The Bible As History

  the bible as history: A History of the Bible John Barton, 2020-08-04 A literary history of our most influential book of all time, by an Oxford scholar and Anglican priest In our culture, the Bible is monolithic: It is a collection of books that has been unchanged and unchallenged since the earliest days of the Christian church. The idea of the Bible as Holy Scripture, a non-negotiable authority straight from God, has prevailed in Western society for some time. And while it provides a firm foundation for centuries of Christian teaching, it denies the depth, variety, and richness of this fascinating text. In A History of the Bible, John Barton argues that the Bible is not a prescription to a complete, fixed religious system, but rather a product of a long and intriguing process, which has inspired Judaism and Christianity, but still does not describe the whole of either religion. Barton shows how the Bible is indeed an important source of religious insight for Jews and Christians alike, yet argues that it must be read in its historical context--from its beginnings in myth and folklore to its many interpretations throughout the centuries. It is a book full of narratives, laws, proverbs, prophecies, poems, and letters, each with their own character and origin stories. Barton explains how and by whom these disparate pieces were written, how they were canonized (and which ones weren't), and how they were assembled, disseminated, and interpreted around the world--and, importantly, to what effect. Ultimately, A History of the Bible argues that a thorough understanding of the history and context of its writing encourages religious communities to move away from the Bible's literal wording--which is impossible to determine--and focus instead on the broader meanings of scripture.
  the bible as history: The Bible as History Werner Keller, 1995 The Bible As History by Werner Keller, will take you on a breathtaking journey to the heart of Holy Scripture as it pieces together one of the most stunning spiritual puzzles in the history of mankind.
  the bible as history: Bible in World History Christopher D. Hudson, Stephen Leston, 2017 What was happening outside Bible lands during the time of the patriarchs, Jewish kingdoms, the prophets, Jesus' ministry, and the early church? Find out with The Bible in World History. This pocket-sized, fully illustrated reference breaks biblical and early church history into eight major time periods--from Creation to the Tower of Babel through Anno Domini, the years from Jesus' birth to about AD 330--and shows what was happening in other parts of the world during those times. With references to Chinese, Indian, African, and Mayan cultures, among others, The Bible in World History will help you see how history and scripture intersect.
  the bible as history: Rose Book of Bible and Christian History Time Lines Rose Publishing, 2006-01-01 Rose Book of Bible and Christian History Time Lines is one of the top Bible time lines sold through Christian bookstores. It includes 20 feet of time lines in one beautiful hard-bound book! Compare Bible history, world history, and Middle Eastern rulers and empires side by side. Then unfold this giant Bible time line poster and put it up on the wall or down the church hallway. This dramatic timeline is guaranteed to grab people's attention in Bible study and adult Sunday school. This incredible Bible time line not only covers events from Genesis to Revelation, it also covers all of church history, including the expansion of Christianity and the persecution of Christians around the world, as well as the history of Bible translation. The Rose Book of Bible and Christian History Time Lines is printed on heavy chart paper and can be taken out of the book and unfolded out to full length. See the comparison chart below to see why Rose Book of Bible and Christian History Time Lines is one of the best available. 10-Foot-Long Bible Time Line Includes: Hundreds of key people and events from Genesis to RevelationEvents from world history and Middle Eastern history to give you a comparisonDates of kings, prophets, battles, births, and deathsColorful photos and illustrationsLarger print than most time lines 10-Foot-Long Church History Time Line Includes: Beginning with the life of Jesus, all of the major events through modern dayMore than 300 key people and events that all Christians should knowEmphasis on world missions, the expansion of Christianity, and Bible translation in other languagesPacked with colorful photos Sample comparisons of Bible history and world history side by side. This indispensable Bible study tool is a great addition for any church resource library, Christian school, or homeschoolers classroom.
  the bible as history: The Harlot by the Side of the Road Jonathan Kirsch, 2009-09-23 Sex. Violence. Scandal. These are words we rarely associate with the sacred text of the Bible. Yet in this brilliant new book, Jonathan Kirsch shows that the Old Testament is filled with some of the most startling and explicit stories in all of Western literature. These tales of seduction and rape, voyeurism and exhibitionism, intermarriage and illegitimacy, assassination and murder have been suppressed by religious authorities throughout history precisely because they are so shocking. You mean that's in the Bible? is the common reaction of the contemporary reader to the stories that Kirsch retells and explores. In The Harlot by the Side of the Road, Kirsch recounts these suppressed and mistranslated tales in the grand storytelling tradition. Here is the tale of Dinah, the young Israelite daughter raped by a princely suitor. The price for her hand in marriage? The circumcision of every man in his kingdom. Here, too, is the story of Lot's daughters, who, when faced with the possibility that they are the last survivors on earth, must copulate with their drunken father to continue their race. And the story of Tamar, the harlot by the side of the road, who must disguise herself as a prostitute and seduce her father-in-law in order to bear the child who has been promised her. Kirsch places each story within the political and social context of its time, and delves into the latest biblical scholarship to explain why each story was originally censored. He also brings to light when and where each story was first written down, and how it found its way into the Bible. And he shows how these stories have something important to say to contemporary readers who might never pick up a Bible. Kirsch reveals that the Bible's real power lies in its unflinching lessons in human nature. And he illuminates the surprising modernity of the Bible's characters: these were, like us, people delicately balanced between their destructive and generous natures. Certain to excite controversy and ignite intellectual debate, The Harlot by the Side of the Road will undoubtedly be one of the year's most talked-about books.
