Dr. Donald Haynes, United Methodist minister and adjunct professor of United Methodist studies at Hood Theological Seminary, has published a new book, “Reading the Bible Again and Seeing It for The First Time – Volume I.”

Haynes will be at Hood Seminary this Saturday, April 22, to speak in chapel at 10:10 a.m., followed by book signings in the library at 11:15 and the Aymer Center during community lunch at 1 p.m. The public is welcome to attend this free event on the campus at 1810 Lutheran Synod Drive.

Haynes has served at Hood for 17 years. His new 722-page book on the Old Testament is not “about” the Bible but is a companion to biblical study for laity and clergy. A unique feature of the book is the interweaving of the prophets’ writings with the time in history that they ministered. For instance, Amos is placed in the reign of King Jeroboam II, Ezekiel is placed in the Exile, Ezra and Nehemiah are moved to their post exilic timeframe, etc.

Part I is an introduction to the Bible, the history of translations and the role of Biblical criticism. Part II is on the Pentateuch and Part III is the interweaving of kings and prophets and the Persian and Greek eras where there were no kings. Part IV is on the “Writings”— Psalms, Proverbs, Job, Ecclesiastes, Song of Songs, Lamentations, Jonah, Ruth, Esther and Daniel.

Each book of the Old Testament has these features: Introduction, History and Setting, “Looking at the Text” where most chapters have some commentary; “Eternal Truths,” and “Golden Nuggets.” The latter are the verses worthy of memorization.

Hood Theological Seminary is a graduate and professional school sponsored by the AME Zion Church and approved by the University Senate of The United Methodist Church. Its student body is composed of people from many different denominations. As a theological seminary, it provides for the church an educational community in which Christian maturity and ministerial preparation take place together.