{"product_id":"ancient-scripture-beyond-the-bible-volume-2-israel-reimagines-scripture-paperback","title":"Ancient Scripture Beyond the Bible, Volume 2: Israel Reimagines Scripture - Paperback","description":"\u003cp\u003eby \u003cb\u003eTaylor Halverson\u003c\/b\u003e (Author)\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eWhat happens when a people lose everything they thought made them God's people?\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe temple is gone. Jerusalem lies in ruins. Foreign armies rule the land. The promises of God seem distant. The covenant people ask questions that still echo today: Where is God when life falls apart? How do believers hold on to faith after disappointment, tragedy, and loss? Can hope survive when the evidence seems to point in the opposite direction? \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eFor centuries before and after the time of Christ, Jewish writers wrestled with these questions through some of the most profound religious literature ever written. They retold scripture, mourned catastrophe, defended their faith, reimagined covenant identity, and searched for hope in a broken world. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eIn \u003ci\u003eAncient Scripture Beyond the Bible, Volume 2: Israel Reimagines Scripture\u003c\/i\u003e, Taylor Halverson, Ph.D., introduces readers to sixteen remarkable texts from the world of Second Temple Judaism and early Christianity. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eJourney through works such as \u003ci\u003eJubilees\u003c\/i\u003e, \u003ci\u003e4 Ezra\u003c\/i\u003e, \u003ci\u003e2 Baruch\u003c\/i\u003e, \u003ci\u003eJoseph and Aseneth\u003c\/i\u003e, \u003ci\u003ePsalms of Solomon\u003c\/i\u003e, \u003ci\u003eOdes of Solomon\u003c\/i\u003e, \u003ci\u003ePrayer of Manasseh\u003c\/i\u003e, \u003ci\u003eLetter of Aristeas\u003c\/i\u003e, \u003ci\u003e3 and 4 Maccabees\u003c\/i\u003e, \u003ci\u003eAscension of Isaiah\u003c\/i\u003e, and many others that shaped how ancient Jews and early Christians understood covenant, scripture, suffering, identity, and redemption. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eDiscover: \u003cbr\u003e- Why ancient Jews rewrote biblical stories and what those retellings reveal about scripture\u003cbr\u003e- How communities responded to the destruction of Jerusalem and the loss of the Temple\u003cbr\u003e- The origins of many ideas that illuminate the New Testament\u003cbr\u003e- Ancient Jewish expectations about the Messiah, resurrection, angels, judgment, and God's kingdom\u003cbr\u003e- How faith survives political collapse, persecution, exile, and disappointment\u003cbr\u003e- Why texts such as \u003ci\u003e4 Ezra\u003c\/i\u003e and \u003ci\u003e2 Baruch\u003c\/i\u003e help readers better understand Paul, Romans, and early Christianity\u003cbr\u003e- Meaningful connections between these ancient writings and Restoration scripture\u003cbr\u003e- A practical framework for distinguishing genuine theological correspondences from superficial parallels \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eDrawing upon biblical scholarship, ancient history, theology, Second Temple Judaism, and Latter-day Saint perspectives, each chapter provides historical background, literary analysis, major themes, biblical connections, Restoration resonances, cautions, and practical insights for modern readers. Volume 1 explored the heavenly visions, patriarchs, and ancient worlds before Christ. Volume 2 stays closer to earth. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eHere readers encounter communities struggling to preserve faith, identity, and covenant in the face of suffering and uncertainty. Their questions are ancient. Their questions are also our own. Discover how Israel reimagined scripture, mourned catastrophe, and learned to hope again.\n            \u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eNumber of Pages:\u003c\/strong\u003e 324\u003c\/div\u003e\n            \u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDimensions:\u003c\/strong\u003e 0.73 x 9 x 6 IN\u003c\/div\u003e\n            \u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePublication Date:\u003c\/strong\u003e June 21, 2026\u003c\/div\u003e\n            ","brand":"BooksCloud","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":67869752164510,"sku":"9798950649196","price":47.48,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7748\/8030\/files\/CQHCibSUec9798950649196.webp?v=1793314654","url":"https:\/\/theword.com\/products\/ancient-scripture-beyond-the-bible-volume-2-israel-reimagines-scripture-paperback","provider":"TheWord.com","version":"1.0","type":"link"}