  the bible as history: An American Bible Paul C. Gutjahr, 1999 An American Bible is an extremely compelling piece of cultural history that succeeds in making rich rather than schematic sense of the major dramas that lay behind the production of over 1,700 different American editions of the Bible in the century after the American Revolution. Gutjahr's book is especially powerful in demonstrating how nineteenth-century efforts to purge the Bible of textual and translational impurities in search of an 'authentic' text led ironically to the emergence of entirely new gospels like the Book of Mormon and the massive fictionalized literature dealing with the life of Christ. --Jay Fliegelman, Stanford University During the first three-quarters of the nineteenth century, American publishing experienced unprecedented, exponential growth. An emerging market economy, widespread religious revival, educational reforms, and innovations in print technology worked together to create a culture increasingly formed and framed by the power of print. At the center of this new culture was the Bible, the book that has been called the best seller in American publishing history. Yet it is important to realize that the Bible in America was not a simple, uniform entity. First printed in the United States during the American Revolution, the Bible underwent many revisions, translations, and changes in format as different editors and publishers appropriated it to meet a wide range of changing ideological and economic demands. This book examines how many different constituencies (both secular and religious) fought to keep the Bible the preeminent text in the United States as the country's print marketplace experienced explosive growth. The author shows how these heated battles had profound consequences for many American cultural practices and forms of printed material. By exploring how publishers, clergymen, politicians, educators, and lay persons met the threat that new printed material posed to the dominance of the Bible by changing both its form and its contents, the author reveals the causes and consequences of mutating God's supposedly immutable Word.
  the bible as history: Rose Book of Bible Charts, Maps, and Time Lines Rose Publishing (Torrance, Calif.), 2015-03-13 The #1 Bible Reference book celebrates its 10th anniversary with this 230-page edition that features more Bible maps, charts and illustrations than the original! This stunning, easy-to-understand reference book still provides the same full-color, reproducible Bible charts and overviews that made the original a favorite--but in an easier-to-use, updated format! This 10th anniversary edition of the Rose Book of Bible Charts, Maps and Time Lines features over 200 Bible Charts, Maps, and Timelines--and includes more pages, 6 extra topics, updated information, and a bonus 24 fold-out on Jesus' Family Tree. Every church library and every home should have a copy of Rose Book of Bible Charts, Maps and Time Lines. This book contains thousands of facts that will enrich your understanding and study of the Bible, and will be a great resource as you teach others about the Word of God. If I could give only two books to a new Christian, one would be the Bible and the other would be this book. --Dr. Ed Hindson, President of World Prophetic Ministry and pastor on the The King is Coming telecast Features more than 200 reproducible Bible charts, maps, and timelines, including: Foldout Posters: Bible Time Line and Jesus' Genealogy Overviews on Popular Old Testament Topics, including the Tabernacle, Ark of the Covenant, Names of God, Feasts & Holidays of the Bible, and much more Overviews on Popular New Testament Topics, including the 12 Disciples, Armor of God, Fruit of the Spirit, and much more Overviews of Jesus' Life and Teachings Bible Overview: Books of the Bible and Key Bible Stories Christian History, including How We Got the Bible and a Christian History Time Line Charts Comparing Christianity to Islam and 20 Other World Religions Overviews on Bible Prophecy, Revelation, and the End Times Bible Maps Bible Illustrations and Diagrams It is awesome! Rose Publishing has produced one of the finest books I have ever seen. Every aspect of the charts, maps and time lines leaps off the page with spectacular color, incredible accuracy and intricate detail. . . . A must for every pastor and teacher who wants to clearly present the truths of the Bible. --Dr. Jerry Falwell, Founder of Liberty University A compendium of charts, time lines, lists and illustrations to accompany study of the Bible. This visually appealing resource provides a wide array of illustrative and textually concise references, beginning with three sets of charts covering the Bible as a whole, the Old Testament and the New Testament. These charts cover such topics as biblical weights and measures, feasts and holidays and the 12 disciples. Most of the charts use a variety of illustrative techniques to convey lessons and provide visual interest. A worthwhile example is 'How We Got the Bible, ' which provides a time line of translation history, comparisons of canons among faiths and portraits of important figures in biblical translation, such as Jerome and John Wycliffe. The book then presents a section of maps, followed by diagrams to conceptualize such structures as Noah's Ark and Solomon's Temple. Finally, a section on