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A Modern Guide to an Old Testament
Many Latter-day saints want to follow prophetic counsel to study the Old Testament but find it difficult to understand and apply. A Modern Guide to an Old Testament explores twelve common hurdles—from unfamiliar language and confusing poetry to troubling violence and cultural differences—and offers practical tools to overcome them. With faithful insight and clear explanations, author Joshua M. Sears helps readers recognize Jesus Christ in the Old Testament, appreciate its covenant messages, and engage more confidently with its literary genres. Whether you’re a first-time reader or returning for deeper study, this book will help make the Old Testament more meaningful and rewarding.
181 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 27, 2025
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews
February 16, 2026
I plowed this through in a day simply because it felt so refreshing. It was deeply freeing to read a book from a BYU professor, published by Deseret Book, that essentially says, “Large parts of the Bible are not historical and that’s okay.” How many years of grappling with science vs. Genesis this could have saved me. Beyond that, it was great to understand what the heck is going on with Balaam’s talking donkey. Highly recommend as a concise, approachable intro for those doing Old Testament Come Follow Me this year.
January 29, 2026
Format: paperback
Such a great introduction into reading the Old Testament. This is the kind of study tool that, while short, takes time to read and process. I learned so much about how the Old Testament is organized and meant to be read, which I think will really help me in my studies this year. Sears also does a fantastic job at teaching in a way that is not too complex nor too simple. I loved all the quotes from modern prophets, as well as teachings from the traditional text.
This book really helped me to feel excited about diving into the Old Testament!
Such a great introduction into reading the Old Testament. This is the kind of study tool that, while short, takes time to read and process. I learned so much about how the Old Testament is organized and meant to be read, which I think will really help me in my studies this year. Sears also does a fantastic job at teaching in a way that is not too complex nor too simple. I loved all the quotes from modern prophets, as well as teachings from the traditional text.
This book really helped me to feel excited about diving into the Old Testament!
January 11, 2026
This relatively short book isn't a commentary on the Old Testament, but rather a way of looking at the Old Testament that can resolve some concerns people have while reading it.
My high school in Oregon offered an English class called The Bible as Literature. Back then, I was a little bothered by that because I thought the implication was that the Bible was not true, just some stories. I've learned through the intervening years that the Bible is literature, and realizing that helps us understand it better and overcome some feelings of discomfort when we expect that "true" means "historical".
Or more simply, "The Cheshire Cat has been quoted several times in general conference, but this does not make the cat historical."
The book covers other challenges modern readers might encounter, like the poetic language, conflicts with modern science and ethical concerns.
One subject I found really helpful is the contradictions I've noticed when reading the story of David in the past. Sears explains that there were (at least) two different accounts of David's life, and the author of 1 Samuel decided to splice them together without worrying too much about reconciling them, which is why there is redundancy and contradiction.
Sears wraps up by saying that although there are hurdles to having a great experience reading the Old Testament, clearing those hurdles is worth it because all other scripture assumes a foundation of familiarity with the Old Testament.
My high school in Oregon offered an English class called The Bible as Literature. Back then, I was a little bothered by that because I thought the implication was that the Bible was not true, just some stories. I've learned through the intervening years that the Bible is literature, and realizing that helps us understand it better and overcome some feelings of discomfort when we expect that "true" means "historical".
...since we believe the Bible to be truthful, we assume everything in the Bible must be historical. This modern, Western value judgment, however, ignores the reality that the cultures who wrote the Bible believed that sometimes the best way to teach the truth is through fiction. Consider the parables of Jesus. Although they are based on circumstances of everyday life, there need not have been a real good Samaritan or an actual pearl of great price or historical wise and foolish virgins for these stories to powerfully teach important realities about the kingdom of God.
Or more simply, "The Cheshire Cat has been quoted several times in general conference, but this does not make the cat historical."
The book covers other challenges modern readers might encounter, like the poetic language, conflicts with modern science and ethical concerns.
One subject I found really helpful is the contradictions I've noticed when reading the story of David in the past. Sears explains that there were (at least) two different accounts of David's life, and the author of 1 Samuel decided to splice them together without worrying too much about reconciling them, which is why there is redundancy and contradiction.
Sears wraps up by saying that although there are hurdles to having a great experience reading the Old Testament, clearing those hurdles is worth it because all other scripture assumes a foundation of familiarity with the Old Testament.
December 29, 2025
loved it!
