Digital Logos Edition
These are just a few of the episodes that Genesis conjures up. But we miss the point if we focus on what seems strange to us. And we distort the message if we demand that this book answer questions that are strange to it.
To read Genesis intelligently, we must consider the questions, the literature and the times in which Genesis was written. In How to Read Genesis Tremper Longman III provides a welcome guide to reading and studying, understanding and savoring this panorama of beginnings--of both the world and of Israel. And importantly for Christian readers, we gain insight into how Genesis points to Christ and can be read in light of the gospel.
Honored in 2006 as a "Year's Best Book for Preachers" by Preaching magazine.
“One important principle of interpretation is to recognize that not all of our questions can be answered.” (Page 20)
“The book of Genesis is not a history-like story but rather a story-like history.” (Page 28)
“PRINCIPLE 1. RECOGNIZE THE LITERARY NATURE OF THE BOOK OF GENESIS” (Page 23)
“Question 4. What can we learn about Genesis from comparable ancient Near Eastern literature?” (Page 24)
“In essence, the Bible’s primary purpose is to picture God and our relationship with him.” (Page 27)
Longman does a good job of addressing critical arguments about author and date in an accessible way . . .Longman deserves praise for giving laymen the tools to engage the Bible more thoughtfully.
—Modern Reformation
[How to Read Genesis] is written in a way that allows any minister or teacher of the Word as well as any educated layperson to enter the world of contemporary Old Testament scholarship.
—Daniel R. Hyde, Calvin Theological Journal
Longman sheds fresh light on overly familiar stories in an interesting and readable manner. He presents competing theological understandings of Genesis fairly (in my opinion). Most importantly, he leads the reader into actually reading Genesis, after reading about it.
—Dolores Klinsky Walker, National Church Library Association