Christianity, cults and other religions describes key aspects of history and doctrine for certain Christian sects and other faith traditions. Overall, the authors take a traditionalist, conservative approach. For instance, they list Moses as the author of the Pentateuch (the first five books of the Hebrew Bible) without making mention of claims to the contrary. When comparing various Christian sects and world religions, the emphasis is on doctrine and orthodox theology. Some chapters, however, may not completely align with the needs of Catholic and Orthodox churches. But the author's leanings are muted enough and do not detract from the work's usefulness. As a resource, it's well organized, inviting and visually stimulating. Even the most seasoned reader will learn something while browsing. Worthwhile reference stuffed with facts and illustrations. --Kirkus Reviews
  the bible as history: The World's Greatest Book Museum of the Bible Books, 2017-09-19 Welcome to the fascinating story of how we got the world's greatest book -- the Bible. It is a captivating story that includes a little bit of everything: adventure and violence, mystery and bravery, and dumb luck or divine intervention -- depending on your point of view. How in the world did we get this book that some people swear by and other people swear at? You don't have to be a skeptic to have a grocery list of questions about the formation of the Bible, such as: Who wrote these documents and when? How were these ancient writings transmitted through the ages? As scribes made copies of copies, didn't they make mistakes that caused the ancient writings to be changed and corrupted? How was it decided which writings would be included in the Bible? What are the Dead Sea Scrolls, and why are archaeological finds like these such a big deal? Devoted people dedicated their lives throughout time to put this unique book into the hands of people worldwide. Retrace the passion and intrigue behind the Bible's creation.
  the bible as history: The Complete Book of When and Where E. Michael Rusten, Sharon O. Rusten, 2005 This popular collection of books not only provides key Bible facts, character profiles, important places in history, and descriptive timelines, but it makes learning enjoyable. The Complete Book of Who's Who provides readers with a complete listing of people in the Bible with descriptions of their lives and accomplishments. The Complete Book of When and Where tells intriguing accounts of 1,001 events in Christian history and their significance. Includes a comprehensive timeline.
  the bible as history: Historical and Chronological Context of the Bible Bruce W. Gore, 2010-10 Take in the full history of the Bible with a detailed account that focuses on its major empires, events and personalities. Written by a religious scholar who has taught at high school, college and adult levels, this historical exploration is organized around the major civilizations and epochs of the ancient world, beginning with Sumer and ending with Rome. Author Bruce W. Gore provides a thorough overview of major empires, such as the Assyrians or Babylonians, as well as more modest civilizations, such as the Phoenicians or Hittites. Learn how Cyrus the Persian, Alexander the Great, Julius Caesar, and others changed the course of Christianity. In the course of historical exploration, this account also examines questions that may have puzzled readers of the Bible in the past: * Who was Sennacherib? * To which Assyrian king did Jonah preach, and did this make any difference in history? * What did the eight night visions of Zechariah mean in light of the rule of Darius the Persian? Study the Bible with an eye on its ancient setting and develop an understanding of its key people, places and civilizations with Historical and Chronological Context of the Bible.
  the bible as history: The Bible is Black History Theron D. Williams, 2020 We live in an age when younger African-American Christians are asking tough questions that previous generations would dare not ask. This generation doesn't hesitate to question the validity of the Scriptures, the efficacy of the church and even the historicity of Jesus. Young people are becoming increasingly curious as to what role, if any, did people of African descent play in biblical history? Or, if the Bible is devoid of Black presence, and is merely a book by Europeans, about Europeans and for Europeans to the exclusion of other races and ethnicities? Dr. Theron D. Williams makes a significant contribution to this conversation by answering the difficult questions this generation fearlessly poses. Dr. Williams uses facts from the Bible, well-respected historians, scientists, and DNA evidence to prove that Black people comprised the biblical Israelite community. He also shares historical images from the ancient catacombs that vividly depict the true likeness of the biblical Israelites. This book does not change the biblical text, but it will change how you understand it.
  the bible as history: Ancient Civilizations and the Bible Diana Waring, 2008-09-01 In this panorama of world history from 4004 BC to AD 29, you will explore creation, the Flood, the Tower of Babel, and the rise of civilizations from Mesopotamia to Rome. You will see God's purposes worked out through His chosen people, Israel, culminating in the birth of the Messiah, Jesus Christ.
