Stories from the Old Testament: From Moses to King Saul

by Lawrence Boadt (Editor)

This first volume of the great historical narratives of the Old Testament begins with the story of Moses and follows the Israelites through the reign of King Saul. These early chapters of the Bible are primarily about mystery -- the call or compulsion or attraction that invites people to seek, and find, God. This fascinating volume explores these mysteries of the Old Testament, shedding light on their relevance to today's world.

237 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 1999

About the author

Lawrence Edward Boadt, C.S.P. (October 26, 1942 – July 24, 2010), was an American Paulist priest and Biblical scholar, who advocated on behalf of improved communication and understanding between Christians and Jews.

Reviews

[Nik Kane · Rating 4 out of 5]

This volume is basically an abridgement of the early books of the Revised English version of the Bible. The editors have put forth an easy to read narrative version. I have recommended this volume to friends who refuse to read the Bible because of all of the esoterica and banalities in the language and content. My only objection is that for some reason this "Volume I" does not begin with the creation account(s) at the beginning of Genesis, but inexplicably starts with Moses and the Exodus.
Also included in this volume is a brief introduction to each of the books of the Bible from which the narrative derives as well as a much lengthier section entitled "Stories from the Old Testament in Literature" which contains entries for all of the major characters and events covered in the main text and gives an extensive if not comprehensive account of references to the subject throughout the history of literature. This appendix alone is worth the price of the book.
I believe that everyone should read the Bible regardless of their belief system, as the imagery, metaphors and language which it contains make up a good portion of the collective mythology of the modern world. For those unwilling to slog through the complete text, this series offers an acceptable alternative.