“I enthusiastically recommend Jeffery Leonard’s Creation Rediscovered to scholars, clergy, and thoughtful laypeople. This beautifully written and profound reflection on the creation stories of the Bible takes us to their important backstory and to Jesus, with important implications for our lives today.”
—Tremper Longman III, Distinguished Scholar and Professor Emeritus of Biblical Studies, Westmont College
“Since the rediscovery of the ancient Near East, students and scholars of the biblical world have noted copious connections between the texts preserved in scripture and those from surrounding cultures. In a clear and conversational tone, Leonard demonstrates that the latter do not merely inform our understanding of the Old Testament, they provide the literary backstory necessary for fully appreciating the profound nature of the biblical creation story. Creation Rediscovered not only acquaints its readers with the fascinating thought world behind Genesis, it also informs and models a faithful approach to reading the Old Testament. As such, this volume makes for an ideal supplementary textbook for introductory courses on the Hebrew Bible or hermeneutics.”
—Kyle R. Greenwood, author of Scripture and Cosmology: Reading the Bible between the Ancient World and Modern Science and editor of Since the Beginning: Interpreting Genesis 1–2 through the Ages
“Creation Rediscovered is an uncommonly sophisticated book. It is at once a work written for a popular audience and a substantial scholarly contribution. Availing itself of the full range of ancient Near Eastern evidence and informed by the best critical scholarship, it is filled with detailed analyses that shed new light on the meanings of the biblical texts explored. Its lucid explanations demonstrate well that these texts were full participants in the thought world from which they emerged. The book also shows that, though the ancient creation accounts are sometimes strange, they need not be judged obtuse or outmoded. Through deft analogies to the modern world, Jeffery Leonard expertly guides the reader to deeper understandings of the biblical texts and their enduring significance for Christian thought and practice. The synthesis Leonard has produced is a remarkable accomplishment—erudite and eminently readable.”
—Jeffrey Stackert, Associate Professor of Hebrew Bible, The University of Chicago
“Another book on the Bible, creation, and science? Yes, and a very good one—and one that covers much more besides. On every page, Jeffery Leonard displays deep learning and a deft pen, thorough control of the biblical and ancient Near Eastern material (not to mention pop culture), and pedagogical genius as he covers a veritable A-to-Z on creation in Genesis 1 and beyond (and behind and before): from Arcturus and astrophysics to Baal and Baruch, Copernicus and Calvin, on through to Galileo and genre, Marduk and Michelangelo along with the New Testament and Paul, Toy Story and tiqqun, Ugarit and Mr. Zuss, to name a few. The result is no mean feat: with Leonard as our guide we really do find new meaning in an ancient story. Rediscovered indeed!”
—Brent A. Strawn, Professor of Old Testament and Professor of Law, Duke University
