Books like Introducing the Old Testament by John William Drane

A Christian Bible is a collection of sacred books divided into the Old and New Testaments that a Christian denomination regards as divinely inspired scripture.

Isaac Asimov guides readers through the Bible by examining its historical, cultural, and literary contexts, offering a thoughtful perspective on the ancient scriptures.

A comprehensive, evangelical survey of the Old Testament, offering detailed studies of each of the thirty‑nine books, their literary qualities, theological themes, and historical context.

"John Drane's survey provides an engaging general introduction to the persons, events, and cultural contexts of the Bible. Arranged historically, Drane's text takes readers through the Bible with numerous special articles that highlight historical and interpretative controversies that figure significantly in contemporary scholarship. This leading introductory textbook provides students with an accessible and critical understanding of biblical literature. Revisions to the second edition include: Rich, full-color interior designʺChapter openers listing overarching themesʺNew glossary" -- Publisher description.

"The Hebrew Scriptures, or "Old Testament" as Christians call it, has given the world some of the greatest literature known. With this fresh introduction, cutting-edge biblical scholars bring ancient Israel to brilliant Technicolor life. Readers will learn of unlikely heroes and courageous women, royal intrigues and slave rebellions, doubtful prophets and lovesick poets, bloody battles and miraculous triumphs. These retellings will delight observant Jews, faithful Christians, world historians and readers of great literature. Passed down for centuries as spoken stories, compiled around 450 BCE, and finalized probably around the time of Jesus, the various books of the Hebrew Bible took shape under a variety of cultures and time periods, influencing the formation of Judaism, Christianity and Islam. The authors open our eyes to this diverse history shedding new meaning on well-worn texts. They point out how the Hebrew Bible has continually shaped society, and how our own cultural circumstances influence how we interpret it today. The authors highlight the Biblical themes with which readers continue to wrestle: human evil and God's response; war and peace; law and society; politics and economics; belief and practice; women and sexuality; Israel and the Nations; practical wisdom and apocalyptic vision. As relevant today as it was 2,500 years ago, Knight and Levine will open the reader's eyes to the riches of one of the greatest collections of literature known to humankind"--

"In this updated edition of the popular textbook, Walter Brueggemann and Tod Linafelt introduce the reader to the broad theological scope of the Old Testament, treating some of the most important issues and methods in contemporary biblical interpretation. This clearly written textbook focuses on the literature of the Old Testament as it grew out of religious, political, and ideological contexts over many centuries in Israel's history. Covering every book in the Old Testament (arranged in canonical order), the authors demonstrate the development of theological concepts in biblical writings from the Torah through post-exilic Judaism. This introduction invites readers to engage in the construction of meaning as they venture into these timeless texts"--