Terence E. Fretheim

This book has become a standard text in seminary and university classrooms. The purpose of this second edition is to help readers come to a critically informed understanding of the Old Testament as the church's scripture. This book introduces the Old Testament both as a witness of ancient Israel and as a witness to the church and synagogue through the generations of those who have passed these texts on as scripture.

The authors of this volume share a commitment to the interpretation of the Old Testament as a central resource for the life of the church today. At the same time, they introduce the Old Testament witness in a manner that honors the importance of biblical scholarship in helping students engage the variety of theological voices within the Old Testament.

This second edition gives special attention to deepening and broadening theological interpretations by including, for example, issues related to gender, race, and class. It also includes more detailed maps and charts for student use.… (more)

The Suffering of God is good, hearty biblical theology that can be applied to preaching, academia, or faith formation. Fretheim lays out the pathos of God, the giving in and giving up of God's self for humanity's sake. From the beginning, when God breathes life into the first human being, "the words imply that God's life was in some sense being expended." Fretheim's alternative reading of the Bible in this way creates a space in which believers can rethink the character of God and their relationship to the divine, who may not just be all-powerful but also compassionate enough to give up that barrier of strength and unknowability for our sake.… (more)

NCLA Review -This new edition of a 1999 book is about twice the size of the original. As such, I believe it will be twice as informative and twice as valued by those who use it. The Big Questions this book addresses are vital to any responsible interpretation of the Bible. The first question "What is the Bible?" shows us that the Bible is more like a library than a single volume. The second concern is "How the Bible came to be"—who wrote these various books? When? Why? In what languages? And how were they translated and collected? Many people try to interpret the Bible's message without taking questions like these seriously. Doesn't work very well. Fretheim, Professor of Old Testament at Luther Seminary, also discussed major themes of the Bible, the authority of the Bible, the meaning of inspiration, the relationship of Old and New Testaments, contradictions in the Bible and much more. The final chapter, "Key Affirmations to Remember in Reading the Bible," presents 13 points that every Bible student should continually keep in mind. Finally, Fretheim provides a brief list of the best in Study Bibles, Bible Dictionaries, commentaries and study guides. Use this list to guide your library purchases, but above all add About the Bible to your collection. Rating: 4 —RO Augsburg 2009, 180p, paper, 9780806657677, $12.99 [220.6]… (more)