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The Great Story of Israel
How should we read the Old Testament? For many nonbelievers, it is pure nonsense, a work of bronze-age mythology that encourages tribalistic bloodshed. For many Christians, it is a literal account of the world, a work of divine dictation recalling what transpired long ago. And for many theologians, it is a historical puzzle, a collection of works best understood through the intentions of its human authors.
In this groundbreaking book—the first of two volumes—Bishop Robert Barron offers a new way of understanding the Old Testament rooted in the writings of the Church Fathers. Journeying steadily through the Pentateuch, the historical writings, and the biblical novellas, The Great Story of Israel offers an invigorating theological and spiritual interpretation of these ancient texts, one that draws together the particular concerns of their human authors and the unique purpose of the Holy Spirit.
The parts and the whole, the Old and the New, and doctrine and exegesis all come together in this dramatic story of election, freedom, and holiness—a story read in the light of Christ, the glory of his people Israel.
In this groundbreaking book—the first of two volumes—Bishop Robert Barron offers a new way of understanding the Old Testament rooted in the writings of the Church Fathers. Journeying steadily through the Pentateuch, the historical writings, and the biblical novellas, The Great Story of Israel offers an invigorating theological and spiritual interpretation of these ancient texts, one that draws together the particular concerns of their human authors and the unique purpose of the Holy Spirit.
The parts and the whole, the Old and the New, and doctrine and exegesis all come together in this dramatic story of election, freedom, and holiness—a story read in the light of Christ, the glory of his people Israel.
321 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 30, 2022
104 people are currently reading
186 people want to read
About the author
Robert Barron
217 books840 followersBishop Robert Emmet Barron is an acclaimed author, speaker, and theologian. He is the former Francis Cardinal George Professor of Faith and Culture at Mundelein Seminary near Chicago and also is the founder of Word On Fire (www.WordOnFire.org).
Bishop Barron is the creator and host of CATHOLICISM, a groundbreaking ten-part documentary series and study program about the Catholic faith. He is a passionate student of art, architecture, music and history, which he calls upon throughout his global travels in the making of the documentary.
Word On Fire programs are broadcast regularly on WGN America, Relevant Radio, CatholicTV, EWTN, the popular Word on Fire YouTube Channel, and the Word on Fire website, which offers daily blogs, articles, commentaries, and over ten years of weekly sermon podcasts. In 2010, Father Barron was the first priest to have a national show on a secular television network since the 1950s.
Fr. Barron received his Masters Degree in Philosophy from the Catholic University of America in Washington DC in 1982 and his doctorate in Sacred Theology from the Institut Catholique in 1992. He was ordained to the priesthood in 1986 and has been a professor of systematic theology at the nation's largest Catholic seminary, the University of St. Mary of the Lake/Mundelein Seminary since 1992. He was visiting professor at the University of Notre Dame in 2002 and at the Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas in 2007. He was also twice scholar in residence at the Pontifical North American College at the Vatican.
In addition, Fr. Barron lectures extensively in the United States and abroad. Cardinal Francis George calls Fr. Barron “one of the Church’s best messengers.
Fr. Barron was baptized at Queen of All Saints Basilica in Chicago and grew up at St. John of the Cross parish in Western Springs, Illinois.
WordOnFire.org - Fr. Barron's website launched in 1999 and currently draws over 1 million visitors a year from every continent. Fr. Barron posts weekly video clips, commentaries and radio sermons and offers an audio archive of over 500 homilies. Podcasts of his sermons are widely used by tens of thousands of visitors each month.
TV - EWTN (The Eternal Word Television Network) and CatholicTV broadcasts Fr. Barron's DVDs to a worldwide audience of over 150 million people.
Radio - Since 1999, Fr. Barron's weekly Word on Fire program has been broadcast in Chicago (WGN) and throughout the country (Relevant Radio - 950 AM Chicago) to 28 million listeners in 17 states. Fr. Barron also is a regular commentator on the "Busted Halo Show" on the Sirius satellite radio network based in New York.
