While honoring the historical context and literary diversity of the Old Testament, Telling the Old Testament Story is a thematic reading that construes the OT as a complex but coherent narrative. Unlike standard, introductory textbooks that only cover basic background and interpretive issues for each Old Testament book, this introduction combines a thematic approach with careful exegetical attention to representative biblical texts, ultimately telling the macro-level story, while drawing out the multiple nuances present within different texts and traditions. The book works from the Protestant canonical arrangement of the Old Testament, which understands the story of the Old Testament as the story of God and God’s relationship with all creation in love and redemption—a story that joins the New Testament to the Old. Within this broader story, the Old Testament presents the specific story of God and God’s relationship with Israel as the people called, created, and formed to be God’s covenant partner and instrument within creation. The Old Testament begins by introducing God’s mission in Genesis. The story opens with the portrait of God’s good, intended creation of right-relationships (Gen 1—2) and the subsequent distortion of that good creation as a result of humanity’s rebellion (Gen 3—11). Genesis 12 and following introduce God’s commitment to restore creation back to the right-relationships and divine intentions with which it began. Coming out of God’s new covenant engagement with creation in Gen 9, this divine purpose begins with the calling of a people (who turn out to be the manifold descendants of Abraham and Sarah) to be God’s instrument of blessing for all creation and thus to reverse the curse brought on by sin. The diverse traditions that comprise the remainder of the Pentateuch then combine to portray the creation and formation of Israel as a people prepared to be God’s instrument of restoration and blessing. As the subsequent Old Testament books portray Israel’s life in the land and journey into and out of exile, the reader encounters complex perspectives on Israel’s attempts to understand who God is, who they are as God’s people, and how, therefore, they ought to live out their identity as God’s people within God’s mission in the world. The final prophetic books that conclude the Protestant Old Testament ultimately give the story of God’s mission and people an open-ended quality, suggesting that God’s mission for God’s people continues and leading Christian readers to consider the New Testament’s story of the Church as an extension and expansion of the broader story of God introduced in the Old Testament. The main methodological perspective that informs the book includes work on the phenomenological function of narrative (especially story’s function to shape the identity and practice of the reader), as well as more recent so-called “missional” approaches to reading Christian scripture. Canonical criticism provides the primary means for relating the distinctive voices within the Old Testament texts that still honor the particularity and diversity of the discrete compositions. Accessibly written, this book invites readers to enter imaginatively into the biblical story and find the Old Testament's lively and enduring implications.

How well do you know His story? By the time a Christian reaches young adulthood, he is likely to be quite familiar with every major story in the Bible, but not from having studied them in any particular order. Ask an average Bible student to arrange certain characters and events chronologically, and the results are telling. Telling God’s Story looks closely at the Bible from its beginning in Genesis to its conclusion in Revelation. By approaching Scripture as one purposefully flowing narrative, emphasizing the inter-connectedness of the text, veteran college professors Preben Vang and Terry G. Carter reinforce the Bible’s greatest teachings and help readers in their own ability to share God’s story effectively with others. Ideal for classroom settings, this second edition of Telling God's Story now features all supporting charts, photographs, and illustrations in full color!

A Respected Scholar Introduces Students to the Discipline of Old Testament Studies Richard Hess, a trusted scholar of the Old Testament and the ancient Near East, offers a substantial introduction to the Old Testament that is accessibly written and informed by the latest biblical scholarship. Hess summarizes the contents of the Old Testament, introduces the academic study of the discipline, and helps readers understand the complex world of critical and interpretive issues, addressing major concerns in the critical interpretation of each Old Testament book and key texts. This volume provides a fulsome treatment for students preparing for ministry and assumes no prior knowledge of the Old Testament. Readers will learn how each book of the Old Testament was understood by its first readers, how it advances the larger message of the whole Bible, and what its message contributes to Christian belief and the Christian community. Twenty maps, ninety photos, sidebars, and recommendations for further study add to the book's usefulness for students. Resources for professors are available through Baker Academic's Textbook eSources.

This is the eBook of the printed book and may not include any media, website access codes, or print supplements that may come packaged with the bound book. Exploring the Literary Structure of the Old Testament The Old Testament Story is designed for readers with little or no knowledge of the Old Testament. It provides complete background detail as it follows the story told by the Old Testament/Hebrew Bible. In addition, it examines the separate biblical books and illustrates their literary structure. Teaching and Learning Experience Personalize Learning - MySearchLabdelivers proven results in helping students succeed, provides engaging experiences that personalize learning, and comes from a trusted partner with educational expertise and a deep commitment to helping students and instructors achieve their goals. Improve Critical Thinking - The Old Testament Story’s background details provide students with sufficient information so that they can examine the Old Testament within context. Engage Students - The Old Testament Story’s readable presentation draws students into the material. Support Instructors - Teaching your course just got easier! You can create a Customized Text or use our Instructor’s Manual, or PowerPoint Presentation Slides. Plus, The Old Testament Story provides two levels of structure that will allow your students to analyze all 39 books of the Protestant Christian Old Testament/Hebrew Bible. Note: MySearchLab does not come automatically packaged with this text. To purchase MySearchLab, please visit www.MySearchLab.com or you can purchase a valuepack of the text + MySearchLab (Vp ISBN-10: 0205185282, VP ISBN-13: 9780205185283)

For all who are wondering how the pieces fit into the jigsaw of God's revelation, Colin Smith has provided an answer, which is refreshingly simple, biblically accurate, and will prove phenomenally helpful to the serious Bible student and the new beginner alike. — Alistair Begg, senior pastor, Parkside Church In Unlocking the Bible Story, Colin Smith moves gradually through portions of the Bible to explain how it all holds together. He tells God's one grand story of salvation and reflects on major themes along the way. In volume 1 he moves through the Pentateuch and Historical Books of the Old Testament, which tell the story of God creating the world, choosing a people for Himself, and loving them despite their continued sin. Includes the study guide formerly sold separately. One of the most urgent needs in the church today is for a crisp and comprehensive knowledge of the Bible's storyline. To grasp how the sacred history moves from Genesis to Revelation not only brings fresh insight into how the Bible hangs together, and what each part contributes to the whole, but also is crucial for developing a Christian worldview. Colin Smith has met these needs admirably. I hope these volumes will circulate widely and be read and re-read. — D. A. Carson, research professor New Testament at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, cofounder of The Gospel Coalition

Have you ever thought about the story of the Old Testament? Have you wondered how to connect the dots of psalms and sacrifices, laws and kings, nations and wars? And what does it all mean for our lives today? David Talley believes that following the story of the Old Testament is the key to understanding it. To trace the clear, continuous narrative is to connect the dots and bring the bigger picture into focus. In this book Talley examines the eleven storyline books of the Old Testament and shows where the other 28 books fit into the story. Unpacking the theology of each storyline book, he reflects on the Old Testament's power for Christians today.

Bridging the gaps for those who've acquired their Bible knowledge in random order, professors Vang and Carter help readers comprehend the Bible as one cohesive story from beginning to end.

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