Skip to content

Reading the Historical Books: A Student's Guide to Engaging the Biblical Text
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

Reading the Historical Books: A Student's Guide to Engaging the Biblical Text Paperback - 2014

by Patricia Dutcher-Walls


From the publisher

Biblical history can be some of the most difficult material for beginning students to grasp. The conventions of contemporary history writing are quite different from those of ancient Israelite writers. Here a master teacher offers basic orientation to the genre and conventions of the Old Testament historical books, helping students become careful and attentive readers.

Written in an accessible style with many ancient and contemporary examples, this book introduces students to some of the phenomena they will encounter in the historical books and provides strategies for understanding their significance. The goal is to make further reading and study of Scripture more informed and sensitive. Sidebars, discussion questions, and further reading suggestions are included.

From the rear cover

Engaging the Old Testament Historical Books

"Somebody once famously wrote, 'The past is a foreign country: they do things differently there.' For those coming to serious study of the Bible for the first time, there cannot be any more important lesson than to understand how to read the Bible's ancient historical records faithfully on their own terms. They are not always the same as ours. You will not find a better or more sympathetic introductory book than this one to point you in the right direction."
--H. G. M. Williamson, University of Oxford

"This is a book about the ancient biblical historical books for readers in the text-message age! Engagingly written, it goes beyond matters of introduction to show how an appreciation of the factors of historical context, storytelling, point of view, and overarching concept plays a crucial role for readers in their understanding of the text. Always sympathetically aware of its audiences, and with panels calling for reader involvement, this book will be an invaluable aid to all who have a serious interest in understanding these rich story-histories of the Old Testament."
--J. Gordon McConville, University of Gloucestershire

"Finally, an accessible work that reunites the literary and historical aspects of the Old Testament historical books and trains contemporary readers to hear the text in responsible ways that can shape the course of life today."
--Mark J. Boda, McMaster Divinity College and McMaster University

"This engaging guide to reading historical narrative in the Old Testament is a great text for beginners. Dutcher-Walls assumes little and draws on a wide variety of relevant texts and illustrations from the Bible, ancient Near Eastern sources, and especially modern historical texts and media contexts. There is nothing better for communicating basic principles of Hebrew Bible historiography to modern readers."
--Richard S. Hess, Denver Seminary

Details

  • Title Reading the Historical Books: A Student's Guide to Engaging the Biblical Text
  • Author Patricia Dutcher-Walls
  • Binding Paperback
  • Edition 1st Edition
  • Pages 208
  • Volumes 1
  • Language ENG
  • Publisher Baker Academic
  • Date 2014-03-18
  • Illustrated Yes
  • ISBN 9780801048654 / 0801048656
  • Weight 0.53 lbs (0.24 kg)
  • Dimensions 8.66 x 5.49 x 0.55 in (22.00 x 13.94 x 1.40 cm)
  • Themes
    • Religious Orientation: Christian
  • Library of Congress Catalog Number 2013031552

About the author

Patricia Dutcher-Walls (ThD, Graduate Theological Union) is professor of Hebrew scripture at Vancouver School of Theology, where she also gives administrative oversight to the school's doctoral programs and serves as dean of studies and director of the library. She is the author of several books and a web-based Bible study curriculum. Ordained by the United Presbyterian Church (USA), she now serves as a minister in the Presbyterian Church in Canada.
Back to Top

More Copies for Sale

Reading the Historical Books: A Student's Guide to Engaging the Biblical Text
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

Reading the Historical Books: A Student's Guide to Engaging the Biblical Text

by Dutcher-Walls, Patricia

  • Used
  • Paperback
Condition
Used
Binding
Paperback
ISBN 13
9780801048654
ISBN 10
0801048656
Quantity Available
1
Seller
Eugene, Oregon, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 3 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
$8.00
$6.00 shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
Baker Books, 2014. Paperback. Very good.
Item Price
$8.00
$6.00 shipping to USA
Reading the Historical Books: A Student's Guide To Engaging The Biblical Text

Reading the Historical Books: A Student's Guide To Engaging The Biblical Text

by Dutcher-Walls, Patricia

  • New
  • Paperback
Condition
New
Binding
Paperback
ISBN 13
9780801048654
ISBN 10
0801048656
Quantity Available
6
Seller
Westlake, Ohio, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 5 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
$14.06
$3.95 shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
Baker Academic, 2014-03-18. Paperback. New. New with remainder mark. Buy multiples from our store to save on shipping.
Item Price
$14.06
$3.95 shipping to USA
Reading the Historical Books: A Student's Guide To Engaging The Biblical Text

