of the evidence which can be found to support it. This is not an
easy goal to attain, for biblical literature has often been pre-
sented from a sectarian point of view and one's prejudices con-
cerning matters of vital importance are not easily set aside.
Further difficulties arise from the nature of the literature itself
and the way in which it has been preserved through the centuries.
Original documents have been supplemented so many times by
the work of editors that one cannot always be sure where each
portion of the text belongs. Then, too, the historical back-
grounds are usually omitted, and they must be supplied if the
reader is to grasp the ideas intended by the original authors.

The author has tried to present in nontechnical language those
conclusions and interpretations concerning which there is general
agreement among the recognized scholars in the field. While
there is always the possibility that new evidence will come to light
which will alter positions previously held, we have enough in-
formation and knowledge at the present time to enable us to go a
long way toward the understanding of this important source of
our modern culture.

While this book has been written primarily for students of
philosophy and religion, the author hopes that it will be of value
to those engaged in religious education and activities and to
thoughtful laymen seeking an informative guide to the signifi-
cant ideas expressed in the Old Testament.

The Bible quotations in this book are from the Revised
Standard Version of the Holy Bible, copyrighted 1952 by the
Division of Christian Education, National Council of Churches,
and used by permission.

CHARLES H. PATTERSON

Lincoln, Nebraska
February, 1953

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