A case for an inspired, not inerrant, Old Testament

Coming to this book late, I can only agree with those who find Friedman's documentary analysis of the Old Testament fascinating and informative, so I would simply add this. For those who are attracted to the ideas of what is being increasingly called "Progressive Christianity" the question of the status and authority of the Bible and the Old Testament in particular can be quite problematic. Here, I find Friedman's analysis very helpful. In his culminating and summary final chapter he makes a coherent case for seeing the Old Testament, in spite of the "ragtag" history of its origin, as an important, coherent, and even "inspired" document, one that has much to say to us in the modern world as we wrestle with the same age-old questions that those ancient writers did.

A Good Introduction to the Tanakh or Hebrew Bible (The Old Testament)

Richard Friedman wrote an interesting book on the possible authorship, editing, redacting, etc. of the Tanakh. His work is lucid and well written. For those who do not have a comprehensive knowledge of biblical history, this book is a good introduction.^M

Outstanding story of one of the greatest mysteries of our time

This is an excellent book. In it, the author tells the story of how he and others before him unraveled the mystery of who wrote the books of the Old Testament. It is a compelling tale, and a fascinating one for anyone interested in this subject. ^M