Prophets, Poets, Priests, & Kings : The Story of the Old Testament

by F. Washington Jarvis

For modern students, this text presents in a concise and ordered way the principal events and ideas of the Old Testament. Significant passages of the Bible have been extracted and grouped around specific personalities and events and cogently related to the social and political situations of the times.

292 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1989

Reviews

[Kevin Conway · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just picked up a 1974 2d printing of this book while I was packing up to move; I remembered the title as required reading for one of my son's classes in a private college prep school way back in 1995 or so. I remembered that my son enjoyed the class very much. Well, I started reading last night and could not put it down! I've read a lot of theology -- popular, erudite, classical and modern - the gamut. Seldom have I been so enthused to read any book, so clear yet so edifying! Here is a text clearly functioning as designed - to introduce young readers to several of the most vital and basic tenets of ancient Hebrews, Israelites and post-exilic Jews. It is perfect for beginners, so concise and approachable that a huge percentage of otherwise bored students might even find it fascinating. It might even serve an agnostic or atheist who wants to know what all the fuss is about to have a look. As the author notes in his preface, the Old Testament is rarely read, and poorly understood by those who even try. Reverend Jarvis takes the salient key moments of the OT and brings them alive, and makes, as it were, the "Old News" glimmer: that is, the dusty old pages shine forth when clarified by the way this gifted writer turns them. Also, you need not be of any particular persuasion to enjoy this book! No slant, no spin.

[John · Rating 4 out of 5]

a great survey of the ot, written by a teacher at my hs.