The Consuming Fire: A Christian Guide to the Old Testament

"When we read the Hebrew Bible, we listen to a conversation that lasted more than a millennium.... The biblical conversation centers on essential themes of God's revelation and the community's response.... Each book -- sometimes each part of a book -- has its own voice. Just as a good listener respects the uniqueness of each speaker, so the good reader of the Bible discerns the unique contribution of each book or portion thereof." -- From the Introduction

Join the conversation in this newly updated book from a Scripture scholar who deals with the Bible's complexities in clear, readable prose. The Consuming Fire will equip you to become an informed reader of the Bible, able to discern the unique contribution of each of the Old Testament's books to the dialogue.

• Each chapter opens with thoughtful reflections on issues of faith and life.
• A six-step analysis gives you immediate and guided access to the biblical text.
• Informative charts, maps, and bibliographies will enrich your learning experience.

Michael Duggan has thoroughly revised this edition of The Consuming Fire, rewriting many chapters to reflect the best in contemporary scholarship, the direction of current Vatican documents, and respect for the Jewish heritage of the Bible. Each chapter includes a "Meditative Reading," a feature that provides selected texts and questions to aid readers in prayerful reflection.

"The Consuming Fire, by Michael W. Duggan, is an excellent overview of the Old Testament, emphasizing particularly the theological message of each book and providing a forward look to the New Testament at the end of each section." -- George T. Montague, S.M., Professor of Theology, St. Mary's University, San Antonio, Texas

Michael Duggan is Associate Professor of Theology and Religious Studies and the inaugural holder of the CWL Chair for Catholic Studies at St. Mary's University College in Calgary, Alberta. He holds a Baccalaureate in Sacred Theology from the Pontifical Gregorian University, a Licentiate in Sacred Scripture from the Pontifical Biblical Institute, and a Ph.D. in Biblical Studies from the Catholic University of America. He is an associate editor of The Catholic Biblical Quarterly and a member of the Society of Biblical Literature, the Canadian Society of Biblical Studies, and the Society for Old Testament Study.