Book excerpt: "The Bible is utterly unique. Compiled by different authors over the span of more than a thousand years, it offers a mix of myth, poetry, biography, history, and other literary genres, all with the purpose of providing insights on incredibly diverse topic and themes. For centuries the Bible has influenced and shaped understandings of the world or Christians and non-Christians alike - often without our even knowing it! In 'Reading the Old Testament Anew,' John Kaltner presents an accessible overview of contemporary biblical scholarship as it relates to timely themes for today's classroom. Chief among these are creation covenant, liberation, the human condition, the marginalized "other," and social justice. Chapter by chapter, these six themes are unpacked through careful observation and scholarly insight, followed by questions for discussion and reflection. Using real-world connections, pertinent artwork, informative and thought-provoking sidebars, and a robust bibliography, 'Reading the Old Testament Anew' is the perfect guide for exploring the ancient context and modern relevance of the Bible as it relates to some of today's most pressing themes" -- Publisher description.