October 30, 2025
For many Latter-day Saints, the annual Come, Follow Me journey through the Old Testament can feel like a daunting pilgrimage. It is a vast and often alien landscape, filled with archaic language, bewildering poetry, and troubling cultural norms that can create a significant chasm between the modern reader and the ancient text. While numerous commentaries and devotional guides exist, few have so skillfully attempted to build a bridge across that chasm as Joshua M. Sears has in his newly published book, A Modern Guide to an Old Testament. This is not another verse-by-verse commentary or a historical summary. It is something far more practical and, for its intended audience, far more valuable: a user’s manual for the Old Testament, designed to equip readers with the theological and methodological tools needed to navigate its challenges and unlock its spiritual power within the Latter-day Saint faith tradition.
What makes Sears’s approach so effective for Latter-day Saints is that he begins not with academic problems, but with a theological reorientation rooted firmly in the Restoration. Before tackling the literary and historical complexities that often trip up readers, he first establishes a distinctly Latter-day Saint lens through which the text of the Hebrew Bible can be viewed. The book’s first three “hurdles” are dedicated to “Finding Jesus,” “Understanding the Covenant,” and “Recognizing the Covenant.” Here, Sears demonstrates the practice of interpreting the Bible through the perspectives of the Book of Mormon and Doctrine and Covenants. Drawing on Nephi’s vision, for example, he frames the Bible’s primary “meaning” as a container for “the covenants of the Lord, which he hath made unto the house of Israel” (1 Nephi 13:23). He likewise invokes the Lord’s warning in the Doctrine and Covenants that the church is under condemnation for treating the covenant lightly, and that the remedy is to “remember … the former commandments” (D&C 84:57). This mandate explicitly includes the Old Testament. By grounding his work in this covenantal framework from the outset, Sears transforms the study of the Old Testament from a mere academic exercise or a frustrating duty into an essential component of understanding and deepening covenantal relationships with God. (By doing so, Sears also performs a theological demonstration of what Michael Austin described in his book The Testimony of Two Nations about the Book of Mormon connecting itself to the Bible and reframing and reinterpreting biblical narratives while doing so.)
With this theological foundation firmly in place, Sears masterfully guides the reader from a general level of understanding toward a more sophisticated engagement with the tools of modern biblical scholarship. He meets readers where they are, acknowledging the cultural primacy of the King James Version while gently demonstrating its limitations. His pragmatic solution—a “side-by-side” reading with a modern academic translation—is a perfect example of his approach: it honors tradition while embracing clarity and accuracy. He demystifies the concept of genre, explaining that ancient Israelite history was not written like a modern academic work but was theologically driven and comfortable preserving multiple perspectives. He provides a revelatory primer on Israelite poetry, identifying parallelism—the “rhyming of ideas”—as its core mechanic, a feature that makes its beauty accessible even in translation. Perhaps most importantly, he gives readers permission to see fiction as an inspired genre in scripture, distinguishing between a story’s “truth” and its “historicity” and thereby resolving many unnecessary conflicts for the literalist reader.
Sears does not shy away from the text’s most difficult passages. For apparent conflicts with science, he introduces the theological principle of accommodation, arguing that God “stoops” to reveal truth within the limited scientific framework of His ancient audience. In this way, he mirrors his chapter in the recently published book The Restored Gospel of Jesus Christ and Evolution (though it’s not a simple regurgitation or carbon copy of that chapter). For the profound ethical challenges posed by biblical violence and sexism, he offers a multi-step framework that encourages readers to think slowly, understand context, prioritize the teachings of living prophets, and channel their discomfort into positive action. This is a work of intellectual honesty and deep pastoral care, rooted in years of teaching college students about the Bible. It’s also a work that validates the reader’s concerns while providing a faithful path through them.
A Modern Guide to an Old Testament is a wonderful and much-needed reorientation to a book of scripture that is at the bedrock of our faith, yet too often neglected. Sears has produced a work of skillful mediation, threading the needle between academic insight and devotional reading, between an ancient text and a modern believer. He succeeds not by explaining away the Old Testament’s difficulties, but by reframing them as invitations to a deeper, more thoughtful, and ultimately more rewarding relationship with the scriptures and the God who speaks through them.
