David Beldman is an associate professor of religion and
theology at Redeemer University College, Ancaster, Ontario, Canada,
where he loves opening up the riches of Scripture with
undergraduate students. He is also on faculty at the Missional
Training Center in Phoenix, Arizona, where he teaches in the area
of Old Testament. He has published on various aspects of the Old
Testament and biblical theology. He is the author of The Completion
of Judges: Strategies of Ending in Judges 17-21 (Eisenbrauns, 2017)
and is currently writing a commentary on Judges (Eerdmans).
Craig G. Bartholomew (PhD, Bristol University) is H. Evan
Runner Chair of Philosophy and professor of philosophy and religion
& theology, Redeemer University College. He is author of
Ecclesiastes (Baker Commentary on the Old Testament Wisdom and
Psalms), Where Mortals Dwell, and coauthor of The Drama of
Scripture.
Christians tend to shun the book of Judges when looking for ethical
instruction and spiritual uplift. But David Beldman shows, with the
aid of modern hermeneutics, that this is to miss some of the most
relevant messages of Scripture. Reading these apparently
unpromising texts with Beldman, you will be instructed and
challenged. In short, this is a most worthwhile study of a valuable
part of the Bible.
--Gordon J. Wenham, tutor in Old Testament, Trinity College
(Bristol, England); author, Exploring the Old Testament
The "church" in our times is in desperate need of a deep plunge
into the book of Judges. I know no one better to guide that plunge
than David Beldman. Prior to our church preaching through the book
of Judges, David guided our leaders through Deserting the King. It
was stunning, formative, and sharpening. I highly encourage all to
engage Judges through this book.
--Tyler Johnson, lead pastor, Redemption Church (Arizona)
In this excellent survey, David Beldman does three things. He sets
the book of Judges meaningfully within the overarching creational
and redemptive narrative of the whole Bible; he clarifies and
illuminates the structure of the book and the intrinsic (but easily
overlooked) message that structure carries; and he offers
penetrating reflections on the relevance of the book to
contemporary cultures. To do all this in such a simply-written and
easy-to-read short volume, and to do it for one of the more
challenging and neglected books in the Bible, is a most commendable
achievement. Church and student groups, preachers and teachers,
will all find this book opens their eyes and feeds their faith.
--Christopher J.H. Wright, international ministries director,
Langham Partnership
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