What books belong to the Old Testament? How did the early Church understand the biblical canon? How did the Fathers read the Law, the Prophets, and the Wisdom literature in the light of Christ?

In this remarkable patristic work, traditionally attributed to Saint Athanasius the Great, the fearless defender of Nicene Orthodoxy and one of Christianity's most influential theologians, readers are guided through the entirety of the Old Testament as it was received in the ancient Church.

Book by book, Athanasius presents a concise yet rich survey of Scripture: from the creation of the world in Genesis to the visions of Daniel; from the Exodus and the giving of the Law to the reigns of Israel's kings; from the wisdom of Solomon to the voices of the prophets announcing the coming Messiah.

More than a simple biblical handbook, this text opens a window into the spiritual and theological world of the early Christians. Readers will discover: