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The Old Testament for Latter-day Saints
In The Old Testament for Latter-day Saints , Alex Douglas explores the Old Testament from various as a believer, a skeptic, a secular scholar, and a member of the Latter-day Saint community. He delves deep into biblical scholarship, incorporating insights from disciplines such as ancient Near Eastern archaeology and the rich mythic traditions of Israel’s neighboring cultures. By doing so, Douglas helps the reader appreciate the profound significance the Old Testament held for its earliest readers.
This book also explores the intriguing ways in which Latter-day Saints have interpreted and engaged with this ancient text and the author navigates their diverse interpretations of it. He examines how individuals have alternately embraced the Old Testament as myth or history, law or legend, wise counsel or sacred scripture. He shows where many traditional interpretations have come from, and offers many ways to encourage a more nuanced understanding of the text.
Drawing from a wealth of scholarly research and his own unique perspective, Douglas presents a compelling and multidimensional analysis of the Old Testament. However readers approach the text, this book sheds light on the complex nature of the Old Testament and its enduring relevance to the Latter-day Saint tradition.
This book also explores the intriguing ways in which Latter-day Saints have interpreted and engaged with this ancient text and the author navigates their diverse interpretations of it. He examines how individuals have alternately embraced the Old Testament as myth or history, law or legend, wise counsel or sacred scripture. He shows where many traditional interpretations have come from, and offers many ways to encourage a more nuanced understanding of the text.
Drawing from a wealth of scholarly research and his own unique perspective, Douglas presents a compelling and multidimensional analysis of the Old Testament. However readers approach the text, this book sheds light on the complex nature of the Old Testament and its enduring relevance to the Latter-day Saint tradition.
207 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 27, 2023
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January 27, 2024
The Old Testament for Latter-Day Saints – by Alex Douglas
This is not a book I ever anticipate will be sold in Deseret Books. If you are longing for text that simplifies the Old Testament (or all of scripture), summarizing the beliefs we now hold dear, this is not your book. In fact, I wondered and wrestled with many of the beliefs as taught by the modern LDS church, or even modern Christianity or Judaism (not that I am any authority on the beliefs of others.)
So why bother to read this book?
Because Douglas traces so many aspects of the Hebrew Bible through various lenses. I am no scholar, but I have been interested in Bible scholarship for many years. So I was surprised by how many ideas that I read that were entirely new to me. A quick glance at the contents will tell how many different perspectives are viewed. These include the Old Testament as:
Myth
Legend
Story
Law
History
Revisionist History
Prophecy
Isaiah
Advice
Scripture
One might wonder why the order of the chapters is not reversed. Why not tackle it as Scripture, first and foremost? It is only after considering in light of the previous chapters that one can apply one’s believing heart to such a fascinating collection of books and teachings.
As I finished the book today, I was struck by the contrasts of Daniel and Ester, Ruth and the teachings of Ezra. What a great “book” to teach principals that do not harmonize?! It is the wrestle that makes ongoing study worthwhile.
This book presents the opposite of simple “Sunday-School Answers”. That may be why I was attracted to it.
This is not a book I ever anticipate will be sold in Deseret Books. If you are longing for text that simplifies the Old Testament (or all of scripture), summarizing the beliefs we now hold dear, this is not your book. In fact, I wondered and wrestled with many of the beliefs as taught by the modern LDS church, or even modern Christianity or Judaism (not that I am any authority on the beliefs of others.)
So why bother to read this book?
Because Douglas traces so many aspects of the Hebrew Bible through various lenses. I am no scholar, but I have been interested in Bible scholarship for many years. So I was surprised by how many ideas that I read that were entirely new to me. A quick glance at the contents will tell how many different perspectives are viewed. These include the Old Testament as:
Myth
Legend
Story
Law
History
Revisionist History
Prophecy
Isaiah
Advice
Scripture
One might wonder why the order of the chapters is not reversed. Why not tackle it as Scripture, first and foremost? It is only after considering in light of the previous chapters that one can apply one’s believing heart to such a fascinating collection of books and teachings.
As I finished the book today, I was struck by the contrasts of Daniel and Ester, Ruth and the teachings of Ezra. What a great “book” to teach principals that do not harmonize?! It is the wrestle that makes ongoing study worthwhile.
This book presents the opposite of simple “Sunday-School Answers”. That may be why I was attracted to it.
Displaying 1 of 1 review