The Original Story: God, Israel, and the World - Softcover

Barton, Jill; Bowden, Julia

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0802829007 ISBN 13: 9780802829009

Publisher: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 2005

Synopsis

Ideal for beginning students and readers of all faiths or none, The Original Story is a comprehensive and lively guide to the Hebrew Bible. This richly informative volume provides a complete introduction to Old Testament history, archaeology, geography, and textual interpretation - all at an accessible level. The core of the book explores central biblical themes, including the character of God, the human condition, ethics, human suffering, and God's relationship with the people of Israel. The authors further consider various topics such as prophecy, law, and worship in the Old Testament. The very readable text is complemented throughout by sidebars, fact boxes, maps, and illustrations. All features considered, The Original Story is one of the best guidebooks to the Hebrew Bible now available.

About this title

Review:

John Goldingay
in Church Times (on British edition)
"The more I read this up-to-date, user-friendly, middle-of-the-road introduction to the Old Testament, the more I liked it. . . The authors provide a reliable guide to the range of views on literary and historical questions, and they encourage readers towards moderate answers."

Theology
(on British edition)
"The Original Story deserves to go on your reading lists. . . Its authors are the best kinds of experts, those who know their subject so thoroughly that they can summarize it in ordinary language without being simplistic."

Review of Biblical Literature
"Few general introductions to the Old Testament match this one! . . . A gift for both teacher and student."

About this edition

• Publisher: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company
• Publication date: 2005
• ISBN 10: 0802829007
• ISBN 13: 9780802829009
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 236