DVDs - Fr. Barron's DVDs are used as powerful faith formation tools in universities, schools, churches and homes around the country. The series includes Seven Deadly Sins, Seven Lively Virtues; Faith Clips; Conversion: Following the Call of Christ; and Untold Blessing: Three Paths to Holiness.
YouTube - With over 180 online video commentaries by Fr. Barron, over 1 million viewers worldwide have made him the most popular of any evangelist on YouTube. These frequent, high-quality productions include brief and lively theological reviews of contemporary culture, including movies such as No Country for Old Men, Apocalypto, and The Departed, a three-part critical review of Christopher Hitchen's book God is Not Great, The Discovery Channel's The Jesus Tomb, the HBO series "The Sopranos", "Rome" and more.
Missions - MISSION CHICAGO features evangelization lectures by Fr. Barron at the behest of Cardinal George. These special missions and presentations throughout the Archdiocese are centered in downtown Chicago and attract business, civic, and cultural leaders.
Books - His numerous books and essays serve as critical educational and inspirational tools for seminarians, priests, parishioners and young people worldwide. His published works are also central to the numerous retreats, workshop and talks that h
Bishop Barron is the creator and host of CATHOLICISM, a groundbreaking ten-part documentary series and study program about the Catholic faith. He is a passionate student of art, architecture, music and history, which he calls upon throughout his global travels in the making of the documentary.
Word On Fire programs are broadcast regularly on WGN America, Relevant Radio, CatholicTV, EWTN, the popular Word on Fire YouTube Channel, and the Word on Fire website, which offers daily blogs, articles, commentaries, and over ten years of weekly sermon podcasts. In 2010, Father Barron was the first priest to have a national show on a secular television network since the 1950s.
Fr. Barron received his Masters Degree in Philosophy from the Catholic University of America in Washington DC in 1982 and his doctorate in Sacred Theology from the Institut Catholique in 1992. He was ordained to the priesthood in 1986 and has been a professor of systematic theology at the nation's largest Catholic seminary, the University of St. Mary of the Lake/Mundelein Seminary since 1992. He was visiting professor at the University of Notre Dame in 2002 and at the Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas in 2007. He was also twice scholar in residence at the Pontifical North American College at the Vatican.
In addition, Fr. Barron lectures extensively in the United States and abroad. Cardinal Francis George calls Fr. Barron “one of the Church’s best messengers.
Fr. Barron was baptized at Queen of All Saints Basilica in Chicago and grew up at St. John of the Cross parish in Western Springs, Illinois.
WordOnFire.org - Fr. Barron's website launched in 1999 and currently draws over 1 million visitors a year from every continent. Fr. Barron posts weekly video clips, commentaries and radio sermons and offers an audio archive of over 500 homilies. Podcasts of his sermons are widely used by tens of thousands of visitors each month.
TV - EWTN (The Eternal Word Television Network) and CatholicTV broadcasts Fr. Barron's DVDs to a worldwide audience of over 150 million people.
Radio - Since 1999, Fr. Barron's weekly Word on Fire program has been broadcast in Chicago (WGN) and throughout the country (Relevant Radio - 950 AM Chicago) to 28 million listeners in 17 states. Fr. Barron also is a regular commentator on the "Busted Halo Show" on the Sirius satellite radio network based in New York.
DVDs - Fr. Barron's DVDs are used as powerful faith formation tools in universities, schools, churches and homes around the country. The series includes Seven Deadly Sins, Seven Lively Virtues; Faith Clips; Conversion: Following the Call of Christ; and Untold Blessing: Three Paths to Holiness.
YouTube - With over 180 online video commentaries by Fr. Barron, over 1 million viewers worldwide have made him the most popular of any evangelist on YouTube. These frequent, high-quality productions include brief and lively theological reviews of contemporary culture, including movies such as No Country for Old Men, Apocalypto, and The Departed, a three-part critical review of Christopher Hitchen's book God is Not Great, The Discovery Channel's The Jesus Tomb, the HBO series "The Sopranos", "Rome" and more.
