Fortress Press

The Old Testament Story: An Introduction with CD-ROM

The Old Testament Story: An Introduction with CD-ROMThe Old Testament Story: An Introduction with CD-ROM

The Old Testament Story: An Introduction with CD-ROM

Don C. Benjamin (Author)

$40.00

  • This item is no longer available

The Old Testament Story: An Introduction with CD-ROM is a solid and exciting guide for lower division courses in religious or public universities, and for adult learners anywhere. It is not an exhaustive commentary, but samples the unforgettable and timeless traditions of the Bible. It translates biblical scholarship for anyone who wants to know what the Bible meant then, and what it means now. What kings were ruling? What wars were raging? What did prophets and midwives do in ancient Israel? Why did Hebrews tell creation stories like Adam and Eve and parables like Jonah? What dramatic roles do heroes like Samson, widows like Ruth, prophets like Elijah and teachers like the Wise Woman in Proverbs play in tradition? Where is the voice of the women in the male world of the Bible?

The Old Testament Story: An Introduction with CD-ROM engages the Bible, not as a textbook in the theology of Judaism, Christianity, or Islam — or even in the American way of life, — but as an exquisite expression of the questions with which, eventually, every human being must struggle.

Key Features:

  • Accessible guide for the general reader
  • CD and website with extensive additional teaching materials
  • Photographs, line drawings, charts, and maps

 

  • Publisher Fortress Press
  • Format Bundle
  • ISBN 9780800636210
  • Dimensions 7 x 9.25
  • Pages 496
  • Publication Date November 24, 2003

Endorsements

"Here is a textbook with a fascinating and fresh approach that focuses on one of the most important elements of reading and studying the Bible—an appreciation of the central stories themselves! . . . Students and teachers will not be disappointed. . . . Benjamin's analysis invites readers to a dialogue with the Bible, and his choice of sample texts creates a good survey of all the major forms of biblical literature, from early traditions, poetry, and Prophets, to wisdom and apocalyptic."
— Daniel L. Smith-Christopher, Bluffton College

"In this wonderfully crafted book, Don Benjamin addresses important questions, illuminates the role that faith and culture played in the shaping of the biblical text and tradition, and presents familiar material in a fresh and engaging way. Creatively drawing out the richness of many literary strands embedded in the Old Testament as story, Benjamin teases out the artistry of an ancient document while imaginatively capturing, with accuracy, its historical and social dimensions. The Old Testament Story: An Introduction with CD-ROM is a gem among many texts of its kind."
— Carol J. Dempsey, University of Portland

"Drawing on his extensive knowledge of the oral traditions of the Ancient Near East, master storyteller Don Benjamin provides an entrancing and fresh perspective on the world of the Bible. Benjamin's forte lies in his ability to weave together examples from ancient cultures, world literature, modern politics, and even the commonplace in daily life into a tapestry that illuminates the biblical texts for modern readers. A bold new study from a scholar whose credentials in social-scientific criticism are impeccable, this book is a very valuable addition to the library of any student of the Bible."
— Tricia Hoyt, Kino Institute, Phoenix, Arizona

" Congratulations to Don Benjamin on this comprehensive new introduction to the Hebrew Scriptures, grounded in the author's many years of research into the Bible's ancient social world and Near Eastern background! He courageously fills his textbook with provocative readings of the texts, which are sure to enthrall readers and send them rushing back to the Bible full of brand new questions. The Old Testament Story is a sure cure for complacency about traditional understandings of what the Hebrew Bible says."
— Stephen L. Cook, Virginia Theological Seminary

"Teachers struggling to teach the strange world of the Bible to postmodern students will welcome this textbook for three reasons. First, it's easy to read. Unlike other textbooks, undergraduates will find it difficult to get lost or even sidetracked here. Second, it's wonderfully written — creative, but not idiosyncratic; eloquent, but not fanciful; comprehensive, but never tedious. Third, this book is a cut above other Old Testament introductions because Benjamin genuinely understands and respects the faith traditions of all his students: Muslims, Christians, Jews, and those who profess none of the above. To a world in need of sane interreligious dialogue, The Old Testament Story is an answer to prayer."
— Michael S. Moore, Fuller Theological Seminary Southwest

