The Abingdon Old Testament Commentaries provide compact, critical commentaries on the books of the Old Testament for the use of theological students and pastors. The commentaries are also useful for upper-level college or university students and for those responsible for teaching in congregational settings. In addition to providing basic information and insights into the Old Testament writings, these commentaries exemplify the tasks and procedures of careful interpretation to assist students of the Old Testament in coming to an informed and critical engagement with the biblical texts themselves.

The prophetic books gathered together in the book of the Twelve are sometimes called the "minor" prophets because of their relatively small size when compared with Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Ezekiel. They are often neglected, at least partly because their words of judgment make the reader uncomfortable. Yet they have considerable theological and ethical value--for their call for social justice (especially Amos and Micah), their insights about the passionate love of God (in Hosea), God's grace and forgiveness (Jonah, Hosea, and elsewhere), and the finality of hope, even in the face of terrible catastrophes.

Daniel Simundson shows how the Bible can speak to the universal human experience of suffering. He examines various biblical responses to suffering and explains what the New Testament can add to the thought of such classic works as the books of Job, Ecclesiastes, and the prophets.
This book, written for the general reader, is also full of wisdom for caregivers, including clergy, counselors, and laypersons.
Contents:
1. The Basic Biblical View of Suffering
2. The Power of Negative Thinking
3. Suffering for Others
4. God, Job, and the Counselors
5. Is There Any Hope?
6. What Is New in the New Testament?
7. Comfort and Hope
"Professor Simundson suggests fresh ways for the resources of the Bible and demands of human life to meet each other. Faith Under Fire will be useful to Christians who in times of crisis wonder why and in times of well-being want to reflect on the meaning of life and faith."
-- Walter Brueggemann
"This readable and wide-ranging introduction to an important subject will be of great value to Christian laypeople, students, and clergy who are interested in one of the deep mysteries of faith."
-- David M. Gunn
This book was originally published by Augsburg in 1980.
Daniel J. Simundson is Professor of Old Testament at Luther Seminary in St. Paul, Minnesota. He received his B.D. degree from Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago and his Ph.D. degree from Harvard University, where he was also a teaching fellow. Throughout his career, Simundson has maintained what he considers the equally important roles of pastor and scholar. Among his other books are "The Message of Job" and "Where Is God in My Suffering?"

This one-year Bible survey course provides your confirmation students, especially eighth graders, with a firm biblical foundation. There are l6 lessons on each Testament.