Dell confronts the 'New Atheists' head-on, demonstrating how their reading of the Old Testament ignores its cultural context and misrepresents its account of God, the world, and humankind. With equal rigour, she examines the conflicted intersection between Church and Academy, where scholarly skepticism seeds a growing clerical reluctance to preach and teach the Old Testament. . . With the skill of a scholar and the passion of one committed to the work of the church in the modern world, Dell demonstrates why and how the Old Testament offers a rich and realistic account of life in all its messiness. As she puts it, the Old Testament 'can be our friend, even if a challenging one at the end of the day'. * Samuel E. Balentine, Professor of Old Testament, Union Presbyterian Seminary, Richmond, Virginia * a 'thoughtful and compelling response' to the writings of Richard Dawkins and Christopher Hitchins. * The Door * Dell is not afraid to admit issues that appear morally questionable, and eschews simple answers, but relishes the power of Hebrew storytelling * Church Times * one can almost feel the pages shudder with impact * Premier Christianity *