Understanding the Old Testament (Abridged 4th Edition) [ABRIDGED] (Paperback)

~ (Author), Katheryn Pfisterer Darr (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Review

"I have been using Understanding the Old Testament as a required text with college sophomores, and as a recommended aid for M. A. students, for many years now.  The high level of scholarship and writing, and the clarity with which complex material is organized for the students, are its two main attractions for me.  Students appreciate the help of a clear text that guides them through a large volume of complex material.  I appreciate the way the textbook gives the students a kind of road-map, so that I can spend class time on other things."--Mary Callaway, Fordham University

 

"Since I have been using this book, student complaints are down.  It has also given me the freedom to concentrate on the issues of primary interest to me because it covers the material so well...The style, level of detail, examples and so on interest my students, and even those students with little background can follow it"--Harvey Hill, Berry College

--This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

Product Description

Presents a study of the Old Testament by interweaving historical, archeological, literary, and religious perspectives. The book traces the story of the people of Israel from the Exodus in the time of Moses through the dawn of the Common Era. It considers the importance of literary criticism and other methods for understanding the literature of ancient Israel; treats the latest archaeological discoveries that illuminate the Old Testament period.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 635 pages
• Publisher: Prentice Hall; 4 edition (September 16, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0139483993
• ISBN-13: 978-0139483998
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 7 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #190,422 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

49 of 58 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fleshes out the Bible, May 28, 2001

By	Greenmoviecat (California) - See all my reviews

No question the Old Testament is a great read, but face it, the original audience for this work is long dead and buried. Anderson's standard text on the world of the Old Testament is excellent in bringing the ancient world and the context for the collection that is the Old Testament to light. Reading the Bible without Anderson you get a story about some guy named Abram who took a walk one day and had some trouble with his new neighors. Reading it with Anderson, you get a deeper understanding of where Abraham came from, where he was headed, and how the belief of early Judahism developed through and in conflict with those of the neighboring Canaanites. The agrarian focused religion of the Canaanites get's it's own hearing as a people's attempt to make sense of the life around them. "Understanding the Old Testament" then provides this level of insight and background for all the other books of the Old Testament. How and why we now have the expression of the Jewish people's understanding of God gains more texuture and depth.

40 of 47 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars In depth survey following historico-critical methods, May 23, 1998

By A Customer

Anderson uses easy to read sentences and aims his OT introduction at the lay person, but will be useful more to students and pastors because of the content. I was somewhat disappointed that he has nothing on Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement). R.K. Harrison's Intro to the OT is much more comprehensive, including discussion using both historico-critical methodology and conservative approaches, whereas Anderson assumes that the historico-critical method is the only way to go. Nevertheless, the information is readily accessible and easy to read, and illustrated well.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Understanding (the editions of) the Old Testament!, September 12, 2008

By	William B. Jones - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Understanding the Old Testament (5th Edition) (Paperback)

Throughout his long life of service to church and academy, Bernhard Anderson updated his textbook, "Understanding the Old Testament," for both a changing readership and a changing world of Biblical interpretation. One hopes that, with his passing on in late 2007, his work will continue through the efforts of his co-authors. A word on the somewhat confusingly titled recent editions of this work follows.

The newest, 5th edition, was published in 2006, with co-authors Steven Bishop and Judith Newman (ISBN 01392380X). The original 4th edition, authored by Bernhard Anderson alone, was the blue hardcover edition of 1986 (ISBN 0139359257). This was followed by an "Abridged 4th edition" published in paperback in 1997, assisted by Katheryn Pfisterer Darr (ISBN 0139483993). Searching by using the ISBN numbers for the respective versions noted may help in getting the edition you want.

Anderson's brief, introductory study guide, "The Unfolding Drama of the Bible," has also been updated, as has his introduction to the Psalms, "Out of the Depths." His understanding of the covenantal theology of the Hebrew Scriptures as it may be extended to Christian theology is covered in-depth his "Contours of Old Testament Theology."