegesis, 5 vols. 3:1028‐1034. Edited by Willem A. VanGemeren, et al. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1997.
- "רִגְמָה (festive throng)," in The New International Dictionary of Old Testament Theology and Exegesis, 5 vols. 3:1050‐1052. Edited by Willem A. VanGemeren, et al. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1997.
- "תָּפַס // תָּפַשׁ (feel, touch)," in The New International Dictionary of Old Testament Theology and Exegesis, 5 vols. Edited by Willem A. VanGemeren, et al. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1997.
- "The Eschatology of Isaiah," in Dictionary of Premillennialism, pp. 184‐190. Edited by Mal Couch. Grand Rapids: Kregel Publications, 1997.
- "The Eschatology of Jeremiah," in Dictionary of Premillennialism, pp. 204‐207. Edited by Mal Couch. Grand Rapids: Kregel Publications, 1997.
- "Old Testament Descriptions of the Kingdom," in Dictionary of Premillennialism, pp. 267‐272. Edited by Mal Couch. Grand Rapids: Kregel Publications, 1997.
- "Antiochian Hermeneutics," in Dictionary of Premillennialism, pp. 144‐147. Edited by Mal Couch. Grand Rapids: Kregel Publications, 1997.
- "Reformation Hermeneutics," in Dictionary of Premillennialism, pp. 163‐171. Edited by Mal Couch. Grand Rapids: Kregel Publications, 1997.
- "Post‐Reformation Hermeneutics," in Dictionary of Premillennialism, pp. 154‐162. Edited by Mal Couch. Grand Rapids: Kregel Publications, 1997.
- "Antiochian Hermeneutics," "Reformation Hermeneutics," "Post‐Reformation Hermeneutics," in Dictionary of Premillennialism, pp. 184‐190. Edited by Mal Couch. Grand Rapids: Kregel Publications, 1997.
- "Reformation Hermeneutics," "Post‐Reformation Hermeneutics," in Dictionary of Premillennialism, pp. 184‐190. Edited by Mal Couch. Grand Rapids: Kregel Publications, 1997.
Papers Presented at Academic Societies
- “The Smoking Brazier and Flaming Torch in Genesis 15:17 in the Light of Ancient Near Eastern Literature and Ritual,” Paper Presented to the Cognate Languages and Literature Study Group, National Meeting of the Society of Biblical Literature, November 2008
- “The ‘Unconditional’ and ‘Conditional’ Passages in the Abrahamic Covenant In the Light of Ancient Near Eastern Royal Land Grants & Grant Treaties,” A Paper Presented to the Pentateuch Study Group Section, National Meeting of the Society of Biblical Literature, November 2008
- The ‘Unconditional’ and ‘Conditional’ Features of the Davidic Covenant in the Light of Ancient Near Eastern Grants and Grant Treaties,” Paper Presented to the Historical Literature Study Group, National Meeting of the Evangelical Theological Society, November 2008
- “Just An Old Fashioned Love Song? Literary Archetypes & Trajectories in Song of Songs” Paper Presented to the Wisdom Literature Study Group; National Meeting of the Evangelical Theological Society, November 2008
- “What Did the Ancient Israelites Know About the Messiah and When Did They Know It?” Plenary Paper #1 Presented at the Midwest Regional Meeting of the Evangelical Theological Society, March 2007
- “What Did the Postexilic Community Know About the Messiah and When Did They Know It?” Plenary Paper #2 Presented at the Midwest Regional Meeting of the Evangelical Theological Society, March 2007
- “Abrahamic Covenant, Contingently Unconditional Covenants of Grant, and Covenant Nomism,” Paper Presented at the Southwest Regional Meeting of the Evangelical Theological Society, March 2006
- “A Test‐Case for the Integration of Secular Wisdom and Biblical Counsel: The Integration of Instruction of Amenemope into Proverbs 22:17‐23:11,” Paper Presented at Southwest Regional Meeting of the Evangelical Theological Society, March 2006
- “The Oven and Torch Passing Between the Pieces (Genesis 15:17): Unilateral Covenant Ritual or Prophetic Symbol Dream?” Paper Presented at the Southwest Regional Meeting of the Evangelical Theological Society, March 2005
- “The Passing between the Disjecta Membra in Genesis 15:17 in the Light of Biblical and Ancient Near Eastern Rituals,” Paper Presented at Southwest Regional Meeting of the Evangelical Theological Society, March 2006
- "God's Covenant with Abraham in Genesis 15: A Contingently Unconditional Royal Grant?" Paper Presented at the National Meeting of the Evangelical Theological Society, November 2004
- "The Torch and Brazier Passing between the Pieces (Gen 15:17): Does It Really Symbolize Unilateral and Unconditional Covenant?" Paper Presented at the National Meeting of the Evangelical Theological Society, November 2004
- "God's Covenant with Abraham (Gen 15) in the Light of ancient Near Eastern Oath‐Taking Rituals," Paper Presented at the Regional Meeting of the Evangelical Theological Society, March 2004
- "The Efficacy of Petitionary Prayer: An Old Testament Test‐Case," Paper Presented at the National Meeting of the Evangelical Theological Society, November 2003.
- "The Enigmatic Literary Structure of the Song of Songs," Paper Presented at the National Meeting of the Evangelical Theological Society, November 2001.
- "The Rhetorical Function of the Half‐Acrostic of Nahum 1," Paper Presented at the National Meeting of the Evangelical Theological Society, November 2000.
- "Unlocking the Enigma of the Song of Songs: Contributions of the Past Generation of Scholarship," Paper Presented at the Regional Meeting of the Evangelical Theological Society, March 2000.
Bible Translations
- Translator: "Ecclesiastes," "Song of Songs," "Lamentations," "Hosea," "Nahum," in The NET (New English Translation) Bible. Dallas: Biblical Studies Press, 2005.
- Editor: "Ezra," "Nehemiah," "Esther," "Proverbs," "Ruth," "Joel," "Obadiah," "Jonah," Jeremiah," "Micah," "Joel," "1‐2 Chronicles," in The NET (New English Translation) Bible. Dallas: Biblical Studies Press, 2005.
Academic Interests
- Biblical archaeology
- Bible translation
- Old Testment backgrounds