" Benjamin's willingness to employ several critical techniques in one unified approach brings new insights with every chapter. His insights into the Old Testament breathe new life into the ancient text, and free it up to breathe new life into those of us who study and love it."
— Clifton A. Mann, Rector, St. Andrew's Episcopal Church (Amarillo, Texas)

Reviews

Journal of Hebrew Scriptures - Volume 5 (2004-2005).

Reviewed by D. Dixon Sutherland (Stetson University)

Don Benjamin has provided a fresh introduction to the Old Testament. Separating himself from the teaching tradition of Bernhard Anderson, Benjamin joins what he calls, "a new generation of introductions to the Bible" that focus less on history. Instead, he works from insights drawn from the various criticisms by which we can interpret the biblical traditions themselves. As a result, Benjamin claims that his introduction "teaches students how to listen to the words that the Bible speaks, and how to understand the people of ancient Israel who crafted these remarkable words" (19). The text is supplemented by a CD-ROM that provides the text, biblical citations, and helpful web sites. It also provides the student with a guide of questions and pertinent issues tied to each chapter that functions to steer the student toward some important material.

All in all, Benjamin makes good on his promise. The Old Testament Story orients students to hear the text as story, not history. This is very appealing, especially since most religious studies teachers face classrooms full of students fundamentally ignorant about the nature and purpose of the biblical traditions. They have years of misinformation about the Bible that often rests on some type of literal revelation doctrine or they do not know the stories at all. Benjamin's approach confronts the student primarily with what the ancient stories say. He offers his own translations of pertinent texts, and shows the structure and form of the text so that the student can begin to understand the logic and force of Hebrew literature.

Presenting the Hebrew traditions in the diversity of their literary shapes sometimes leads Benjamin to confront popular, theologically orthodox views. For example, he deftly presents the creation narratives in their Hebraic context, while at the same time debunking later usages of these stories as biblical proof texts for doctrines of original sin, women as seductive and subordinate to men, work and childbearing as punishment for sin, and connecting the snake in the Garden with the Devil. Eve is therefore not the gullible temptress bringing sin into the world, but intelligent, moral and heroic in action. A few times this effort to keep consistency within his reading of the narrative leads Benjamin to force the issue. He struggles to explain the explicit statement in Gen 3:16 that the man "will rule over you" by positing that originally, this consequence may have applied to the snake and not to Eve (38). While this is a fascinating idea, no textual evidence exists for it, so far as I am aware. Yet, in proposing it, Benjamin opts out of dealing with the direct statement as it appears in the text. He does it again with his treatment of the story of Abraham's offering of Isaac in Genesis 22, this time more by omission than by commission. The portrayal of this story in its Hebraic context is excellent. Benjamin shows its role in settling the vital issue of how God's covenant with Abraham and Sarah will be inherited. He corrects common western theological readings of the text as an interior crisis of faith for Abraham. Then, Benjamin announces that this story is not about human sacrifice, since that ritual was practiced only when the clan leader set off to war or founded a city (68-69). Of course, it is clear to any student who reads the biblical text that Abraham is commanded to make a sacrifice and the plot of the story moves toward that action. It is this very issue that has made Genesis 22 one of the most interpreted biblical texts in the history of theology and philosophy. Like his treatment of Eve, Benjamin avoids the problems that a "plain reading" of the text present by opting out of the problems altogether. Why does the element of the sacrifice occur at all in such a narrative? Benjamin perhaps should have said more in this regard. But these are not major flaws. Benjamin still offers one of the most sensitive presentations of the Hebraic world view that I have seen.

