This new isagogics textbook examines and explores each book of the Old Testament, preparing students of the Bible to read Israel’s texts with understanding and insight. It helps answer questions such as “What is helpful and what is detrimental to evangelical faith?” and “How do conservative scholars respond to critical views of the Old Testament?” The book interacts with scholars in a respectful way while providing evangelical assessments that foster historical and theological confidence in the Old Testament.

Fall '26
Required FLS textbook for Historical Books course taught by Dr. Brent Olson, Professor of Old Testament.

Fall '25
Required FLS textbook for Major Prophets course taught by Dr. Brent Olson, Professor of Old Testament.

Spring '24
Required FLS textbook for Historical Books course taught by Dr. Brent Olson, Professor of Old Testament.

Spring '23
Required FLS textbook for Historical Books course taught by Dr. Brent Olson, Professor of Old Testament.

Spring '22
Required FLS textbook for Historical Books course taught by Dr. Brent Olson, Professor of Old Testament.

Spring '21
Required FLS textbook for Historical Books course taught by Dr. Brent Olson, Professor of Old Testament.

Spring '20
Required FLS textbook for Historical Books course taught by Dr. Brent Olson, Professor of Old Testament.

Spring '19
Required FLS textbook for Historical Books course taught by Dr. Brent Olson, Professor of Old Testament.

Lessing and Steinmann’s Prepare the Way of the LORD is the best recent graduate-level survey of the entire Old Testament from a Lutheran perspective. Each chapter deals concisely with the literature, history, and theology of an Old Testament book. The theology sections are especially noteworthy for their inclusion of topics emphasized in Lutheran theology, namely, “Christ in ” and “Sin and grace in .”
—Pr. Brent Olson

Rich rewards await readers who dig deep into the historical books of the Old Testament. Incredible events, amazing love stories, larger-than-life personalities, and deep theological themes are just some of the treasures found in Joshua, Judges, Ruth, 1 & 2 Samuel, 1 & 2 Kings, 1 & 2 Chronicles, Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther.

These books tell the story of the nation of Israel and the God who loves her, punishes her, and always brings this recalcitrant people back to Himself. It is really the story of all of us.

David M. Howard Jr. provides an in-depth introduction to the Old Testament historical books, focusing first on the overarching themes of historical narrative in general. He then turns his attention to each book, considering topics like:

• Authorship and date
• Place in the canon
• Historical and cultural context
• Theology of the book
• Special issues pertaining to the book

From the conquest of Canaan to the fall of Jerusalem, from war to peace and back to war, from kings and queens to farmers and housewives—David Howard covers it all in this invaluable introduction to the Old Testament historical books.

Fall '26
Required FLS textbook for Historical Books course taught by Dr. Brent Olson, Professor of Old Testament.

Spring '26
Required FLS textbook for Historical Books course taught by Dr. Brent Olson, Professor of Old Testament.

Spring '24
Required FLS textbook for Historical Books course taught by Dr. Brent Olson, Professor of Old Testament.

Spring '23
Required FLS textbook for Historical Books course taught by Dr. Brent Olson, Professor of Old Testament.

Spring '22
Required FLS textbook for Historical Books course taught by Dr. Brent Olson, Professor of Old Testament.

Spring '21
Required FLS textbook for Historical Books course taught by Dr. Brent Olson, Professor of Old Testament.

Spring '20
Required FLS textbook for Historical Books course taught by Dr. Brent Olson, Professor of Old Testament.

Spring '19
Required FLS textbook for Historical Books course taught by Dr. Brent Olson, Professor of Old Testament.