The Epic of Eden

Understand the Old Testament Like Never Before with this Revised and Updated New Edition

Does studying the Old Testament feel overwhelming and confusing? Do the stories and events seem disconnected and hard to follow? Have you resolved to really understand the Old Testament but find it difficult to piece together?

You're not alone—many Christians struggle to make sense of this portion of the Bible. In The Epic of Eden, Sandra Richter brings clarity and structure to the Old Testament, giving readers the tools they need to understand it.

Richter skillfully organizes the people, events, and themes of the Old Testament into a cohesive and memorable history of God's redeeming grace. Her approach helps you see the Old Testament in a new light, connecting the dots and revealing the unity of God's redemptive plan.

In this revised and expanded new edition, you'll find fresh material throughout, including new chapters, new discussion questions, a new introduction, updated timelines, the latest scholarship, and insights to support your understanding of the story of the Old Testament.

With The Epic of Eden, you will:



- Learn key facts and a clear timeline to connect events and people of the Old Testament cohesively.

- Discover fascinating details and fresh views that enhance your understanding of Scripture.

- See how the Old Testament connects to the New Testament, forming a unified story of God's grace.

- Deepen your love for God's Word by uncovering the beauty and unity of his story from Eden to the new Jerusalem.



Accessible for Christians at all stages of their faith journeys, The Epic of Eden will give you a deeper and fuller understanding of the Old Testament from a Christian point of view. As you learn to make sense of the Old Testament, your passion for studying the Bible will be renewed and strengthened. The Epic of Eden is a transformative resource for anyone ready to enrich their biblical knowledge and deepen their understanding of God's redemptive plan.



Sandra L. Richter (PhD, Harvard University) is the Robert H. Gundry Chair of Biblical Studies at Westmont College, a member of the Committee on Biblical Translation for the NIV, and widely recognized for her work in Deuteronomy and the Deuteronomistic history. She is best known in the church for The Epic of Eden: A Christian Entry into the Old Testament, the video courses that have grown from that project, and Stewards of Eden: What Scripture Says About the Environment and Why ItMatters. Her newest project, Abigail and the Waterfall: Loving God's Good Earth, is a children's book about stewarding the gifts of God's creation.



List of Figures and Tables



Acknowledgments



Abbreviations



Introduction



1. Real People, Real Places, Real Faith



2. The Bible as the Story of Redemption



3. The Bible in Real Time and Space



4. The Concept of Covenant: The "General Law" that Holds Our Facts Together



5. God's Original Intent



6. God's Final Intent: The New Jerusalem



7. Noah



8. Abraham



9. Moses



10. David



11. The New Covenant and the Return of the King



Frequently Asked Questions



What Role Does the Law of Moses Play in the Christian's Life?



What About Modern-Day Israel?



How the Old Testament Became the Old Testament



Notes



Glossary



Scripture Index