  the bible as history: Understanding the Bible as a Scripture in History, Culture, and Religion James W. Watts, 2021-04-27 UNDERSTANDING THE BIBLE AS A SCRIPTURE IN HISTORY, CULTURE, AND RELIGION The Bible is a popular subject of study and research, yet biblical studies gives little attention to the reason for its popularity: its religious role as a scripture. Understanding the Bible as a Scripture in History, Culture, and Religion integrates the history of the religious interpretation and ritual uses of biblical books into a survey of their rhetoric, composition, and theology in their ancient contexts. Emphasizing insights from comparative studies of different religious scriptures, it combines discussion of the Bible’s origins with its cultural history into a coherent understanding of its past and present function as a scripture. A prominent expert on biblical rhetoric and the ritualization of books, James W. Watts describes how Jews and Christians ritualize the Bible by interpreting it, by expressing it in recitations, music, art, and film, and by venerating the physical scroll and book. The first two sections of the book are organized around the Torah and the Gospels—which have been the focus of Jewish and Christian ritualization of scriptures from ancient to modern times—and treat the history of other biblical books in relation to these two central blocks of the Hebrew Bible and New Testament. In addition to analyzing the semantic contents of all the Bible’s books as persuasive rhetoric, Watts describes their ritualization in the iconic and expressive dimensions in the centuries since they began to function as a scripture, as well as in their origins in ancient Judaism and Christianity. The third section on the cultural history and scriptural function of modern bibles concludes by discussing their influence today and the controversies they have fueled about history, science, race, and gender. Innovative and insightful, Understanding the Bible as a Scripture in History, Culture, and Religion is a groundbreaking introduction to the study of the Bible as a scripture, and an ideal textbook for courses in biblical studies and comparative scripture studies.
  the bible as history: The Stones Cry Out Randall Price, 1997 This survey of archaeological discoveries in Bible lands includes testimonies and interviews from leading archaeologists and exciting pictures featuring the latest finds made in the lands of the Bible
  the bible as history: The Making of the Bible Konrad Schmid, Jens Schršter, 2021-10-29 The authoritative new account of the BibleÕs origins, illuminating the 1,600-year tradition that shaped the Christian and Jewish holy books as millions know them today. The Bible as we know it today is best understood as a process, one that begins in the tenth century BCE. In this revelatory account, a world-renowned scholar of Hebrew scripture joins a foremost authority on the New Testament to write a new biography of the Book of Books, reconstructing Jewish and Christian scriptural histories, as well as the underappreciated contest between them, from which the Bible arose. Recent scholarship has overturned popular assumptions about IsraelÕs past, suggesting, for instance, that the five books of the Torah were written not by Moses but during the reign of Josiah centuries later. The sources of the Gospels are also under scrutiny. Konrad Schmid and Jens Schršter reveal the long, transformative journeys of these and other texts en route to inclusion in the holy books. The New Testament, the authors show, did not develop in the wake of an Old Testament set in stone. Rather the two evolved in parallel, in conversation with each other, ensuring a continuing mutual influence of Jewish and Christian traditions. Indeed, Schmid and Schršter argue that Judaism may not have survived had it not been reshaped in competition with early Christianity. A remarkable synthesis of the latest Old and New Testament scholarship, The Making of the Bible is the most comprehensive history yet told of the worldÕs best-known literature, revealing its buried lessons and secrets.
  the bible as history: How We Got the Bible Timothy Paul Jones, 2015-01-01 2016 Christian Book of the Year Award Winner in Bible Reference From Moses to Gutenberg, easily find out how we got the Bible we have today and discover why we can trust it with this highly visual and easy-to-understand handbook on the history of Bible! Dive into the fascinating stories of the people who risked their lives to print and distribute the Word of God (Tyndale, Wycliffe, etc). Perfect for personal or small group use. Have you ever wondered where the Bible came from? Who wrote the books of the Bible and how did they end up together? Perhaps you have been asked by a friend or coworker about books that were cut out of the Bible. Through seven dynamic chapters in How We Got the Bible, expert Dr. Timothy Paul Jones will guide you through all the important questions about the Holy Bible to show you why it can be trusted. Filled with dramatic stories and highly visual charts and illustrations, this exciting Bible History handbook will take you from the earliest clay tablets and papyrus copies to the first bound Bible and the various Bible translations that we use today! Discover the following: Three ways the Bible is unlike any other Holy BookWhat it means when we say that the Bible is inspired and inerrantWhat people did to preserve the text of the Bible over the centuriesHow we know that the Old and New Testament are reliableThe stories behind names like John Wycliffe, William Tyndale, Gutenberg, and King James I4 Key Features of the How We Got the Bible Handbook 1. Get a Simple Overview of the History of the Bible (Covers More Than 3,500 Years) Enjoy having a concise overview of the Bible's entire history at your fingertips. With this book, you can firmly grasp what biblical reliability means in six engaging and easy-to-understand chapters, packed with key events and people to deepen your understanding of the history of the Bible. Includes the following: 2. Provides Solid Proofs for Why You Can Trust the Bible Easily compare today's Bible with the Dead Sea Scrolls and many more early church records from past centuries to see how carefully the texts have been translated and recorded. Enjoy getting a simple explanation of the Bible's reliability with basic apologetics. 