Dating, Authorship, and the Ancient Context of Daniel || Commentary by John Walton & Aubrey Buster

In this interview, John Walton and Aubrey E. Buster discuss the book of Daniel with a focus on genre, ancient literary conventions, authorship, and questions of historical reporting and divine inspiration. Drawing on Second Temple literature and comparative ancient Near Eastern evidence, the conversation explores the differences between Daniel 1–6 and 7–12, the use of vaticinium ex eventu, and why modern assumptions about authorship and “accuracy” can be anachronistic. The interview also examines how Daniel’s court tales and visions would have functioned for ancient audiences and what theological meaning they continue to hold for the church today.

Link to Daniel commentary (New International Commentary on the Old Testament (NICOT)): https://www.amazon.com/Daniel-Chapters-International-Commentary-Testament/dp/0802875998
Publisher: Eerdmans

Dr. John H. Walton is professor of Old Testament emeritus at Wheaton College. He is the author or coauthor of numerous books, including The Lost World of the Prophets: Old Testament Prophecy and Apocalyptic Literature in Ancient Context and Wisdom for Faithful Reading: Principles and Practices for Old Testament Interpretation.

Dr. Aubrey E. Buster has been a member of the Wheaton College faculty since 2018 and holds advanced degrees in biblical studies, including a Ph.D. from Emory University, where she was a George W. Woodruff Fellow. Her scholarship centers on the Psalms, Chronicles, Ezra–Nehemiah, Daniel, and the Dead Sea Scrolls, and includes major publications with Cambridge University Press and Eerdmans, as well as forthcoming NICOT and Bible in God’s World volumes. She also plays a significant role in the field through editorial board service, leadership in the Society of Biblical Literature, and recognition for scholarly achievement.

John Walton on Genesis: https://www.youtube.com/live/JSqVZ_blaVY?si=CALRxjwAx_w2dE8o

John Walton on Prophecy: https://youtu.be/Z4AJAZV13Ns?si=mhAjRX3uauJ6A-Qm

John Walton on hell: https://youtu.be/G1YAo28WYNc?si=VsNurlh0m4YeyeqR

John Walton on Isaiah 7:14: https://youtu.be/W6RYWMUjJU4?si=4g14cuQSH_0EXKoz

🎙️ New to streaming or looking to level up? Check out StreamYard and get $10 discount! 😍 https://streamyard.com/pal/d/5275567728623616