The stories in the Bible are not history-at least not in the modern sense. They are however important vehicles for theology and it was through the medium of the story that the biblical writers articulated their religious beliefs. In our own lives stories are our first teachers, and stories continue to fascinate, educate, and influence us in our adult years as well.

New Light from Old Stories provides Catholic readers with a clear understanding of the value and relevance of Old Testament narratives. It groups representative samples of these stories in six chapters: Beginnings, Moses and the Exodus, Brothers, Kings, and Prophets. The author’s goal is to show how these old stories shed light on the values, concerns, challenges, and ideals of Christians today. Readers will see models that show how they can find light and life in these Old Testament stories.

Leslie Hoppe has written a work focuses on the theology of the Old Testament, but not from the perspective of ancient Israel and early Judaism. Rather, he attempts to show how the theological values underscored in stories from the Old Testament remain relevant for Christian, and particularly Roman Catholic, life today.

New Light From Old Stories will make an excellent secondary text in college-level and seminary-level courses on biblical narratives, hermeneutics, the Old Testament for preaching, and Old Testament theology-particularly in a Roman Catholic setting. It will aid instructors in making clear the pastoral, practical implications of what their students are studying. It will also make a useful resource in parish (adult) Bible studies. It offers models of how Catholic can appropriate the Old Testament in today’s ecclesial and cultural context.