It is clear that archaeology forms an important basis for Benjamin's work. In fact, at times reading The Old Testament Story could provide a challenge for someone not familiar with other ancient near eastern literature. I got the feeling that the student was supposed to also have Benjamin's other book (with Victor Matthews), Old Testament Parallels: Laws and Stories from the Ancient Near East at hand. Reading his new introduction without such a supplement could be difficult for the student. While the CD-ROM helps, it is uneven in its offerings, and some of the sites were not accessible or difficult to find (e.g., Tanach: Resources for Academic Study www.milligan.edu/iTanakh did not go to the site; Gilgamesh (Search: Hero Choking a Small Lion) www.louvre.fr/anglais/collec/ao/ao_f.htm did not work, but could be found by browsing). This is not Benjamin's fault, but the nature of the internet.

These comments do not diminish my enthusiasm for this book. I found it invigorating to read, and written in a way that will attract undergraduate students. This introduction can help students to listen to the Hebrew stories in a way that loosens preconceived notions about the irrelevancy of the Bible and shakes rigid ideology into facing the biblical text itself.

Sample

1

Chapter 4;   Adobe Acrobat Document, 135k



Samples require Adobe Acrobat Reader
Having trouble downloading and viewing PDF samples?

System Requirements

System Requirements for CD-ROM:
Computer/Processor: Pentium 133MHz (Pentium 300MHz processor recommended). CD-ROM drive.
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 98 or later (Will run on Windows 98/98SE/Me/NT 4.0 (SP3)/2000/XP).
Memory: Windows 98/Me/NT: 64 MB. Windows 2000/XP: 64 MB (128 MB recommended)
Hard Drive Space: 60 MB minimum.
Monitor Resolution: 800 x 600 or larger.
Note to Macintosh users: Will run on a Macintosh if Connectix Software's Virtual PC for MacOS is installed (G3/G4 processor required).

FEATURES:

Libronix Digital Library System
LIBRONIX DIGITAL LIBRARY SYSTEM FEATURES
  • Powerful search engine
  • Topic, word, and verse indices
  • Library browser
  • Note-taking
  • Custom toolbars and menus
  • Navigation aids
  • Context-sensitive menus
  • Bookmarks
  • Interbook linking
  • Works with your word processor
  • On-line help
  • Electronic user's guide
  • Internet connections
  • Extendability

Libronix Digital Library System CD-ROM features

Table of Contents

    Maps
    Illustrations and Figures
    Abbreviations

  1. Learning the Bible
    How Old is the Bible?
    Is the Bible History or Story?
    Who Were the Hebrews?
    Who Wrote the Bible?
    In What Language Was the Bible Written?
    Why Are There So Many Different Bibles?
    Who Divided the Bible into Books, Chapters, and Verses?
    What Is the Difference between Bible Study and Biblical Studies?

  2. Book of Genesis (GEN 1:1—Exod 1:6)
    Creation Stories (Gen 1:1—11:26)
    Ancestor Stories (Gen 11:27—37:2)

  3. Books of Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers (Exod 1:7—Num 27:11)
    Creation Stories (Exod 1:7—Num 27:11)
    Death of the Firstborn of Egypt (Exod 1:7—13:16)
    Creation of the Firstborn of Israel (Exod 13:17—Num 27:11)
    The Book of Deuteronomy (Num 27:12—Deut 34:12)

  4. Books of Joshua and Judges (Josh 1:1—Judg 21:25)
    Covenant between Yahweh and Israel (Josh 1:1-8)
    Story of Rahab as Host (Josh 2:1-24 + 6:22-25)
    Inauguration of Joshua at Jericho (Josh 5:13—6:27)
    Othniel Delivers Israel from Aram (Judg 3:7-11)
    Ehud Delivers Israel from Moab (Judg 3:12-30)
    Saga of Deborah and Jael (Judg 4:1—5:31)
    Jephthah Delivers Israel from Ammon (Judg 11:1-40)
    Saga of Samson (Judg 13:1—16:31)

