The Lost World of the Torah

Law as Covenant and Wisdom in Ancient Context

De: John H. Walton, J. Harvey Walton

Narrado por: Tom Parks

Our handling of what we call biblical law veers between controversy and neglect. On the one hand, controversy arises when Old Testament laws seem either odd beyond comprehension (not eating lobster) or positively reprehensible (executing children). On the other, neglect results when we consider the law obsolete, no longer carrying any normative power. Even those who do attempt to make use of the Old Testament "law" often find it either irrelevant, hopelessly laden with "thou shalt nots," or simply confusing. Despite these extremes, people continue to propose moral principles from these laws as "the biblical view" and to garner proof texts to resolve issues that arise in society. The result is that both Christians and skeptics regularly abuse the Torah, and its true message often lies unheard.

Walton and Walton offer in The Lost World of the Torah a restorative vision of the ancient genre of instruction for wisdom that makes up a significant portion of the Old Testament. In the ancient Near East, order was achieved through the wisdom of those who governed society. The objective of torah was to teach the Israelites to be wise about the kind of order needed to receive the blessings of God's favor and presence within the context of the covenant. Here listeners will find fresh insight on this fundamental genre of the Old Testament canon.

©2019 John H. Walton, J. Harvey Walton (P)2021 eChristian

Amazing intellectual study

While I am still having to wade through all the propositions, this book will challenge a ton of ones presuppositions. Very thorough.

Agree to disagree

I don’t agree that the Torah was just words of wisdom. That makes the Ten Commandments the Ten Suggestions. I realize I’m not a Torah expert, but by saying it wasn’t written for us (we are not Old Testament Jews) and has no direct application, makes it a mere set of suggestions.

A must read/listen for students of the OT

I was introduced to John Walton and his works by Tin Mackie and Jon Collins (from the Bible Project) and by Mike Heiser (from Naked Bible, Unseen Realm, AWOT). I’m so glad I picked up this book. The work of ANE scholars has opened up a deeper understanding of the Bible through culture and context which John Walton has culled into bite sized morsels that we mere mortals can understand. I definitely need to re-listen to this book since so much of it was new or expansive.