What makes Sears’s approach so effective for Latter-day Saints is that he begins not with academic problems, but with a theological reorientation rooted firmly in the Restoration. Before tackling the literary and historical complexities that often trip up readers, he first establishes a distinctly Latter-day Saint lens through which the text of the Hebrew Bible can be viewed. The book’s first three “hurdles” are dedicated to “Finding Jesus,” “Understanding the Covenant,” and “Recognizing the Covenant.” Here, Sears demonstrates the practice of interpreting the Bible through the perspectives of the Book of Mormon and Doctrine and Covenants. Drawing on Nephi’s vision, for example, he frames the Bible’s primary “meaning” as a container for “the covenants of the Lord, which he hath made unto the house of Israel” (1 Nephi 13:23). He likewise invokes the Lord’s warning in the Doctrine and Covenants that the church is under condemnation for treating the covenant lightly, and that the remedy is to “remember … the former commandments” (D&C 84:57). This mandate explicitly includes the Old Testament. By grounding his work in this covenantal framework from the outset, Sears transforms the study of the Old Testament from a mere academic exercise or a frustrating duty into an essential component of understanding and deepening covenantal relationships with God. (By doing so, Sears also performs a theological demonstration of what Michael Austin described in his book The Testimony of Two Nations about the Book of Mormon connecting itself to the Bible and reframing and reinterpreting biblical narratives while doing so.)
With this theological foundation firmly in place, Sears masterfully guides the reader from a general level of understanding toward a more sophisticated engagement with the tools of modern biblical scholarship. He meets readers where they are, acknowledging the cultural primacy of the King James Version while gently demonstrating its limitations. His pragmatic solution—a “side-by-side” reading with a modern academic translation—is a perfect example of his approach: it honors tradition while embracing clarity and accuracy. He demystifies the concept of genre, explaining that ancient Israelite history was not written like a modern academic work but was theologically driven and comfortable preserving multiple perspectives. He provides a revelatory primer on Israelite poetry, identifying parallelism—the “rhyming of ideas”—as its core mechanic, a feature that makes its beauty accessible even in translation. Perhaps most importantly, he gives readers permission to see fiction as an inspired genre in scripture, distinguishing between a story’s “truth” and its “historicity” and thereby resolving many unnecessary conflicts for the literalist reader.
Sears does not shy away from the text’s most difficult passages. For apparent conflicts with science, he introduces the theological principle of accommodation, arguing that God “stoops” to reveal truth within the limited scientific framework of His ancient audience. In this way, he mirrors his chapter in the recently published book The Restored Gospel of Jesus Christ and Evolution (though it’s not a simple regurgitation or carbon copy of that chapter). For the profound ethical challenges posed by biblical violence and sexism, he offers a multi-step framework that encourages readers to think slowly, understand context, prioritize the teachings of living prophets, and channel their discomfort into positive action. This is a work of intellectual honesty and deep pastoral care, rooted in years of teaching college students about the Bible. It’s also a work that validates the reader’s concerns while providing a faithful path through them.
A Modern Guide to an Old Testament is a wonderful and much-needed reorientation to a book of scripture that is at the bedrock of our faith, yet too often neglected. Sears has produced a work of skillful mediation, threading the needle between academic insight and devotional reading, between an ancient text and a modern believer. He succeeds not by explaining away the Old Testament’s difficulties, but by reframing them as invitations to a deeper, more thoughtful, and ultimately more rewarding relationship with the scriptures and the God who speaks through them.
February 28, 2026
I found this little book really helpful in my approach to the Old Testament, which is so far removed from my language and culture. My favorite of Sears' takeaways and tips:
* Biblical writers were not concerned with different points of view or contradictory narratives co-existing. Early compilers often took multiple sources and squished them all together into one biblical book, not worrying about reconciling differences (for example, the story of David and Goliath in 1 Samuel). Those contradictions do not need to throw doubt on the Bible.
* "For the first century and a half of the KJV's existence, it was routinely derided for its outdated use of biblical scholarship and for being rendered in very poor English. That general assessment began to change around the 1760s as English-speaking Christians, particularly in America, began to instead perceive the KJV's English -- now more removed from everyday speech than ever -- as a special style." I had never before heard anything like this. I've always thought the KJV was as literary as Shakespeare.
* 26.3 percent of all the words in the Old Testament are part of a formal poem! The KJV completely conceals this. Recognizing the poetic stanzas is very helpful in understanding the text; other translations make the poems much more obvious.
* Not a new concept to me, but something Sears stresses: many Old Testament prophecies have Old Testament fulfillments. We may have been raised to see all of Isaiah's words directly foretelling Jesus Christ, but ancient Israelites saw something completely different. A good student of the Bible can recognize multiple fulfillments of many prophecies.