3. Packed with Fascinating Stories of Key People and Events History can be a dry and tedious subject--but not with the How We Got the Bible handbook! Easily absorb important facts and information in a fun and easy-to-understand way that will have you not wanting to put this book down, such as: 4. Filled with Visual Charts, Definitions, and Additional Resources Save hours looking up technical terms and searching for extra timelines and charts--it's all here in one easy-to-understand handbook! With the flip of a page, you'll find charts simplifying technical definitions, an English Bible Translations Comparison, and references to give you a complete overview of how the Bible was formed. These related resources are also available (each sold separately): How We Got the Bible Complete Kit (UPC 031809035658 or ISBN 9781628622072) which contains a DVD plus additional resourcesHow We Got the Bible DVD Bible Study (UPC 031809035665 or ISBN 9781628622065)Paperback edition of How We Got the Bible Leader Guide (ISBN 9781628622089, also available as an e-book)Paperback edition of How We Got the Bible Participant Guide (ISBN 9781628622126, also available as an e-book) with session outlines, discussion questions, definitions, and timelines. Buy a copy of the participant guide for each person.How We Got the Bible PowerPoint (ISBN 9781890947460) with dozens of slides providing even more in-depth information.
  the bible as history: The Bible in World History Stephen Leston, Christopher D. Hudson, 2011 What was happening outside biblical territories during the time of the patriarchs, Jewish kingdoms, the prophets, Jesus' ministry, and the early church? Find out with The Bible in World History.
  the bible as history: A Bible Reader's History of the Ancient World Kent P. Jackson, 2016 As its title suggests, this volume is written for readers of the Bible. It is intended to provide historical backgrounds concerning the peoples and lands of the Bible and is meant to supplement a study of the biblical narrative itself. Thus it is not a traditional history of the ancient Near East, because it does not address all periods and all societies but has its focus on those that enlighten the biblical text. It is also written with those Bible readers in mind who travel or study in Bible lands, with emphasis on places and artifacts that visitors frequently see today.
  the bible as history: A Bible Believer Looks at World History Frederick Widdowson, 2010-08-08 This is a review of world history from a Bible believer's perspective. It is designed for use by homeschoolers but anyone can learn from it.
  the bible as history: God's Bible Timeline Linda Finlayson, 2020-11-06 With colour illustrations, pictures, and pull-out timelines, this history book brings the whole Bible to life! From Genesis to Revelation, from the beginning of time to the early church, from the first promise of a Saviour to the promise that one day that Saviour will return - this book spans all of time. Find out about how the God of all time spoke to his people and still speaks today through his Word.
  the bible as history: Dark History of the Bible Michael Kerrigan, 2015-08-19 Human sacrifice, floods, plagues, murders, massacres, betrayal, wars, incest, sea monsters and dragons – how well do we really remember the stories we learnt in school scripture lessons? From Genesis to the Book of Revelation, Dark History of The Bible explores some of the oldest stories in the world.
  the bible as history: The Rise and Fall of the Bible Timothy Beal, 2011-02-16 A professor of religion offers an “engrossing and excellent” look at how the Good Book has changed—and changed the world—through the ages (Publishers Weekly, starred review). In a lively journey from early Christianity to the present, this book explores how a box of handwritten scrolls became the Bible, and how the multibillion-dollar business that has brought us Biblezines and Manga Bibles is selling down the Book’s sacred capital. Showing us how a single official text was created from the proliferation of different scripts, Timothy Beal traces its path as it became embraced as the word of God and the Book of books. Christianity thrived for centuries without any Bible—there was no official canon of scriptures, much less a book big enough to hold them all. Congregations used various collections of scrolls and codices. As the author reveals, there is no “original” Bible, no single source text behind the thousands of different editions on the market today. The farther we go back in the holy text’s history, the more versions we find. In calling for a fresh understanding of the ways scriptures were used in the past, the author of Biblical Literacy offers the chance to rediscover a Bible, and a faith, that is truer to its own history—not a book of answers, but a library of questions.
