Introducing the Old Testament Story

Introducing the Old Testament Story: Reading Scripture as Spiritual Formation familiarizes students with the Ancient Near Eastern writings that compose the Old Testament. Through the application of literary, historical, and cultural analysis, this textbook helps the modern reader not only understand the story of the ancient Hebrews and their relationship to God, but also to experience it as the ancient Hebrews did, encouraging a deeply personal and divine connection with the material.

The text begins by providing background information regarding the Old Testament. The first two chapters provide context as to what the Old Testament is, where and when its story occurred, a general idea of what the story is about, how the story progressed over time, how to approach scholarly study of the writings, and the authenticity of the works. Each succeeding chapter addresses specific writings within the Old Testament, bringing to light the literary devices at play, the cultural context and significance of each piece, and how ancient Hebrews would have consumed and reacted to each selection.

Written to inspire engagement with Old Testament writings on both an academic and spiritual level, Introducing the Old Testament Story is ideal for introductory or survey courses on the Old Testament, as well as courses on religion, especially those focusing on the place of the Bible in spiritual formation.

David Brisben, Ph.D., is a professor of Christian ministries at John Brown University. He earned his master's in divinity degree from Erskine Seminary and his doctorate degree from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School. His passion for storytelling, and more specifically the stories found in the Old and New Testaments, drives his vocational calling to teach students what it means to enter and live in God's story.

"Brisben's book reminds the church and those who serve her that we belong to a larger story of mercy and redemption. We would do well to follow him as he guides us into the rhythms of grace that claim our lives. A delightful read, accessible and edifying no matter where one might be on the journey of faith."
Craig Meek
Assistant Minister of Pastoral Care
St. Giles Cathedral, Edinburgh, Scotland

"Brisben does in this book what few other authors on the Old Testament do - he combines solid, critical scholarship on the Old Testament with a faithful application of the text to the life of the modern reader. Leading his readers into how they can "enter into the story of the Old Testament," Brisben provides insights that will help students to see not only the content of the Old Testament, but why that content matters today, to them. He begins with a thoughtful presentation of Old Testament Background, and a discussion of the Authenticity of the text, as Christians readers have generally understood those issues. Then, in successive chapters, he surveys the literary structures and basic content of the books of the Old Testament. Each chapter concludes with thoughtful study questions and application to the life of the modern reader. Brisben's unique contribution in all of this is his clear and convincing reading of the text of the Old Testament that calls the modern reader to enter into this ancient story. Both professors and students will find Brisben's contribution here a refreshing change from the typical survey of the Old Testament."
David H. Vila, Ph.D.
Professor of Religion & Philosophy
Director, Abila Archaeological Project Northern Jordan
John Brown University

"Required courses in the Old Testament are common at Christian colleges and universities. Despite such courses, the Bible remains a foreign or intimidating text to many college students. David Brisben's book introduces students to the Old Testament the way it should be engaged--as the story of God's interaction with his creation. And because it comes out of decades of teaching college students, it does so in a simple, approachable way that they can understand. Introducing the Old Testament Story is a valuable addition to the field of biblical pedagogy."
Dr. Rick Ostrander
Vice President for Research and Scholarship
Council for Christian Colleges & Universities

"Dr. David Brisben's passion and joy has been to teach the Old Testament story to university students. His book, Introducing the Old Testament Story, reveals that passion to connect modern readers to God's story, that is, "God's covenant commitment to redeem and restore a lost and broken world through his people, Israel." Dr. Brisben presents the cultural and historical contexts and chiastic structures to elucidate the Old Testament story. His book invites the reader to read the Old Testament as spiritual formation in order to encounter God through Study Questions and Personal Application."
Ed Klotz
Professor of Intercultural Studies
John Brown University