The Epic of Eden - by Sandra L Richter (Paperback)

About the Book

Does your knowledge of the Old Testament feel like a grab bag of people, books, events and ideas? Sandra Richter gives an overview of the Old Testament, organizing our disorderly knowledge of the Old Testament people, facts and stories into a memorable and manageable story of redemption that climaxes in the New Testament.

Book Synopsis

Understand the Old Testament Like Never Before

Does studying the Old Testament feel overwhelming and confusing? Do the stories and events seem disconnected and hard to follow? Have you resolved to really understand the Old Testament but find it difficult to piece together? You're not alone-many Christians struggle to make sense of this portion of the Bible. In The Epic of Eden, Sandra Richter brings clarity and structure to the Old Testament, giving readers the tools they need to understand it.

Richter skillfully organizes the people, events, and themes of the Old Testament into a cohesive and memorable history of God's redeeming grace. Her approach helps you see the Old Testament in a new light, connecting the dots and revealing the unity of God's redemptive plan.

With The Epic of Eden, you'll

• Learn key facts and a clear timeline to connect events and people of the Old Testament cohesively.
• Discover fascinating details and fresh views that enhance your understanding of Scripture.
• See how the Old Testament connects to the New Testament, forming a unified story of God's grace.
• Deepen your love for God's Word by uncovering the beauty and unity of His story from Eden to the New Jerusalem.

Accessible for Christians at all stages of their faith journeys, The Epic of Eden will give you a deeper and fuller understanding of the Old Testament from a Christian point of view. As you learn to make sense of the Old Testament, your passion for studying the Bible will be renewed and strengthened. The Epic of Eden is a transformative resource for anyone ready to enrich their biblical knowledge and deepen their understanding of God's redemptive plan.

Review Quotes

"A helpful first entry point into the OT."

J. Day, Journal for the Study of the Old Testament, 33.5, 2009

"Here is a text that will instruct its readers, no matter what level of expertise they bring to it. The author converses with her contemporary lay reader in a winsome manner, knowing well the cultural chasm that exists for many Western readers of the OT. At the same time, her years as both graducate student and professor are evident in her selection and presentation of key themes that introduce the OT. Both the text and the endnotes are goldmines of historical and theological observations and resources."

Elaine A. Phillips, Bulletin for Biblical Research, 19.3, 2009

"Second only to my visiting Israel is The Epic of Eden in bringing the words of the Bible to life for me, at least as regards our watered-down understanding of the immensely important Biblical and historical concepts of covenant and redemption. . . . For anyone who needs to clean their Old Testament closet, The Epic of Eden is a wonderful organizational tool."

Peter M. Lopez, Beauty of the Bible (beautyofthebible.com), January 10, 2009

"The Old Testament tells of God's creation and the redemption of his people. Granted, it is a story that climaxes in the New Testament, but the New Testament cannot be understood apart from the Old. Christians have neglected the study of the Old Testament because (if we are honest) we find it confusing and distant from Jesus Christ, the center of our faith. Sandra Richter's The Epic of Eden helps the reader discover the riches and passion of the Old Testament story. This book will not only expand your knowledge, it will deepen your spiritual life."

Tremper Longman III, Robert H. Gundry Professor of Biblical Studies, Westmont College

"Using the image of a dysfunctional closet as her organizing metaphor, she provides a framework within which Old Testament data can be arranged and understaood. Wherever possible she links the biblical material with the New Testament references. Extensive endnotes are evidence of the research that undergirds this book, but the writing style is reader-friendly and captures one's imagination. Charts and illustrations throughout the book provide visual reinforcement of what is discussed. This is a very enjoyable introduction for beginners."

Diane Bergant, C.S.A., The Bible Today, July 2009

About the Author

Sandra L. Richter (PhD, Harvard University) is the Robert H. Gundry Chair of Biblical Studies at Westmont College, a member of the Committee on Biblical Translation for the NIV, and widely recognized for her work in Deuteronomy and the Deuteronomistic history. She is best known in the church for The Epic of Eden: A Christian Entry into the Old Testament, the video courses that have grown from that project, and Stewards of Eden: What Scripture Says About the Environment and Why ItMatters. Her newest project, Abigail and the Waterfall: Loving God's Good Earth, is a children's book about stewarding the gifts of God's creation.