  the bible as history: How the Bible Became Holy Michael L Satlow, 2014-04-15 In this sweeping narrative, Michael Satlow tells the fascinating story of how an ancient collection of obscure Israelite writings became the founding texts of both Judaism and Christianity, considered holy by followers of each faith. Drawing on cutting-edge historical and archeological research, he traces the story of how, when, and why Jews and Christians gradually granted authority to texts that had long lay dormant in a dusty temple archive. The Bible, Satlow maintains, was not the consecrated book it is now until quite late in its history. He describes how elite scribes in the eighth and seventh centuries B.C.E. began the process that led to the creation of several of our biblical texts. It was not until these were translated into Greek in Egypt in the second century B.C.E., however, that some Jews began to see them as culturally authoritative, comparable to Homer’s works in contemporary Greek society. Then, in the first century B.C.E. in Israel, political machinations resulted in the Sadducees assigning legal power to the writings. We see how the world Jesus was born into was largely biblically illiterate and how he knew very little about the texts upon which his apostles would base his spiritual leadership. Synthesizing an enormous body of scholarly work, Satlow’s groundbreaking study offers provocative new assertions about commonly accepted interpretations of biblical history as well as a unique window into how two of the world’s great faiths came into being.
  the bible as history: The IVP Atlas of Bible History Paul Lawrence, 2023-12-03 What does is mean for the church to recover the biblical practice of lament? Drawing deeply from key passages in Scripture, Old Testament scholar May Young offers a guide for readers to gain deep understanding of lament texts and grow a true practice of lament that helps us move through pain and suffering to experience God's renewed hope.
  the bible as history: The Bible John Barton, 2010 The Bible: The Basics is an introduction to the Bible as both a sacred text, central to the faith of millions, and a classic work of Western literature, containing a tapestry of genres, voices, perspectives and images. This guide addresses both aspects of the Bible's character by exploring: the rich variety of literary forms, from poetry to prophecy and epistles to apocalypses; the historical, geographic and social context of the Bible; contemporary attitudes to the Bible held by believers and non-believers; and the status of biblical interpretation today. --Book Jacket.
  the bible as history: A History of the End of the World Jonathan Kirsch, 2006-08-22 [The Book of] Revelation has served as a language arsenal in a great many of the social, cultural, and political conflicts in Western history. Again and again, Revelation has stirred some dangerous men and women to act out their own private apocalypses. Above all, the moral calculus of Revelation—the demonization of one's enemies, the sanctification of revenge taking, and the notion that history must end in catastrophe—can be detected in some of the worst atrocities and excesses of every age, including our own. For all of these reasons, the rest of us ignore the book of Revelation only at our impoverishment and, more to the point, at our own peril. The mysterious author of the Book of Revelation (or the Apocalypse, as the last book of the New Testament is also known) never considered that his sermon on the impending end times would last beyond his own life. In fact, he predicted that the destruction of the earth would be witnessed by his contemporaries. Yet Revelation not only outlived its creat∨ this vivid and violent revenge fantasy has played a significant role in the march of Western civilization. Ever since Revelation was first preached as the revealed word of Jesus Christ, it has haunted and inspired hearers and readers alike. The mark of the beast, the Antichrist, 666, the Whore of Babylon, Armageddon, and the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse are just a few of the images, phrases, and codes that have burned their way into the fabric of our culture. The questions raised go straight to the heart of the human fear of death and obsession with the afterlife. Will we, individually or collectively, ride off to glory, or will we drown in hellfire for all eternity? As those who best manipulate this dark vision learned, which side we fall on is often a matter of life or death. Honed into a weapon in the ongoing culture wars between states, religions, and citizenry, Revelation has significantly altered the course of history. Kirsch, whom the Washington Post calls a fine storyteller with a flair for rendering ancient tales relevant and appealing to modern audiences, delivers a far-ranging, entertaining, and shocking history of this scandalous book, which was nearly cut from the New Testament. From the fall of the Roman Empire to the Black Death, the Inquisition to the Protestant Reformation, the New World to the rise of the Religious Right, this chronicle of the use and abuse of the Book of Revelation tells the tale of the unfolding of history and the hopes, fears, dreams, and nightmares of all humanity.
  the bible as history: The Acts of the Apostles , 2010-12-01 Acts is the sequel to Luke's gospel and tells the story of Jesus's followers during the 30 years after his death. It describes how the 12 apostles, formerly Jesus's disciples, spread the message of Christianity throughout the Mediterranean against a background of persecution. With an introduction by P.D. James.
