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Navigating Tough Texts of the Old Testament, Volume 1: A Guide to Problem Passages from Genesis Through Deuteronomy
208 pages, Paperback
Published September 22, 2026
About the author
Tremper Longman III
228 books136 followersTremper Longman III (PhD, Yale University) is the Robert H. Gundry Professor of Biblical Studies at Westmont College in Santa Barbara, California. Before coming to Westmont, he taught at Westminster Theological Seminary in Philadelphia for eighteen years. He has authored or coauthored numerous books, including An Introduction to the Old Testament, How to Read Proverbs, and commentaries on Daniel, Ecclesiastes, Proverbs, Jeremiah and Lamentations, and Song of Songs.
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Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
While most of scripture is very understandable (perspicuity of Scripture), some scriptures are harder to understand than others.
Longman moves through the first five books of the Old Testament (The Pentateuch) discussing texts that are considered tough.
His view is much more figurative than my own.
In the beginning chapters, he tends to consider things more symbolic that literal. I do believe there is a lot of symbols in scripture (The dragon in Rev. is symbolic). But that doesn't mean that the Historical sections are also figurative. I think we can see Adam as a historical figure.
Along with the creation of Adam and Eve, he sees the creation account as figurative. His logic is if God is spirit and has no lungs, he could not have breathed life into Adam. To be fair, he still believes that God created man, he just does not believe there was a literal Adam as the first man.
Even though I disagree with the first section, the book is still very interesting and informative.
He has some good insights as he moves through the text.
While Longman is a little too left leaning for my taste, I still recommend this book, but to those who are mature enough in the word to be discerning.
Thanks to Baker Books and Netgalley for this advance copy
Longman moves through the first five books of the Old Testament (The Pentateuch) discussing texts that are considered tough.
His view is much more figurative than my own.
In the beginning chapters, he tends to consider things more symbolic that literal. I do believe there is a lot of symbols in scripture (The dragon in Rev. is symbolic). But that doesn't mean that the Historical sections are also figurative. I think we can see Adam as a historical figure.
Along with the creation of Adam and Eve, he sees the creation account as figurative. His logic is if God is spirit and has no lungs, he could not have breathed life into Adam. To be fair, he still believes that God created man, he just does not believe there was a literal Adam as the first man.
Even though I disagree with the first section, the book is still very interesting and informative.
He has some good insights as he moves through the text.
While Longman is a little too left leaning for my taste, I still recommend this book, but to those who are mature enough in the word to be discerning.
Thanks to Baker Books and Netgalley for this advance copy
Displaying 1 - 1 of 1 review