Introducing the Old Testament (Oxford Bible) [Paperback]

Richard Coggins (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 10, 2001 | ISBN-10: 0198700636 | ISBN-13: 978-0198700630 | Edition: 2

In the past, study of the Old Testament has been dominated by what is often called the 'historical-critical' method, which was careful analysis of individual books with great emphasis on historical context and concern to isolate what was original and most important. This volume not only retains the values of adopting this traditional approach, but also outlines the alternative understandings of the Old Testament which have gained currency in recent years. Exploring these less conventional ways of looking at the Old Testament, Coggins introduces sociological and anthropological, feminist and liberation perspectives, and literary criticism. In this new edition, Coggins looks again at key issues in the light of recent scholarly developments, addressing contemporary debate on historical questions, radical developments in the field of archaeology, and considering women's readings in a separate chapter.
This introductory volume offers students a concise and engaging discussion of the different perspectives available in Old Testament scholarship.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"The book lives up to its title--it introduces students to the study of the Old Testament. It does not overwhelm them with the many technicalities and areas of specialization that are part of OT study today, but neither does it overlook the major trends in OT theology that have developed over the past two decades....The book lends itself to a variety of audiences, including undergraduates and church groups."--Review for Religious

About the Author

Reverend Richard Coggins is now retired, and was formerly Senior Lecturer in Old Testament Studies at King's College London

Product Details

• Paperback: 176 pages
• Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA; 2 edition (May 10, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0198700636
• ISBN-13: 978-0198700630
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.1 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.9 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,064,947 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4.0 out of 5 stars This is a real 'introduction', April 28, 2010

By 

E.L.B. (Kansas City, MO) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Introducing the Old Testament (Oxford Bible) (Paperback)

Coggins's introduction urges the reader to open their mind to the several approaches to studying the Hebrew bible--outside of the historical-critical method alone--by defining what they are and the validity of these approaches. All methods, however, have their uses; at the same time all of them can be and in fact are very controversial. They include feminist approaches, literary-critical approaches, theological approaches, archaeological approaches, and others. But they're not exclusive and can be combined to contribute important insights into the meaning and relevance of Hebrew biblical literature. Coggins notes (Preface) that the critical, disciplined study of the Hebrew bible has become complicated and is becoming increasingly more so with the passage of time and innovations in methodology.

Archaeology is about more than finding artifacts that prove (or disprove) the biblical record; it's its own sophisticated discipline, a 'double-edged' sword that may corroborate the bible and may not.

A proper 'history of Israel' must incorporate or at least address sociological and anthropological perspectives. Feministic studies force us to consider gender-related issues and how they impact applying Hebrew bible societal standards to modern culture; and such studies open up new legitimate ways to interpret the bible as well.

Coggins communicates all this and more to the reader in a manner that's easy to grasp. I just don't know why this book costs so much, even as a paperback. This is not to say anything bad about the book itself, but the price should definitely be lowered.