  the bible as history: How to Read the Bible Marc Zvi Brettler, 2010-01-01 Master Bible scholar and teacher Marc Brettler argues that today's contemporary readers can only understand the ancient Hebrew Scripture by knowing more about the culture that produced it. And so Brettler unpacks the literary conventions, ideological assumptions, and historical conditions that inform the biblical text and demonstrates how modern critical scholarship and archaeological discoveries shed light on this fascinating and complex literature. Brettler surveys representative biblical texts from different genres to illustrate how modern scholars have taught us to read these texts. Using the historical-critical method long popular in academia, he guides us in reading the Bible as it was read in the biblical period, independent of later religious norms and interpretive traditions. Understanding the Bible this way lets us appreciate it as an interesting text that speaks in multiple voices on profound issues. This book is the first Jewishly sensitive introduction to the historical-critical method. Unlike other introductory texts, the Bible that this book speaks about is the Jewish one -- with the three-part TaNaKH arrangement, the sequence of books found in modern printed Hebrew editions, and the chapter and verse enumerations used in most modern Jewish versions of the Bible. In an afterword, the author discusses how the historical-critical method can help contemporary Jews relate to the Bible as a religious text in a more meaningful way.
  the bible as history: The Book Christopher De Hamel, 2005-03-08 The Book tells the story of the Bible as a book, tracing its publication inendless forms and numerous languages from its origins to the present day.
  the bible as history: Truth for Life — Volume 1 Alistair Begg, 2021-11-01 A year of gospel-saturated daily devotions from renowned Bible teacher Alistair Begg. Start with the gospel each and every day with this one-year devotional by renowned Bible teacher Alistair Begg. We all need to be reminded of the truth that anchors our life and excites and equips us to live for Christ. Reflecting on a short passage each day, Alistair spans the Scriptures to show us the greatness and grace of God, and to thrill our hearts to live as His children. His clear, faithful exposition and thoughtful application mean that this resource will both engage your mind and stir your heart. Each day includes prompts to apply what you’ve read, a related Bible text to enjoy, and a plan for reading through the whole of the Scriptures in a year. The hardback cover and ribbon marker make this a wonderful gift.
  the bible as history: Testament John Romer, 1988 In telling the story of the Bible's birth and journey from ancient East to modern West, Romer explores legendary characters of the Old and New Testaments and depicts biblical sites whose names have resounded throughout history. (A) panorama worth viewing.--New York Times Book Review. Illustrations.
  the bible as history: The Bible: a History Stephen M. Miller, Robert V. Huber, 2005-02 The Bible has had a profound influence on the diverse cultures of Europe and the British Isles, the Americas, Australia and Africa, and has even left an imprint on Asia. It is a book that has inspired the whole range of human emotion and experience, including some of the finest art and literature. And even in this current age, which often considers itself secular and post-Christian, the Bible remains the biggest seller of all books. The Bible: A History does not attempt to help readers grasp the contents of the Bible. Rather, it helps them to understand the vital role the Bible has played in history over the past 2000 years. Areas covered include: How the Bible Came to Be; The Bible in a Rapidly Growing Church; The Book of the Reformation; and The Bible in the Modern World.
  the bible as history: Lost Books of the Bible and The Forgotten Books of Eden Rutherford Hayes Platt, 2020-02-12 2020 Reprint of 1926 Editions. Full facsimile of the original editions and not reproduced with Optical Recognition software. This edition includes two titles published into one bound volume. Rutherford Hayes Platt, in the preface to his 1963 reprint of this work, states: First issued in 1926, this is the most popular collection of apocryphal and pseudepigraphal literature ever published. The translations were first published, under this title, by an unknown editor in The Lost Books of the Bible Cleveland 1926, but the translations had previously been published many times. The book is, essentially, a combined reprint of earlier works. The first half, Lost Books of the Bible, covers the New Testament. The second half of the book, The Forgotten Books of Eden, includes a translation originally published in 1882 of the First and Second Books of Adam and Eve, translated first from ancient Ethiopic to German and then into English by Solomon Caesar Malan, and a number of items of Old Testament pseudepigrapha, such as reprinted in the second volume of R.H. Charles's Apocrypha and Pseudepigrapha of the Old Testament (Oxford, 1913).
  the bible as history: The Cambridge History of the Bible: From the beginnings to Jerome Peter R. Ackroyd, Christopher Francis Evans, Geoffrey William Hugo Lampe, Stanley Lawrence Greenslade, 1963 Volume 3 covers the effects of the Bible on the history of the West between the Reformation and the publication of the New English Bible.
  the bible as history: Why Catholic Bibles Are Bigger Gary Michuta, 2017-09-15 Some differences between Catholicism and Protestantism can be tricky to grasp, but one of them just requires the ability to count: Catholic bibles have seventy-three books, whereas Protestant bibles have sixty-sis - plus an appendix with the strange title Apocrypha. What's the story here? Protestants claim that the medieval Catholic Church added six extra books that had never been considered part of the Old Testament, either by Jews or early Christians. Catholics say that the Protestant Reformers removed those books, long considered part of Sacred Scripture, because they didn't like what they contained. In Why Catholic Bibles Are Bigger, Gary Michuta presents a revised and expanded version of his authoritative work on this key issue. Combing the historical record from pre-Christian times to the Patristic era to the Reformation and its aftermath, he traces the canon controversy through the writings and actions of its major players.
