How to Read Genesis

By Tremper Longman III

Ryan's comments: ok, this is not a "commentary commentary", but i would still classify this under study guides and stuff. Part 4 of this book is a commentary - no matter how you argue against it. I enjoyed this book tremendously , it is almost like sitting through an IBS course. The questions being put forth in the opening chapters could well apply to the 4 other books of Moses. Knowing how we get our creation account is very enlightening, because one needs to understand the alternative accounts in order to appreciate the biblical accounts (the idea of sanctification is right there from the start - we have being set apart - even in our understanding of creation).

Tremper Longman III endorses the Genesis volume in New Bible Commentary and he also highly recommends Bruce Walke's controversial commentary on Genesis. Tremper Longman III also wrote on How to read Psalms and How to read Proverbs, which kind of form a series for IVP. I hope he writes more of such stuff. These are the books that help us to 'get into' the word without going to the commentaries first.


Table of Contents
Acknowledgments
Preface

Part 1: Reading Genesis with a Strategy
1. Understanding the Book of "Beginnings"

Part II: Reading Genesis as Literature
2. Who Wrote Genesis?
3. The Shape of the Book of Genesis

Part III: Reading Genesis in Its Own World
4. Myth or History? Genesis and the Enuma Elish
5. Noah and Utnapishtim: Whose Flood Story Should We Trust?
6. Abraham and Nuzi: Patriarchal Customs in Their Cultural Context

Part IV: Reading Genesis as God's Story
7. The Primeval History: Genesis 1--11
8. The Patriarchal Narratives: Genesis 12--36
9. The Joseph Story: Genesis 37--50

Part V: Reading Genesis as Christians
10. The Christological Difference

Appendix: Commentaries on the Book of Genesis

Book Excerpts
Preface »
1. Understanding the Book of "Beginnings" »