Part 1: The Old Testament as a Dying Language
The Diagnosis, in Brief, with a Caveat
The Old Testament Is (Like) a Language
Plan of the Book and Two Additional Caveats
The U.S. Religious Knowledge Survey
The Psalms in Mainline Hymnody
The Revised Common Lectionary (and the Psalms)
3. On Language Growth and Change, Contact and Death
Language Change and Language Contact
Pidgins and Creoles, Pidginization and Creolization
Dawkins and the New Atheists on the Old Testament
Von Harnack pro Marcion, or the New Marcion(ism)
Contra von Harnack, or the Deadly Ramifications
6. New Plastic Gospels: The “Happiologists”
The Bible and Your Best Everything Right Now!
Assessing Osteen “and Company”
Learning First, New, and Very Old Languages
Bilingualism and Code-Switching
Deuteronomy as a Model of/for Second-Language Acquisition (SLA)
The Most Basic (and Obvious) Recommendation: Regular Use
The Need for Adequate Linguistic Training
Intentionality in Language Practice and Language Learning
The Challenge of Future Change
Music, Memory, Poetry . . . and Children (Again)
Appendix 4: Size of Testaments
Appendix 5: Sermon Data from Walter Brueggemann
Appendix 6: Old Testament Texts Used by Walter Brueggemann