In Covenant Documents: Reading the Bible Again for the First Time, Wayne Brouwer helps us peek behind the familiar pages of the Bible to find historical, literary, and contextual information that bring new vibrancy to old words. His premise is that the internal testimony of the Bible’s earliest books assumes a structured, formative event between Israel and its God, known as the Sinai Covenant. Brouwer shows how the various later biblical writings fit into patterns of ancient covenant documents and their historical supplements. Covenant Documents shimmers with fascinating history and literary analysis, providing helpful background, structure, and cultural dynamics that enliven the reading and rereading of the most famous book in the world.

Part introduction, part overview, part handbook, Covenant Documents serves as a great textbook for introductory courses in biblical literature and Christian doctrine. It also functions as a sourcebook for pastors and teachers, and especially as a guide for Bible study groups.