Westminster John Knox Press releases three new Bible studies

Studies explore myths about the Old Testament, families in Genesis and women’s stories in the New Testament

by Westminster John Knox Press | Special to Presbyterian News Service

Timothy Eberly via Unsplash

LOUISVILLE — Westminster John Knox Press is excited to announce the publication of three new Bible studies: “Lies My Preacher Told Me: An Honest Look at the Old Testament” by Brent A. Strawn, “The Flawed Family of God: Stories about the Imperfect Families in Genesis” by Carolyn B. Helsel and Song-Mi Suzie Park, and “From Daughters to Disciples: Women’s Stories in the New Testament” by Lynn Japinga. These three new Bible studies offer opportunities for individual and group reflection.

Strawn investigates 10 common “lies” or mistruths about the Old Testament in his concise volume, “Lies My Preacher Told Me.” From misconceptions about God’s personality (the “angry Old Testament God”) to the relevance of the Old Testament today, Strawn demonstrates for readers the importance of the Bible’s first (and largest) Testament. “Strawn’s systematic analysis persuasively defends the Old Testament’s relevance for any Christian in doubt,” says Publishers Weekly.

In “The Flawed Family of God,” Helsel and Park investigate the drama of the families in the book of Genesis. Helsel and Park explore how the issues raised by the families depicted in Genesis — such as married vs. single life, sibling rivalry, infertility, family relocation, and blended families — are startlingly relevant to families of today.

And finally, Japinga explores the stories of the women of the New Testament in “From Daughters to Disciples.” Readers will encounter a wealth of flawed foremothers, from faithful forerunners like Anna and Elizabeth to female disciples like the sisters Mary, Martha, and Mary Magdalene to first-generation followers like Lydia and Dorcas. “From Daughters to Disciples” completes Japinga’s look at all the women of the Bible. The first volume, “From Widows to Warriors,” was published in the fall of 2020.

“Lies My Preacher Told Me,” “The Flawed Family of God,” and “From Daughters to Disciples” are now available from Westminster John Knox Press.

Brent A. Strawn is Professor of Old Testament and Professor of Law at Duke University. He is the author of numerous articles, chapters, and books, including “The Old Testament Is Dying: A Diagnosis and Recommended Treatment” and “The Old Testament: A Concise Introduction.”

Carolyn B. Helsel is Associate Professor in the Blair Monie Distinguished Chair of Homiletics at Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary. She is an editorial board member for Connections: A Lectionary Commentary for Preaching and Worship, as well as the author of “Anxious to Talk about It: Helping White Christians Talk Faithfully about Racism” and “Preaching about Racism: A Guide for Faith Leaders.”

Song-Mi Suzie Park is Associate Professor of Old Testament at Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary. She is an editorial board member for Connections: A Lectionary Commentary for Preaching and Worship, as well as the author of “Hezekiah and the Dialogue of Memory.”

Lynn Japinga is Professor of Religion at Hope College in Holland, Michigan. An ordained minister in the Reformed Church in America (RCA), she has served as a pastor and interim pastor of several RCA congregations. Japinga is the author of several books and articles, including “Feminism and Christianity: An Essential Guide.”