ST. LOUIS—The Old Testament is challenging for many readers to understand. In their new book, Wrestling with God: Understanding Difficult Old Testament Passages, coauthors R. Reed Lessing and Andrew E. Steinmann guide readers through the Old Testament to understand some of these often difficult and overlooked passages. Their conversational yet academic writing style makes learning about the Old Testament accessible to readers at all points of their Bible reading journey. The book is available to order on the Concordia Publishing House website on January 13, 2026.

“God’s revelation in the OT [Old Testament] makes up 75 percent of the Bible,” Steinmann and Lessing write in the Preface. “To avoid three-fourths of what God says severely hampers our Christian life and witness. Reading only the NT [New Testament], along with pieces and snippets of the OT, would stymie our understanding of our Savior. It’s time to embrace the OT, learn from it, treasure it—yes, even love it.”

Discussion questions at the end of each chapter invite readers to think more in-depth about what they just read and to record their answers. To stretch their understanding, a list of resources for further reading is also included at the back of the book.

“With clarity and conviction, Lessing and Steinmann offer us a delightful guide into the murkier parts of the Old Testament,” says Rev. Dr. Geoffrey R. Boyle, assistant professor of pastoral ministry and missions at Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne. “Under the guise of addressing difficult passages, they sneak in a ton of biblical theology—teaching us who God is for us as our Creator, Redeemer, and Sanctifier—all through the prophetic witness of the Old Testament.”

Visit cph.org/oldtestament for more information about the book. Contact Erica Sontag to schedule an interview with the authors.

Praise for Wrestling with God

“In Wrestling with God, Lessing and Steinmann engage some of the Old Testament’s most challenging questions. They masterfully employ Scripture to interpret Scripture, illuminating difficult passages with theological depth and pastoral insight. With clarity and sober judgment, they sift through biblical evidence and draw faithful and relevant conclusions.”

—Paul Elliott, professor of theology, Concordia University Irvine

“Being separated from the Old Testament by time, geography, culture, and language makes understanding it a challenge. These Old Testament scholars engage perennial questions about the Old Testament by carefully examining biblical texts within their original settings, but also self-consciously as Christians. Whatever one’s opinions on the authors’ stances, they are to be commended for helping us read the Old Testament more closely and faithfully.”

—M. Daniel Carroll R. (Rodas), PhD, Scripture Press Ministries Chair of Biblical Studies and Pedagogy, Wheaton College

“Readers of the Old Testament are well aware that it contains many puzzling and even disturbing passages. In this volume, Lessing and Steinmann, two seasoned interpreters of the Old Testament, join forces to ‘wrestle with’ some of the most difficult passages. Their thoughtful and reasonable responses to tough questions, including those posed by the violence depicted in the Old Testament and by its portrait of an angry and vengeful God, deserve careful consideration.”

—Robert B. Chisholm Jr., chair and senior professor of Old Testament studies, Dallas Theological Seminary

“For most Christians, outside of a few familiar places, the Old Testament is a strange, intimidating land into which they dare not venture. Lessing and Steinmann serve as guides to this strange land that makes up three-quarters of the Bible. Their magnificent comprehensive treatment addresses every major misconception of the Old Testament in a way that is easy to understand. Even more helpful are the discussion questions at the end of each chapter, which allow the reader to deepen his or her understanding of the Old Testament and develop a fuller appreciation for God’s Word.”

—Rev. Dr. Ryan M. Tietz, associate professor of exegetical theology, Old Testament, Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne

“Lessing and Steinmann draw on their decades of teaching and writing on the Old Testament to address the most pressing questions the church asks when reading the Old Testament. Whether readers agree with all of their conclusions or not, Wrestling with God is an accessible guide that will force readers to wrestle with God in specific Old Testament texts and the entire Bible for the good of the church.”

—Andrew Abernethy, professor of Old Testament, assistant dean, director of the MA in biblical exegesis program, Wheaton College

“Wrestling with God clearly comes from pastors who love teaching Bible studies. Rather than dodging the hard questions, this book takes them head-on! With clarity and conviction, Lessing and Steinmann offer us a delightful guide into the murkier parts of the Old Testament. Under the guise of addressing difficult passages, they sneak in a ton of biblical theology—teaching us who God is for us as our Creator, Redeemer, and Sanctifier—all through the prophetic witness of the Old Testament.”

—Rev. Dr. Geoffrey R. Boyle, assistant professor of pastoral ministry and missions, Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne

About the Authors

Dr. Andrew Steinmann taught at Concordia University Chicago as a distinguished professor of theology and Hebrew from 2000 until his retirement in July 2023. At Concordia, he taught a wide variety of classes, including Hebrew I and II, Hebrew Readings, Readings in Hebrew, and Introduction to the Old Testament. His research interests are focused on Hebrew and Aramaic languages, apocalyptic literature, wisdom literature, and biblical chronology. Throughout his career, Dr. Steinmann has written over fifty articles and book reviews published in national and international journals. He serves as a regular guest on numerous radio programs. Dr. Steinmann holds the following degrees: PhD, Near Eastern Studies, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor; MDiv, Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne, Indiana; BSChE, chemical engineering, University of Cincinnati, Ohio. Dr. Steinmann is married to Rebecca.

Dr. R. Reed Lessing serves as the Edwin F. and Esther L. Laatsch Chair of Old Testament Studies at Concordia University in St. Paul, Minnesota. He directs the university’s Center for Biblical Studies, as well as its pre-seminary program. Dr. Lessing also serves as associate pastor at Cross View Lutheran Church in Edina, Minnesota. He has authored six commentaries in the Concordia Commentary series and books on Exodus, Numbers, and Jeremiah for a broader audience. He has coauthored three books that address Old Testament themes and teachings with Dr. Andrew Steinmann. Dr. Lessing has three children and four grandchildren.