  the bible as history: The Bible Unearthed Israel Finkelstein, Neil Asher Silberman, 2002-06-11 In this groundbreaking work that sets apart fact and legend, authors Finkelstein and Silberman use significant archeological discoveries to provide historical information about biblical Israel and its neighbors. In this iconoclastic and provocative work, leading scholars Israel Finkelstein and Neil Asher Silberman draw on recent archaeological research to present a dramatically revised portrait of ancient Israel and its neighbors. They argue that crucial evidence (or a telling lack of evidence) at digs in Israel, Egypt, Jordan, and Lebanon suggests that many of the most famous stories in the Bible—the wanderings of the patriarchs, the Exodus from Egypt, Joshua’s conquest of Canaan, and David and Solomon’s vast empire—reflect the world of the later authors rather than actual historical facts. Challenging the fundamentalist readings of the scriptures and marshaling the latest archaeological evidence to support its new vision of ancient Israel, The Bible Unearthed offers a fascinating and controversial perspective on when and why the Bible was written and why it possesses such great spiritual and emotional power today.
  the bible as history: Invisible Romans Robert C. Knapp, 2011 Robert Knapp brings invisible inhabitants of Rome and its vast empire to life. He seeks out the ordinary men, housewives, prostitutes, freedmen, slaves, soldiers, and gladiators, who formed the fabric of everyday life in the ancient Roman world, and the outlaws and pirates who lay beyond it. He finds their own words preserved in literature, letters, inscriptions and graffiti and their traces in the nooks and crannies of the histories, treatises, plays and poetry created by members of the elite. He tracks down and pieces together these and other tell-tale bits of evidence cast off by the visible mass of Roman history and culture, and in doing so recreates a world lost from view for two millennia. We see how everyday Romans sought to survive and thrive under the afflictions of disease, war, and violence, and to control their fates before powers that variously oppressed and ignored them. Chapters on each of the main groups reveal how their worlds were linked in need, dependence, exploitation, hope and fear. Slaves and ex-soldiers merge into the world of the outlaw; slaves become freedmen; the sons of freedmen enlist as soldiers; and the concerns of women transcend every boundary. We see them all at last in the tumult of a great empire that shaped their worlds as it reshaped the wider world around them.
  the bible as history: Beyond the Texts William G. Dever, 2020-11-16 A handbook for biblical scholars and historians of the Ancient Near East William G. Dever offers a welcome perspective on ancient Israel and Judah that prioritizes the archaeological remains to render history as it was—not as the biblical writers argue it should have been. Drawing from the most recent archaeological data as interpreted from a nontheological point of view and supplementing that data with biblical material only when it converges with the archaeological record, Dever analyzes all the evidence at hand to provide a new history of ancient Israel and Judah that is accessible to all interested readers. Features A new approach to the history of ancient Israel Extensive bibliography More than eighty maps and illustrations
  the bible as history: The New Cambridge History of the Bible Euan Cameron, James Carleton Paget, Joachim Schaper, Richard Marsden, 2016-09-01
  the bible as history: Bible History Made Simple James E. Smith, 2007-09-01 A survey of the seventeen periods of biblical history designed for those taking their first steps in biblical study.
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Discover the meaning of Bible verses and phrases. See popular Bible translations. Understand each verse in context with the help of footnotes and cross-references.

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What Does 666 Mean? What Is the Mark of the Beast? | Bible …
The Bible sometimes stresses a matter by stating it three times. ( Revelation 4:8; 8: 13 ) So the name 666 powerfully emphasizes that God views human political systems as gross failures. …

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The books of the Bible are listed in order and by chapter so you can find verses quickly. The New World Translation (1984) is an accurate, easy-to-read Holy Bible.

Online Bible—Read, Listen, or Download Free: PDF, EPUB, A…
Read the Bible online, listen, or download. Published by Jehovah’s Witnesses, the New World Translation of the Holy …

Bible Study Tools - JW.ORG
Our library of free Bible study tools and resources can help you to deepen your personal Bible study and understand …

La Bible en ligne, écoutez-la ou téléchargez-la gratuitement : P…
Lisez la Bible en ligne, écoutez-la ou téléchargez-la. Publiée par les Témoins de Jéhovah, la Traduction du monde …

The New World Translation (Study Edition) | NWT Study Bible
This free online study Bible is an accurate, easy-to-read study edition of the Holy Bible. It includes pictures, footnotes, …

Bible Verses—Explain Bible Verses, Meaning & Context - J…
Discover the meaning of Bible verses and phrases. See popular Bible translations. Understand each verse in context with …