The method of tradition history has broadened our awareness of the dynamic process by which the Old Testament came into being. Walter Rast offers a clear presentation of the basic principles and techniques of this study, comparing it with other approaches such as textual or source criticism. He explains that tradition history traces the formation and transmission of the biblical message in the world of the Old Testament. In addition, tradition historians attempt to understand the motives and forces-often political or social-which were instrumental in producing this literature.
The main part of this book is devoted to a detailed study of the Jacob story in Genesis, and of sections from Second Isaiah. In these chapters the reader can follow step-by-step the tradition history process while developing his own responses to the biblical texts. Rast demonstrates that tradition history brings to light basic religious and historical issues within the Old Testament which must be faced in our own time.