* Some of the violence in the Bible (the destruction of the Canaanites, for example) may be hyperbole. Common conquest narrative of that time ran along the lines of "we killed every last soul." Both historical and archaeological evidence of many of the societies about which this was written show populations were not wiped out. Maybe the Children of Israel didn't actually commit genocide with God's approval?
Anyway, lots of good stuff in here, and absolutely worth the couple of hours it takes to get through the 130 pages of text. 4.5 stars.
* Biblical writers were not concerned with different points of view or contradictory narratives co-existing. Early compilers often took multiple sources and squished them all together into one biblical book, not worrying about reconciling differences (for example, the story of David and Goliath in 1 Samuel). Those contradictions do not need to throw doubt on the Bible.
* "For the first century and a half of the KJV's existence, it was routinely derided for its outdated use of biblical scholarship and for being rendered in very poor English. That general assessment began to change around the 1760s as English-speaking Christians, particularly in America, began to instead perceive the KJV's English -- now more removed from everyday speech than ever -- as a special style." I had never before heard anything like this. I've always thought the KJV was as literary as Shakespeare.
* 26.3 percent of all the words in the Old Testament are part of a formal poem! The KJV completely conceals this. Recognizing the poetic stanzas is very helpful in understanding the text; other translations make the poems much more obvious.
* Not a new concept to me, but something Sears stresses: many Old Testament prophecies have Old Testament fulfillments. We may have been raised to see all of Isaiah's words directly foretelling Jesus Christ, but ancient Israelites saw something completely different. A good student of the Bible can recognize multiple fulfillments of many prophecies.
* Some of the violence in the Bible (the destruction of the Canaanites, for example) may be hyperbole. Common conquest narrative of that time ran along the lines of "we killed every last soul." Both historical and archaeological evidence of many of the societies about which this was written show populations were not wiped out. Maybe the Children of Israel didn't actually commit genocide with God's approval?
Anyway, lots of good stuff in here, and absolutely worth the couple of hours it takes to get through the 130 pages of text. 4.5 stars.
February 26, 2026
I listened to this book twice, and I am planning on purchasing the paperback. What a great introduction to what the Old Testament is and isn’t. Reading the Old Testament with the added understanding that BYU professor, Joshua Sears teaches, provides a background that lends great depth of understanding and improved opportunities for personal revelation.
I was especially drawn to the information about different Bible translations. About 10 years ago I did scripture study with Pres. Emily Belle Freeman, through her course, Multiply Goodness. She introduced me to the value of other Biblical translations, which I embraced and purchased a couple of translations besides the KJV. I am so grateful for her influence!
With the recent change in the Church handbook concerning different translations, I have increased my library, including those which General Authorities have used in General Conference addresses.
Brothers Sears has now increased my ability to use these resources well. I recommend this great book as an introduction to learning to love The Old Testament… and our Master, Jehovah, who is the God of the Old Testament🩷
I was especially drawn to the information about different Bible translations. About 10 years ago I did scripture study with Pres. Emily Belle Freeman, through her course, Multiply Goodness. She introduced me to the value of other Biblical translations, which I embraced and purchased a couple of translations besides the KJV. I am so grateful for her influence!
With the recent change in the Church handbook concerning different translations, I have increased my library, including those which General Authorities have used in General Conference addresses.
Brothers Sears has now increased my ability to use these resources well. I recommend this great book as an introduction to learning to love The Old Testament… and our Master, Jehovah, who is the God of the Old Testament🩷
January 4, 2026
This was EXCELLENT!!! I loved it! I am so happy I read this before starting into the Old Testament. So many good tips that will drastically change my reading and understanding. I’m so grateful to have this knew knowledge before going in. This also answered so many questions I’ve had about the Old Testament but didn’t know how to articulate. So so good!! I recommend this to everyone wanting to read, and also understand better what you’re reading, in the Old Testament. This doesn’t go into stories in the Old Testament but instead goes over hurdles that people have with it, and how to over come them and change your perspective and assumptions. I’m so grateful for the change in my perspective now! I feel like I’m going to enjoy the complexity of the Old Testament so much more this year.
March 19, 2026
A fantastic book to help me understand the Old Testament! I learned things I didn't know. It corrected things I had misunderstood. It inspired me and increased my desire to read the Old Testament more and to see the hand of Jesus Christ in it's stories. Each chapter explores a different hurdle that keeps us from appreciating or understanding the Old Testament, such as the ethical concerns of sexism and violence in it, the conflicts with science, weighing the merit of various translations and judging the multitude of commentaries, understanding the setting and ancient literary types of the time period, as well as more. His wide-ranging footnotes increased my trust in what he was saying. I recommend this little book highly!!
