'Intended primarily as a textbook for undergraduates, this volume has the following major divisions, each divided into chapters: I. An introduction to the People (including the essential stance of the biblical material, methods of analysis, and the geographical setting); II. The Origins of the People (including a brief history of Old Testament criticism, the patriarchal traditions, the exodus event, and the covenant at Sinai); III. The Growth of the People (from the wilderness period to the time of Elijah); IV. The Demise of the People (from the emergence of the literary prophets to the time of the exile); V. The Renewal of the People (from the Second Isaiah through the end of the Old Testament period). There is an extensive bibliography (arranged topically and by chapters), indexes of authors and subjects, and photos and maps scattered appropriately throughout the volume.' 'Concerning many basic issues a range of scholary opinions is cited, followed by a judicious evaluation and a list of the author's conclusions. Only occasionally may the average informed reader want to take serious issue with the author. . . . Each chapter dealing with the biblical text is accompanied by a list of passages which the student is to read in conjunction with it, a helpful procedure. . . . Treatment of a particular segment of biblical material often includes discussion of its theological stance. . . . The author has included coverage of many more topics than introductions of comparable size.' --From The Journal of Biblical Literature, review by Lloyd R.Bailey, Duke University: 'Professor Kuntz has written a very helpful introductory text. The traditions and texts of the Hebrew Bible are set within a historical framework, but the text is more than a history of ancient Israel. Kuntz presents, in a succinct fashion, major historiographical and interpretative positions. . .He has included an excellent bibliography which includes commentaries, atlases, journals, as well as bibliographies structured along the lines of the table of contents. . .Kuntz has written a very readable and thorough introduction to the Hebrew Bible.' --From The Journal of the American Academy of Religion, by Richard D. Hecht, University of California, Santa Barbara 'Although the subtitle includes the three areas of literature, history, and thought, this volume is primarily concerned with the literature of the Old Testament. A vast amount of information is made available in a breezy, well-articulated and engaging style. . .Kuntz keeps his readers informed on presently controversial issues, but he does not allow the intricacies of such current debates to obscure the flow of the work as a whole. Each chapter is amply footnoted, and an extensive annotated bibliography concludes the volume. . .Some seventy photographs enhance an already clear and concise presentation. . .The vigorous and open stance of the work, evident in its lack of defensive or apologetic intent, finds confirmation in the author's statement: to engage in the Old Testament hermeneutical task is to engage in a dialogue with ancient Israel. As that dialogue unfolds, the interpreter will be required to place his own view of the world on trial. . . .Kuntz has ably demonstrated that the major task of introducing the Old Testament to the interested layperson can be accomplished successfully without jargon and sophisticated detail. This volume deserves a wide readership and will serve as a very fine foundation in introductory courses to the entire Old Testament.' --From The Catholic Biblical Quarterly, by David P. Reid, SS.CC., Washington Theological Coalition, Silver Spring, Maryland:
