interesting and helpful, but I wanted more...

Before we start, reviews of this sort of text are clearer when we know where the reviewer is coming from; I’m an atheist reading the bible in lockdown 2020. I thought this book would help me in understanding the OT better (it’s in the title!).

What I liked about this book was:
the way it approached major books one at a time.

The constant reference to and clarification of the Hebrew wording was also useful in many places.

The main thing I learnt from this was the use of Hebrew poetry structures such as repetition, and how they are used to point at and develop meaning, by sudden changes in these repetitions.

The performance is up beat throughout, and never lets you drop attention.

What I didn’t like was;
the performance was so upbeat that the guy was often seemingly catching his breath throughout, which took a bit of getting used to.

The focus on individual books meant that themes are restricted; you don’t get much cross-referencing. Given that many books have the same theme (the Israelites were granted favours for a covenant, then broke the covenant, leading to loss of favours until a leader could drag them back on course) means it gets repetitive and I often had to actually look at the app to find out which book was being discussed.

My most problematic issue and the reason for the 3 stars overall was the absence of discussion about the interplay between the OT and the NT: which bits did Christianity pick up on, reject or have to reinterpret. Maybe this is my fault, it’s a book about the OT after all.

So.. 5 stars for a book that would help you on reading for the first time or reviewing individual books of the OT.
2 stars for a wholistic view of themes in the OT
Don’t buy this book if you are looking for deeper understandings of the dynamic between Christianity and Judaism: an OT reader would be a better title...

15 people found this helpful

Brilliant!

If I could give this audiobook more stars, I would. The lectures are fascinating! The background information provided is always relevant to the text being discussed, without becoming overbearing; each lecture is conducted methodically, with references to other text and sources, presenting alternative interpretations and various arguments. I loved it that Prof. Miller doesn't shy away from providing what he deems to be the most sensible interpretation as well. He sounds passionate about the subject and this approach not only prevents the lectures from becoming a dry, academic discussion, but also provides enough information for the listener to either develop their own opinion or dig deeper into the subject.

In many ways, this is an introduction to the Old Testament that I have been looking for for the last 20 years or so. I will be definitely going back to this audiobook several times and will recommend it to anyone who wants to find out more about the Old Testament.

8 people found this helpful

Superb

I loved every second of it. He has the perfect balance. Great intellectual insight.
The last lecture is the best. Magnificent

2 people found this helpful

The Creation Myth of God.

Scholarly but not simple to follow.Complexity deciphered.
I have a healthy respect for the Book but now appreciate that the texts are a History but based on previous myths and histories,mostly oral traditions.
A revelation was the Dragon slayer metaphor..for the whole text and analysis.The Leviathan from the sea,a depth that personifies evil and the devil.I came to the conclusion that God is defined as a metaphor by the Old Testament , and is personified by being the abstract opposite of the Dragon myth..
Very interested in the Hindu myths precedent that established way before this written book the myths.It is like all religions and faiths just Hun beings mostly paternalistic head of family males or elites just making sense of things they cannot understand.

Anyway ,Prof.OK but should seperate his analysis the textual from historical and not leave me to figure it out.Detracted from.real interpretations in my view.

1 person found this helpful

Insightful and challenging

I don't consider myself a beginner when it comes to Bibke studies - I have read the whole Bible on several occasions, certain books more times than I can count, studied classical languages and can still read the Vulgate comfortably. The Septuagint, I'd need some help, and I'm lost with the Hebrew. However, I am extremely familiar with the text in various translations and languages. I'm not saying this to brag, just to say that I was not expecting this to so radically change my understanding of the OT.

And it really did change my understanding - from the Ten Words not being so much commandments as Laws and Warnings (so, you literally *cannot* take the Lord's name in vain - if you invoke Him, even casually, something will come of it whether you will it or not) to how cheerful and hopeful the Book of Lame tattoos actually is - I have found multiple reasons to reread the books and test my understanding. I listened to this for free but am going to have to buy it and listen again, taking notes. One of the best listens on Audible.

Not uncomfortable for an atheist

As a complete atheist I was just interested to see what it was all about. I had no interest in becoming religious and still don't but I'm always up for learning about other people.

I was a bit nervous that this would be too "preachy" for me and was prepared to delete and not come back the moment it got so. To my surprise, and to the lecturer's credit, it did not go that way for one second. In fact, to the contrary, having just completed the course I couldn't say with confidence whether the lecturer is even religious himself (i think he probably is but he could just be really interested in the bible).

Generally interesting, if not memorable, and as always with these courses I knew I was in the hands of an expert. I don't feel like I can remember much, like I have of previous courses (most recently the excellent course on ancient Egypt) and I won't be going round boasting of my biblical knowledge. But well worth a listen for a relatively short course.

I hope this review helps anyone who is similarly interested but not interested in being preached to.

Fascinating and inspiring

So many insights into the meaning and significance of the Old Testament text from this easily accessible, yet detailed literary approach.

Incredible

I really enjoyed the soul-refreshing Word of God!!! Thanks to the author for the wonderful explanation!

Absolutely fantastic

I really don't have anything bad to say about this, but the slightly weird music between sections caught me off guard at first haha.

Interesting listen

I bought this to listen to at bedtime, but it was really interesting so I ended up listening to it rather than falling asleep. Im not into the bible, but it was intriguing to find out the double meaning of the words and why things were written as they were. Makes you wonder why people take it so literally as the professor explains that it was there to be interpreted as the writer was capturing the stories as well as adding spin to explain the issues of the day around him. Fascinating listen and I found myself digging out my bible which I've not looked at in over 20 years as I have a new perspective on it. Recommended listen if you are befuddled/put off by the religious bumpf that usually comes from trying to read it.