Missions - MISSION CHICAGO features evangelization lectures by Fr. Barron at the behest of Cardinal George. These special missions and presentations throughout the Archdiocese are centered in downtown Chicago and attract business, civic, and cultural leaders.
Books - His numerous books and essays serve as critical educational and inspirational tools for seminarians, priests, parishioners and young people worldwide. His published works are also central to the numerous retreats, workshop and talks that h
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
August 4, 2023
This was a tough fucking read. A wholly worthwhile volume on looking at the Old Testament, both in finding how to see its own binding threads, but also in reading it with an eye turned towards the New Testament. Bishop Barron has 2 speeds with the written word: the first is the easy, breezy (yet RICH) essays in books like Vibrant Paradoxes or Seeds of the Word and the second are these dense, dense explorations of the highest hermeneutical thoughts. This is definitely the latter. Just glad to have made it through. Can’t wait for the second volume.
May 29, 2023
One of the Best Old Testament Commentaries I have Read
Bishop Barron is a wonderful theologian. This is a must needed commentary on the Old Testament. Instead of a line by line commentary, Bishop Barron looks at the overarching themes of each book, and unites them to the other books of the Bible, both Old Testament and New Testament.
Bishop Barron is a wonderful theologian. This is a must needed commentary on the Old Testament. Instead of a line by line commentary, Bishop Barron looks at the overarching themes of each book, and unites them to the other books of the Bible, both Old Testament and New Testament.
January 26, 2025
A wonderful book exploring more spiritual and symbolic readings of the Pentateuch and historical books of the Old Testament to draw wisdom and theological insights applicable to many or all. It was Very refreshing compared to modern demystifying historical-critical analysis. That said this is a very generous 4-star ratings, because for anyone who has listened to any significant amount of Bishop Barron much of this content will be very familiar. If it’s a very famous passage from the Old Testament, Barron’s analysis is likely to be familiar. For the less well known passages sometimes certain church fathers’ interpretations like Origen become a slight “crutch”…or he’s simply that compelling. Or Barron has some pretty worthwhile insights and takes for the lesser/least known stories. Off the top of my head: I highly enjoyed his reflection on Jacob wrestling with the angel, I raised eyebrows at his ultimate take on Elijah’s over-zealotry at slewing the 450 priests of Baal, and his thoughts on the short narratives such as Tobit and Judith and Esther were charming or excellent. But here’s my big issue with the book. This book becomes the source of all Bishop Barron’s commentary in the Old Testament Word on Fire Volumes. From a publisher’s perspective, this is a savage double-dip: have the source of the commentary down all in one place & even coherently strung together, and for those who won’t purchase the WOF Bible: here’s the Barron commentary you’re looking for. But as someone who will read/was congruently reading parts together, this became a slightly lackluster read, knowing I’ll read it all again in the WOF Bible. For me, it would have been nicer to read these commentaries in the WOF Bibles fresh for the first time.
January 4, 2024
More 3 1/2 stars. This is a good and concise tour through parts of the Old Testament with some interesting theological commentary by Bishop Barron.
However, I’m not sure that the decision to split the book was to its benefit, the prophetic and wisdom literature is to be covered in an as yet forthcoming volume. The means in effect that the exile is hardly touched upon, indeed the chapter on 2 Kings ends with the fall of the Northern Kingdom and then in the next chapter the Southern Kingdom is already returning with the books of Ezra/Nehemiah. Perhaps the split will become clearer on the release on the second volume, but this work feels in a way unfinished.
I appreciated the theological depth here but if I were to recommend to someone a one volume tour through the Bible I almost certainly point to Jeff Cavin’s ‘Walking with God’ over this.
However, I’m not sure that the decision to split the book was to its benefit, the prophetic and wisdom literature is to be covered in an as yet forthcoming volume. The means in effect that the exile is hardly touched upon, indeed the chapter on 2 Kings ends with the fall of the Northern Kingdom and then in the next chapter the Southern Kingdom is already returning with the books of Ezra/Nehemiah. Perhaps the split will become clearer on the release on the second volume, but this work feels in a way unfinished.
