This book, a tribute to a friend and colleague, Fr. Lawrence Boadt, contains twelve essays by leading biblical scholars that address various questions contemporary lay audiences have about the Old Testament. The book covers the major genre of the Old Testament (narrative, law, prophecy, poetry, and proverbs), as well as foundational issues encountered in serious engagement with the Bible (translations, the nature of God, the contributions of historical background to the Bible). Each essay is followed by questions that can be used as both personal reflection and in group settings, such as the parish or the classroom. There are also bibliographies for those wanting to do further study. The book can be used on its own, as the basis for a multi-week or yearlong Bible study, or in the classroom as a supplement to Boadt’s introductory textbook. Contributors: Corrine L. Carvalho, University of St. Thomas, St. Paul, MN Christopher Frechette, SJ, Boston College, Boston, MA Leslie J. Hoppe, OFM, Catholic Theological Union, Chicago, IL Dale Launderville, OSB, St. John’s University, Collegeville, MN Thomas P. McCreesh, OP, Providence College, Providence, RI John L. McLaughlin, University of St. Michael's College, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada Irene Nowell, OSB Mount St. Scholastica, Atchison, Kansas Kathleen M. O’Connor, Columbia Theological Seminar, Atlanta, GA (retired) Gregory J. Polan, OSB, Conception Seminary College, Conception, MO Roberta Salvador, MM, Maryknoll Sisters, Maryknoll, NY Mark S. Smith, New York University, New York, NY Gale A. Yee, Episcopal Divinity School, Cambridge, MA. †