Opening the Old Testament

This succinct and innovative book shows readers how to read and appreciate the Old Testament. Written for those with little experience or knowledge of the Old Testament and its character, it is an ideal first step before turning to more lengthy introductions and commentaries. The book explores the authority and contemporary relevance of the Old Testament.

The Old Testament is a rich canon of texts of many different genres and can be read in a number of ways: as history, as literature, or as theology. Opening the Old Testament explores these and other forms of interpretation, showing readers how to use them and form a lively interaction with the texts. The result is an engaging, student–friendly textbook that enables the reader to understand what the Old Testament is, how to read it and why it is still relevant to our world today.

List of Figures.

List of Maps.

Preface.

1. What is the Old Testament?.

2. How to Open the Old Testament.

3. How to Open the Old Testament for Ethical Guidance.

4. Opening the Old Testament Theologically.

5. Opening Difficult or Liberating Texts.

Further Reading.

Index

Katharine Dell is Senior Lecturer in Old Testament Studies in the Faculty of Divinity at the University of Cambridge and Fellow, Tutor and Director of Studies in Theology at St Catharine s College. She is the author of The Book of Proverbs in Social and Theological Context (2006), Seeking a Life that Matters: Lessons for today from the book of Proverbs (2002), Job, The Peoples Bible Commentary (2002), Get Wisdom, Get Insight: An Introduction to Israel′s Wisdom Literature (2000), Shaking a Fist at God: Understanding Suffering through the book of Job (1995) and The Book of Job as Sceptical Literature (1991). She is currently working on Ecclesiastes the third mainstream wisdom book.

"A traditional, pious Christian will find in this book encouragement to open the Old Testament.... A reader will learn that the Old Testament is more diverse (and perhaps more interesting) than he or she may have expected." ( Expository Times, March 2009)