Reading the Historical Books: A Student's Guide To Engaging The Biblical Text

by Dutcher-Walls, Patricia

  • Used
  • Paperback
Condition
Like New
Binding
Paperback
ISBN 13
9780801048654
ISBN 10
0801048656
Quantity Available
3
Seller
Westlake, Ohio, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 5 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
$14.06
$3.95 shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
Baker Academic, 3/18/2014. Paperback. Like New. New with remainder mark. Multiple copies are available. Buy multiples from our store to save on shipping.
Item Price
$14.06
$3.95 shipping to USA
Reading the Historical Books: A Student's Guide to Engaging the Biblical Text
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

Reading the Historical Books: A Student's Guide to Engaging the Biblical Text

by Dutcher-Walls, Patricia

  • Used
  • Paperback
Condition
Used: Good
Binding
Paperback
ISBN 13
9780801048654
ISBN 10
0801048656
Quantity Available
1
Seller
HOUSTON, Texas, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 4 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
$14.90
FREE shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
Baker Academic, 2014-03-18. Paperback. Used: Good.
Item Price
$14.90
FREE shipping to USA
Reading the Historical Books: A Student's Guide to Engaging the Biblical Text
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

Reading the Historical Books: A Student's Guide to Engaging the Biblical Text

by Patricia Dutcher-Walls

  • Used
Condition
UsedVeryGood
ISBN 13
9780801048654
ISBN 10
0801048656
Quantity Available
1
Seller
Bensalem, Pennsylvania, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 5 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
$29.08
FREE shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
UsedVeryGood. signs of little wear on the cover.
Item Price
$29.08
FREE shipping to USA
Reading the Historical Books: A Student's Guide to Engaging the Biblical Text
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

Reading the Historical Books: A Student's Guide to Engaging the Biblical Text

by Patricia Dutcher-Walls

  • Used
Condition
UsedVeryGood
ISBN 13
9780801048654
ISBN 10
0801048656
Quantity Available
1
Seller
Bensalem, Pennsylvania, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 5 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
$29.08
FREE shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
UsedVeryGood. Minor shelf wear
Item Price
$29.08
FREE shipping to USA
Reading the Historical Books: A Student's Guide to Engaging the Biblical Text
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

Reading the Historical Books: A Student's Guide to Engaging the Biblical Text

by Patricia Dutcher-Walls

  • Used
Condition
UsedVeryGood
ISBN 13
9780801048654
ISBN 10
0801048656
Quantity Available
1
Seller
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 5 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
$29.08
FREE shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
UsedVeryGood. signs of little wear on the cover.
Item Price
$29.08
FREE shipping to USA
Reading the Historical Books: A Student's Guide to Engaging the Biblical Text
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

Reading the Historical Books: A Student's Guide to Engaging the Biblical Text

by Patricia Dutcher-Walls

  • Used
Condition
UsedLikeNew
ISBN 13
9780801048654
ISBN 10
0801048656
Quantity Available
1
Seller
Bensalem, Pennsylvania, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 5 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
$29.69
FREE shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
UsedLikeNew. Remainder mark
Item Price
$29.69
FREE shipping to USA
Reading the Historical Books: A Student's Guide to Engaging the Biblical Text
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

Reading the Historical Books: A Student's Guide to Engaging the Biblical Text

by Patricia Dutcher-Walls

  • Used
Condition
UsedLikeNew
ISBN 13
9780801048654
ISBN 10
0801048656
Quantity Available
1
Seller
Bensalem, Pennsylvania, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 5 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
$29.69
FREE shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
UsedLikeNew. Remainder mark
Item Price
$29.69
FREE shipping to USA
Reading the Historical Books: A Student's Guide to Engaging the Biblical Text
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

Reading the Historical Books: A Student's Guide to Engaging the Biblical Text

by Patricia Dutcher-Walls

  • Used
Condition
UsedLikeNew
ISBN 13
9780801048654
ISBN 10
0801048656
Quantity Available
1
Seller
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 5 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
$29.69
FREE shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
UsedLikeNew. Remainder mark
Item Price
$29.69
FREE shipping to USA