Watch A History of the Bible: The Old Testament: Early Writings

A History of the Bible: The Old Testament: Early Writings is a documentary film that explores the origins and development of the first section of the Christian Bible, the Old Testament. In this film, viewers are taken on a historical journey through the texts of the Old Testament, from their earliest origins to the final canonization of the texts.

The film features interviews with scholars and experts in the field of Old Testament studies, who offer insights into the textual, historical, and cultural context of the early writings of the Bible. Among the experts featured in the film are Dr. Mark Goodacre, Dr. Paula Gooder, and Dr. Tom Wright, all of whom are noted scholars in the fields of Biblical Studies and Theology.

The film starts by exploring the earliest texts of the Old Testament, including the books of Genesis, Exodus, and Deuteronomy, which are thought to have been written as early as the 6th century BCE. Viewers are given insight into the origins of these texts and the social and cultural context in which they were written.

As the film progresses, viewers are taken through the various collections of texts that make up the Old Testament, including the Wisdom Books, the Prophets, and the Historical Books. The experts in the film offer analysis and interpretation of these texts, shedding light on the theological and historical significance of each section.

The film also explores the process of canonization, in which particular texts were chosen and compiled together to form the final version of the Old Testament as we know it today. Viewers are given insight into the debates and discussions surrounding this process and the criteria used to determine which texts would be included in the canon.

Throughout the film, viewers are given glimpses into the lives and cultures of the people who wrote and read these texts, including the ancient Israelites, the Babylonians, and the Greeks. The experts in the film offer analysis and interpretation of the cultural influences that shaped these texts and the theological and historical significance of the Old Testament as a whole.

Overall, A History of the Bible: The Old Testament: Early Writings provides an in-depth and engaging look at the origins and development of the first section of the Christian Bible. Through expert analysis and interpretation, viewers are given insight into the textual, historical, and cultural context of the Old Testament and the theological and historical significance of this important collection of writings.