The Lost World of the Torah
Law as Covenant and Wisdom in Ancient Context
by John H. Walton; J. Harvey Walton
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Pub Date Feb 26 2019 | Archive Date Apr 14 2019
InterVarsity Press | IVP Academic
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Description
Our handling of what we call biblical law veers between controversy and neglect.
On the one hand, controversy arises when Old Testament laws seem either odd beyond comprehension (not eating lobster) or positively reprehensible (executing children). On the other, neglect results when we consider the law obsolete, no longer carrying any normative power (tassels on clothing, making sacrifices). Even readers who do attempt to make use of the Old Testament "law" often find it either irrelevant, hopelessly laden with "thou shalt nots," or simply so confusing that they throw up their hands in despair. Despite these extremes, people continue to propose moral principles from these laws as "the biblical view" and to garner proof texts to resolve issues that arise in society. The result is that both Christians and skeptics regularly abuse the Torah, and its true message often lies unheard.
Walton and Walton offer in The Lost World of the Torah a restorative vision of the ancient genre of instruction for wisdom that makes up a significant portion of the Old Testament. In the ancient Near East, order was achieved through the wisdom of those who governed society. The objective of torah was to teach the Israelites to be wise about the kind of order needed to receive the blessings of God’s favor and presence within the context of the covenant. Here readers will find fresh insight on this fundamental genre of the Old Testament canon.
The books in the Lost World Series follow the pattern set by Bible scholar John H. Walton, bringing a fresh, close reading of the Hebrew text and knowledge of ancient Near Eastern literature to an accessible discussion of the biblical topic at hand using a series of logic-based propositions.
Advance Praise
"Walton and Walton rightly view Torah in the broader context of wisdom and as an expression of wisdom. This is exactly what passages such as Deuteronomy 4:6 and Psalm 19:7 imply."
-Kevin Chen, associate professor of biblical studies, Union University
Available Editions
| EDITION | Other Format |
| ISBN | 9780830852413 |
| PRICE | $25.99 (USD) |
Links
Featured Reviews
Mark K, Educator
John and Harvey’s Walton’s “The Lost World of the Torah” is a captivating piece of literary genius that immerses us in the world of the Hebrew Bible. Nowadays, it is easy for some Christians to disregard the Hebrew Bible as old-time religion and just focus on Jesus and the New Testament. The Walton’s book helps Christians not only come to a sacred appreciation of the Hebrew Bible but also helps us grow with godly wisdom and grace because of it. I highly recommend!
Ionia F, Reviewer
I have been taking theological courses and have been devoting my extra hours to a lot of theological/philosophical reading. When I saw this book, I had hoped that reading it would clarify for me the purpose of the Torah, not through a 21st Century lens, but as to its original purpose. I am pleased to say, that it that, and much more.
This is a very well-written and thought provoking book, that explains what the Torah is and how it was meant to function in the society it was written for. Whilst many of us think of the Torah and the books of the Bible as largely being moral commandments that we should all follow, even in the current age, this book dispels a lot of those presupposed ideas and offers sensible conclusions on what the works really mean.
I found that the further I got into this book, the more the concepts that the authors presented made sense to me. This was written in an interesting manner that even a layperson, like myself can understand. I appreciated that it was not written in a way that seemed derogatory, as if the authors were trying to disprove the importance of the Torah, but conversely, that they were trying to ensure that it continues to have value when placed in the proper context.
Overall, this is an excellent book for anyone who wants to know more about the Torah, and why it exists. I will definitely read this book again.
This review is based on a complimentary copy from the publisher, provided through Netgalley. All opinions are my own.
Michelle K, Reviewer
The Lost World of the Torah
Law as Covenant and Wisdom in Ancient Context
by John H. Walton; J. Harvey Walton
InterVarsity Press
IVP Academic
Christian , Religion & Spirituality
Pub Date 26 Feb 2019
I am reviewing a copy of The Lost World of the Torah through Intervarsity Press/IVP Academic and Netgalley:
In this book the first Proposition that is inserted is that because the Old Testament is an ancient document, we can not read it as if it is modern. We are reminded too that Scholars have a role in the body of Christ, just as everyone else does.
The second proposition that the way we interpret the Torah is affected by the way we think law and legislation work today.
In the third proposition in this book it is pointed out that Legal Collections in the ancient world are not the same as legislation.
The fourth proposition tells us that Ancient Near Eastern Legal Collections teach wisdom. The fifth proposition goes on to teach us that because the Torah is similar to Ancient Near Eastern Legal Collections it also teaches us wisdom not legislation.
This book goes on to name twenty Propositions that explain what the Torah is and what the Torah is and what it is not.
I give The Lost World of the Torah five out of five stars!
Happy Reading!
Zachary G, Reviewer
Having recently read The Lost World of Adam and Eve by John Walton for one of my seminary Old Testament courses, I was pleased to see that this book has just been released. Structured in a similar way as some of his other books, The Lost World of the Torah is presented as 20 propositions which all build on the next. Walton talks about the idea that it is not just a collection of writings strictly focuses on law and rules, but that it was an expression of wisdom. It challenges the modern reader to remember that they have little to no idea what the ancient world was like and that the Torah meant something much different to its original audience than we might think it does.
It's not the lightest read, but I definitely recommend it to anyone interested in an introduction to these ancient texts.
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