November 26, 2025
10/10. Sears writes in an extremely clear and concise manner for a Latter-day Saint audience. He covers all the bases for how to approach the Old Testament...without being burdensome or ranty. This also contains a foundational amount of useful footnotes, and a plethora of amazing things to quote in Sunday School. Not only does he go over theory, but he also gives numerous real-world examples throughout his book. If I could only recommend 3 books EVERYONE should read on the OT, this would be one of them (after a study bible and Jehovah and the World of the OT). I will be reading this again and extracting quotes soon.
January 13, 2026
Unlike many guides that feed you on step by step hand holding as you move through a text or experience, this book provides insights and information to ease you into a study of an ancient book of scripture. Mr. Sears' examples come from the text and his charts provide valuable resources. He alerts you to prejudices that could mar your reading experience. The twelve hurdles he helps you the reader to overcome, address his experience with students in his classroom and how they have be stymied long before learning could begin. With this in mind, it is a good guide to read ahead of your study, not during your reading of the Old Testament.
January 8, 2026
I’m so glad I started this year’s study of the Old Testament with this book! Even though it’s short, it’s packed with insights that have deepened my understanding and completely changed how I approach the Old Testament. I no longer feel overwhelmed by the idea of trying to understand it all. I will probably listen through it again in a couple of months as well.
*book can be found on Deseret Bookshelf
*book can be found on Deseret Bookshelf
January 13, 2026
I've read a fair number of books giving commentary about the Old Testament, but this is BY FAR the most concise and useful book to help us make sense of the book as a whole. Not including the footnotes at the end, it's only 130 pages and written in a really familiar style, so it's a very easy read. For such a short book, the amount of good information and insight is just fantastic. Recommend to everyone for sure!
April 3, 2026
Highly recommended if you are not super comfortable with the Old Testament - even if you are, this will likely illuminate some points of view you hadn't considered.
I didn't know what I was getting into, but was glad to find someone had written a book like this, directly addressing the difficult parts of trusting, respecting, understanding, and loving the Old Testament. I think it was succinct and effective
I didn't know what I was getting into, but was glad to find someone had written a book like this, directly addressing the difficult parts of trusting, respecting, understanding, and loving the Old Testament. I think it was succinct and effective
March 23, 2026
Crazy good. Strikes a perfect tone of scholarly material made imminently accessible. If you have a lot of doctrinal reading under your belt, or it you are tackling the Old Testament and can’t make heads nor tails, this is a treasure. Listened to it and then bought a hard copy for my gospel reference shelves.
December 22, 2025
This quick little book is a nice Old Testament primer to get you ready to study ancient scripture. I think the author gives great suggestions about how to get the most understanding and insight from this often difficult to read volume.
January 2, 2026
Dr. Sears walks the reader through the importance of reading the Old Testament ( Hebrew Bible) in a way that is easy to understand yet deep enough to make one think. This book prepares the reader to begin their adventure into reading and studying the Old Testament.
November 27, 2025
A fantastic, readable, quality, devotional, and scholarly introduction to the Old Testament. Wonderful for LDS audiences.
January 5, 2026
This is an exceptional book that has changed how I will approach and study the Old Testament. It is a great resource for anyone who may have struggled with the Old Testament in the past.
January 5, 2026
I found this guide to be very helpful as I begin a year long study of the Old Testament. I will refer to it often this year. Highly recommend!
January 8, 2026
A really good rundown of the most common hurdles and how to approach them when it comes to studying the Old Testament.
January 10, 2026
This book covers many relatable points and has given me more confidence in studying the Old Testament.
January 13, 2026
I’ve enjoyed learning from the author through various podcasts over the years. This short book provided me with a really helpful framework for Old Testament study.
January 14, 2026
A wonderful introduction to reading the Old Testament with a faithful but informed perspective.
January 19, 2026
VERY helpful. Also a quick read. Learned several things that will help me as I study the Old Testament.
February 1, 2026
This is an extremely helpful book for anyone who is studying or about to study the Old Testament. It’s relatively short and to the point.
February 3, 2026
I recommend this book because it really addresses any issues you have had with it (being the Old Testament) and how to maximize study of it.
February 5, 2026
Great introduction to studying the Old Testament.
March 15, 2026
This is a fantastic resource for understanding the Old Testament better.
March 27, 2026
Super helpful and well written!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews