John Currid

John D. Currid is a professor of Old Testament at Reformed Theological Seminary in Charlotte, North Carolina, and an ordained minister in the Presbyterian Church in America. He holds a Ph.D. in archaeology from the Oriental Institute at the University of Chicago. Currid is known for his extensive work in biblical archaeology and has participated in archaeological excavations at various sites in Israel, including Tel Halif and Bethsaida. His research focuses on connecting archaeological findings with biblical texts, particularly examining the relationship between ancient Near Eastern cultures and the Old Testament. He has authored numerous scholarly books including "Ancient Egypt and the Old Testament," "Against the Gods: The Polemical Theology of the Old Testament," and several biblical commentaries in the EP Study Commentary series. His writing style combines academic rigor with accessibility for both scholars and general readers interested in biblical archaeology. Currid's contributions to the field include detailed analyses of how biblical narratives interact with and respond to surrounding ancient Near Eastern cultures and mythologies. He has also written extensively on the historical reliability of the Old Testament and the archaeological evidence that relates to biblical accounts.

Readers consistently note Currid's academic rigor while keeping biblical archaeology accessible to non-scholars. His commentary series and books on ancient Egypt draw particular attention from seminary students and pastors. Readers appreciate: - Clear explanations of archaeological evidence - Comparisons between biblical accounts and ancient Near Eastern texts - Conservative theological perspective while engaging with scholarly debate - Thorough citations and references Common criticisms: - Some find his writing style dry and repetitive - Occasional overreach in connecting archaeological findings to biblical texts - Limited engagement with opposing viewpoints Ratings across platforms: Goodreads: Average 4.2/5 across all works Amazon: 4.5/5 average - Against the Gods: 4.7/5 (89 reviews) - Ancient Egypt and the Old Testament: 4.6/5 (42 reviews) - Genesis Commentary: 4.4/5 (67 reviews) Reader quote: "Currid strikes the right balance between scholarly depth and readability for the motivated layperson." - Amazon reviewer

Against the Gods: The Polemical Theology of the Old Testament Examines how the Old Testament directly confronts and refutes the religious beliefs of ancient Near Eastern cultures.

Ancient Egypt and the Old Testament Analyzes the historical connections and parallels between ancient Egyptian culture and the Old Testament.

Genesis Volume 1: Genesis 1:1-25:18 A verse-by-verse commentary covering the first half of Genesis, incorporating archaeological and historical context.

Genesis Volume 2: Genesis 25:19-50:26 A verse-by-verse commentary covering the second half of Genesis, incorporating archaeological and historical context.

Leviticus A detailed commentary on the book of Leviticus examining its laws, rituals, and theological significance.

Numbers A commentary exploring the fourth book of the Pentateuch with emphasis on its historical and theological content.

Deuteronomy An analysis of the final book of the Pentateuch focusing on its legal codes and theological themes.

How to Read and Understand the Biblical Prophets Provides methods for interpreting prophetic literature in the Bible through examination of writing styles and historical context.

A Study Commentary on Exodus Volume 1: Chapters 1-18 A detailed examination of the first half of Exodus focusing on Israel's deliverance from Egypt.

A Study Commentary on Exodus Volume 2: Chapters 19-40 An analysis of the second half of Exodus covering the giving of the law and construction of the tabernacle.