A Theological Introduction to the Old Testament

The book known as the Old Testament is actually a collection of stories, songs, prophetic addresses, wise sayings, and other bits of literature composed over centuries and compiled for the use of worshiping communities. These texts appeared in ancient Israel, reflecting its traumas and less frequent triumphs. Far from being comfortable texts that sedate over-stimulated readers, they offer critique of the powerful for the sake of those for whom the only tool of overcoming oppression is language itself. Because of the distance in time and cultural experience, the Old Testament is often inaccessible to modern readers. This introduction bridges that distance and makes the connections across time and culture come alive.The Bible assembles a wide range of literary types because of the needs of the communities first using it as they preserved the legacy of their past, good and bad, for the sake of a viable future. Their legacy continues as relevant as ever. This introduction, then, seeks to help readers make sense of the variety and hear within it points of commonality as well. The Old Testament is a book readers look to for meaning. Christian readers, especially, have difficulty connecting with the theological meanings of the texts. Mark Hamilton offers an introduction that addresses theological issues directly and sensitively. Considering the massive sweep of literary types and ways of expressing ideas about God, A Theological Introduction to the Old Testament offers an alternative to introductions based solely on historical or literary themes.

The book known as the Old Testament is actually a collection of stories, songs, prophetic addresses, wise sayings, and other bits of literature composed over centuries and compiled for the use of worshiping communities. These texts appeared in ancient Israel, reflecting its traumas and less frequent triumphs. Far from being comfortable texts that sedate over-stimulated readers, they offer critique of the powerful for the sake of those for whom the only tool of overcoming oppression is language itself. Because of the distance in time and cultural experience, the Old Testament is often inaccessible to modern readers. This introduction bridges that distance and makes the connections across time and culture come alive. The Bible assembles a wide range of literary types because of the needs of the communities first using it as they preserved the legacy of their past, good and bad, for the sake of a viable future. Their legacy continues as relevant as ever. This introduction, then, seeks to help readers make sense of the variety and hear within it points of commonality as well. The Old Testament is a book readers look to for meaning. Christian readers, especially, have difficulty connecting with the theological meanings of the texts. Mark Hamilton offers an introduction that addresses theological issues directly and sensitively. Considering the massive sweep of literary types and ways of expressing ideas about God, A Theological Introduction to the Old Testament offers an alternative to introductions based solely on historical or literary themes.

AcknowledgementsAbbreviationsChapter 1: IntroductionChapter 2: The Pentateuch in BriefChapter 3: "In the Beginning": The Book of GenesisChapter 4: Rescue and Renewal: The Book of ExodusChapter 5: On Holiness and Life: The Book of LeviticusChapter 6: In the Desert: The book of NumbersChapter 7: On Memory and Action: The Book of DeuteronomyChapter 8: Israelite HistoriographyChapter 9: A New Land and a New People: The Book of JoshuaChapter 10: Seeking Order Amid Chaos: The Book of JudgesChapter 11: Ruth, the Model ConvertChapter 12: "God, King, and People": 1-2 SamuelChapter 13: The Triumph and Tragedy of Monarchy: 1-2 KingsChapter 14: 1-2 ChroniclesChapter 15: Ezra and Nehemiah: Finding Life After DeathChapter 16: The Queen of Comedies: The Book of EstherChapter 17: Poetic and Wisdom TextsChapter 18: God as Defendant and Plaintiff: The Book of JobChapter 19: The Praises and Laments of Israel: The Book of PsalmsChapter 20: Proverbs: Wisdom and the Order of the WorldChapter 21: Ecclesiastes: Doubt as an Order of FaithChapter 22: Love in the Air: The Song of SongsChapter 23: Introduction to the Prophetic BooksChapter 24: Isaiah, the Prophet of SalvationChapter 25: Not Just a Weeping Prophet: JeremiahChapter 26: Mourning a Lost World, the Book of LamentationsChapter 27: Ezekiel the Prophet of the Rebuilt TempleChapter 28: Keeping Faith in a Distant Land: The Book of DanielChapter 29: The Twelve Minor ProphetsChapter 30: The Secondary CanonChapter 31: What's It All About?Index