In "Covenant Documents: Reading the Bible Again" for the First Time, Wayne Brouwer helps us peek behind the familiar pages of the Bible to find historical, literary and contextual information that bring new vibrancy to old words. His premise is that the internal testimony of the Bible's earliest books assumes a structured, formative event between Israel and its God, known as the Sinai Covenant. Brouwer shows how the various later biblical writings fit into patterns of ancient covenant documents and their historical supplements. "Covenant Documents" shimmers with fascinating history and literary analysis, providing helpful background, structure, and cultural dynamics that enliven the reading and rereading of the most famous book in the world.
Part introduction, part overview, part handbook, "Covenant Documents" serves as a great textbook for introductory courses in biblical literature and Christian doctrine. It also functions as a sourcebook for pastors and teachers, and especially as a guide for Bible study groups.
Wayne Brouwer is a professor in the Religion Department and the Studies in Ministry Department of Hope College. He is also on the faculty of Western Theological Seminary, which is in Holland, Michigan. He has served as lead pastor in three congregations and has taught in various colleges and seminaries internationally. He holds degrees from Dordt College (A.B.), Calvin Theological Seminary (M.Div., Th.M.) and McMaster University (M.A., Ph.D.). He has published over 700 articles and more than a dozen books, including "Political Religion" and "Being a Believer in an Unbelieving World."