  5. Book of Ruth (Ruth 1:1—4:22)
    Parable of a Persevering Widow (Ruth 1: 1-22)
    Parable of Workers in a Wheat Field (Ruth 2:1-23)
    Story of Ruth as a Persevering Widow (Ruth 3:1-18)
    Story of Boaz as Legal Guardian (Ruth 4:1-22)

  6. Books of Samuel and Kings (1 Sam 1:1—Kgs 25:30)
    Stories of Samuel (1 Sam 1:1—8:3)
    Stories of David's Rise to Power (1 Sam 8:4—2 Sam 8:13)
    Stories of David's Successor
    Review of the Annals for the Monarchs of Israel and Judah (1 Kgs 11:44—2 Kgs 25:30)

  7. Book of Job (Job 1:1—42:17)
    Credential Hearings (Job 1:1—2:13)
    Indictment Hearings (Job 3:1—42:17)
    Entitlement Hearing (Job 42:7-17)

  8. Book of Psalms (Pss 1:1—150:6)
    Teachings
    Hymns
    Laments

  9. Book of Proverbs (Prov 1:1—31:31)
    Part One: Courtyard Teachings (Prov 1:1—9:18)
    Part Two: Great Room Teachings (Prov 10:1—22:16)
    Part Three: Holy of Holies Teachings (Prov 22:17—31:31)

  10. Book of Ecclesiastes (Eccl. 1:1—12:14)
    Audit of Work (Eccl 1:2-11)
    Audit of Wisdom (Eccl 1:12-18)
    Audit of Possessions (Eccl 2:4-11)
    Audit of Harmony (Eccl 3:1-15)
    Audit of Students (Eccl 7:23-29)
    Audit of Learning (Eccl 11:7—12:8)
    Audit of Learning (Eccl 12:9-14)

  11. Song of Solomon (Song 1:1—8:14)
    Propositions
    Tours-Burlesque
    Erotic Fantasies
    Teases
    Boasts

  12. Book of Isaiah (Isa 1:1—66:24)
    Trials of Judah (Isa 1:1—39:8)
    Creation of Zion (ISa 40:1—55:13)
    Isaiah's Book of Psalms (Isa 56:1—66:24)

  13. Book of Jeremiah (Jer 1:1—52:32)
    Inauguration of Jeremiah in His Mother's Womb (Jer 1:4-19)
    Trial of Jerusalem (Jer 2:1—3:5)
    Trial of Judah and Jerusalem (Jer 13:1-11)
    Trial of Judah (Jer 13:12-14)
    Trial of Jerusalem (Jer 16:1-13)
    Trial of Jerusalem and Judah (Jer 19:1-15)
    Lament of Jeremiah (Jer 20:7-18)
    Trial of Jerusalem (Jer 34:1—35:19)

  14. Book of Ezekiel (Ezek 1:1—48:35)
    Creation of the City of Immanuel (Ezek 1:1—48:35)
    Audit of Work (Eccl 1:2-11)
    Audit of Wisdom (Eccl 1:12-18)
    Audit of Possessions (Eccl 2:4-11)
    Audit of Harmony (Eccl 3:1-15)
    Audit of Students (Eccl 7:23-29)
    Audit of Learning (Eccl 11:7—12:8)
    Audit of Learning (Eccl 12:9-14)

  15. Book of Daniel (Dan 1:1—12:13)
    Teaching Stories (Dan 1:1—6:29)
    Apocalypse Stories (Can &;1—12:13)
    Teaching Stories (Can 13:1—14:46)

  16. Book of Hosea (Hos 1:1—14:9)
    Trial of Israel (Hos 1:2-3)
    Trial of Israel (Hos 1:3-5)
    Trial of Israel (Hos 2:2—3:5)
    Trial of Israel (Hos 11:1-11)

  17. Book of Amos (Amos 1:1—9:15)
    Trials of Israel and Its Covenant Partners (Amos 1:3—2:16)

  18. Book of Jonah (Jonah 1:1—4:11)

  19. Living the Bible
    What Does the Bible Teach?
    Why Do We Say the Bible Is Inspired?

    Works Cited
2