I appreciated the theological depth here but if I were to recommend to someone a one volume tour through the Bible I almost certainly point to Jeff Cavin’s ‘Walking with God’ over this.
July 13, 2025
The strength of this book is in the hermeneutical practice of forward reading first while also reading backwards in light of Christ, which truly gives light to Israel’s great story As Barron states in the book many times, “ancient Israel is called to be set apart from the world for the sake of the world.” They are called into union with God for benefit of the world. This great purpose has found its proper goal in Israel’s Messiah Jesus of Nazareth, whose extends Union with God to Israel and the nations.
August 2, 2023
Excellent summation of the story of Israel. Having visited the great modern nation of Israel, this telling really captures the essence of the story of ancient Israel for the modern mind. I view the ancient story more as a love story, so this isn't a perfect retelling for me. However, this telling it is quite good and steeped in excellent scholarship!
December 10, 2023
Even though I’m not Catholic, I really appreciated Bishop Barton’s analysis of the Bible. He expertly weaves together the theological, historical, and philosophical meanings and undertones of the Bible. He also draws innumerable comparisons between the OT and Jesus, including some that I’ve never thought of before. I will definitely be consistently referencing this book going forwards.
August 25, 2025
Robert Barron is a great theologian and I like his essay style of writing. As a Christian there are parts of the bible that are tough for me to comprehend but his way of explaining helped me to see things in a different light.
The book basically goes through the Old Testament and explains the sections from a theological point of view.
The book basically goes through the Old Testament and explains the sections from a theological point of view.
September 4, 2025
Explicación sencilla, coherente, estructurada y hermosa de los libros históricos de la Biblia. La preocupación principal del autor parece ser la de desentrañar los temas ("themes") o tesis primarias de cada uno de los libros, además de descubrir los hilos conductores, cuando existen, entre ellos, y siempre dentro de cada uno.
October 6, 2023
This was an excellent book to get the "big picture" of the story of Israel and its underpinning themes that one can miss at first reading. Bishop Barron provides a retelling of our story while citing patristic, medieval, and modern sources.
March 14, 2024
Appreciate how Bishop Barron identifies key themes per chapter in the Old Testament and finds connections to other parts of Scripture. That said, this can get pretty dense at times and took awhile to get through. Amazed at how much content this guy is able to generate!
January 19, 2023
I'm not Catholic, but I really enjoy Robert Barron's insights on these Old Testament books. I appreciate his focus always on Christ and how the message of the OT constantly points to Jesus.
July 7, 2023
Exceptional. Excellent. Perfection.
November 25, 2023
One of the best books Bishop Barron has written. I loved his way to integrating the history and theology of our faith in the text. It’s definitely one of my favorites!
December 5, 2023
Solid overview of many of the OT books, with insightful, thought provoking ideas and ways of interpreting, making sense of, the more controversial passages.
January 2, 2025
Excelente!!!
Ótima introdução ao Antigo Testamento e sua relação com a fé cristã. Bispo Barron é um dos tesouros da Igreja nesse tempo.
Ótima introdução ao Antigo Testamento e sua relação com a fé cristã. Bispo Barron é um dos tesouros da Igreja nesse tempo.
January 16, 2025
Very informative. I agree with the other reviews that Robert Barron does switch between writing easily to writing densely. I’m excited to read more books by him, his knowledge is very apparent!
March 10, 2023
This is an excellent primer on the Old Testament. Bishop Barron provides helpful analogies and context for some of the more difficult and confusing books and narratives.
The sections on Tobit, Judith, and Esther are superb. The sections on the Pentateuch and 1 and 2 Samuel aren't quite as strong, but Bishop Barron still offers some solid commentary on these books.
The sections on Tobit, Judith, and Esther are superb. The sections on the Pentateuch and 1 and 2 Samuel aren't quite as strong, but Bishop Barron still offers some solid commentary on these books.
February 28, 2023
Barron reviews major events from the Old Testament and examines them through a Christological lens. This is a good example of typology, and a helpful review of the Old Testament narrative.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews