A Beginner's Guide to the Books of the Bible

Before starting to read one of the 66 books in the Bible, it is helpful to have an overview of the book. A Beginner's Guide to the Books of the Bible provides accurate, concise, and easy-to-understand introductions to each of the 39 books of the Old Testament and 27 books of the New Testament. Each description discusses the book's purpose, approximate date of composition, authorship, contents, and distinctive features. Also included are introductions to larger sections of the Bible, such as the major and minor prophets.

Diane Jacobson is director of the Book of Faith Initiative for the ELCA. She is professor emeritus of Old Testament at Luther Seminary in Saint Paul, Minnesota, where she taught 1982-2010. She co-authored Opening the Book of Faith:

Lutheran Insights for Bible Study (2008) and served on the consulting board and as a contributor to Lutheran Study Bible (2009). She is, first and foremost, a lover of

Scripture. "I'm in love with this Book,"; she says. "My calling is to teach Scripture for the sake of God"s world, and to invite others into the wonders and rewards of exploring the Bible together.";

Robert Kysarwas Bandy Professor of Preaching and New Testament Emeritus at Candler School of Theology, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, and an ordained ELCA pastor. He was a renowned Johannine scholar and the author of: John: The Maverick Gospel (rev. ed., 1993), A Beginner's Guide to the Books of the Bible (Augsburg, 1991), Called to Care: Biblical Images for Social Ministry (Fortress Press, 1991), I, II, III John (ACNT; Augsburg, 1986), John (ACNT; Augsburg, 1986), and The Fourth Evangelist and His Gospel (Augsburg, 1975). He also contributed three times to the Proclamation series.