The Torah Story

by Gary Edward Schnittjer

Publisher:

Zondervan

, 2006

Overview

The Torah Story introduces the first five books of the Old Testament. A sophisticated study text written in an engaging and accessible voice, The Torah Story includes flexible study options that help students understand how these key books contribute to the ongoing story of salvation.

Working knowledge of the Torah is essential for every serious student of the Scriptures. Written in an engaging and accessible voice, even while digging into difficult and complicated matters at a sophisticated level, The Torah Story emphasizes the content of the text itself, moving beyond debating dates and theories of authorship into understanding how these five key books of the Bible help us understand the story of salvation. Providing flexible options for further study, each chapter includes the following:

• Tips and tools for getting started
• Questions that focus on key issues Key terms to look for
• Outlines and summaries of the material
• An interactive workshop designed for students, individuals, or study groups
• Challenge questions drawn from the chapter and biblical text
• Advanced questions for those who want deeper exploration of biblical contexts, language, and exegetical or theological issues
• Research project suggestions

This resource brings a refreshingly new approach to the Torah—neither an introduction nor a commentary—The Torah Story provides a model of how to read Scripture intertextually. It leaves no doubt as to the overarching unity of the message and composition of the Pentateuch.

Contents

Top Highlights

“The fact that God alone committed himself to the covenant, symbolized by the torch, suggests that the promise is eternal. The fulfillment of the covenant was established on the power of God’s word without regard to Abram’s responsibility.” (Page 121)

“Jacob was not a prevailer because he overcame his tendencies toward sin but because he listened to God, interpreted his life in light of God, and sought the blessing of God.” (Page 150)

“Third, in what sense is the narrative interpretation of the events theological? In the case of biblical narrative, the interpretation of events is guided by the theological vantage point of the story itself. Biblical narrative places the human phenomenon within divine perspective. It is, in a real sense, God’s story.” (Page 16)

“Thus, in the first two accounts of drunkenness in the Bible—Noah and Lot (see Table 7-C)—the three most cursed enemies of Israel were established—Canaan, Moab, and Ammon. The Moabites and Ammonites were not cursed because of their origin but because of their wickedness against Israel (see Deut. 23:3–6).” (Page 124)

“Extended echo effect is the parallel repeated ordering of elements or features (similar to type-scenes” (Page 17)

Product Details

• Title: The Torah Story: An Apprenticeship on the Pentateuch
• Author: Gary Edward Schnittjer
• Publisher: Zondervan
• Print Publication Date: 2006
• Logos Release Date: 2011
• Pages: 592
• Era: era:contemporary
• Language: English
• Resources: 1
• Format: Digital › Logos Research Edition
• Subject: Bible. O.T. Pentateuch › Criticism, interpretation, etc
• ISBNs: 9780310493587, 9780310248613, 0310493587, 0310248612
• Resource ID: LLS:TORAHSTORY
• Resource Type: Bible Commentary
• Metadata Last Updated: 2022-09-30T03:26:34Z

About Gary Edward Schnittjer

Gary Edward Schnittjer (PhD, Dallas Theological Seminary) is the Distinguished Professor of Old Testament at Cairn University in Langhorne, Pennsylvania.