How To Read Genesis (Revised)

Longman (emeritus, Biblical studies, Westmont Coll.; How To Read Daniel), prolific scholar of the Old Testament, has updated his 2005 edition of the same name, part of InterVarsity Press’s How To Read series, which so far is focused on various books of the Hebrew Bible. This relatively short text seeks to make the text comprehensible. Longman has long been known for his ability to analyze disparate literary genres and historical elements of scripture while crafting a solid Christological perspective—and on this point, he does not disappoint. That is, he seeks to provide space for Genesis as literature, myth, history, and at last, ways to read Genesis as a Christian, a perspective that he identifies as “preposterous and distorting,” and yet, not only prompted by Jesus himself (as in Luke 24) but absolutely needed in the context of current Christian teaching and preaching. Finally, Longman’s recommended commentaries and brief discussion of the current state of the documentary hypothesis make this a worthy read.