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.
A History of the Bible: The Story of the World's Most Influential Book
Viking
MSRP:
Was:
Now:
$20.91 - $57.64
(You save
)
(No reviews yet)
Write a Review
Write a Review
![A History of the Bible: The Story of the World's Most Influential Book A History of the Bible: The Story of the World's Most Influential Book](https://cdn11.bigcommerce.com/s-rr0pkl7rnl/images/stencil/500x659/products/32028/65921/41dXjWssjAL__29111.1706173133.jpg?c=1)
Viking
A History of the Bible: The Story of the World's Most Influential Book
- SKU:
- UPC:
- 9780525428770
- Maximum Purchase:
- 2 units
- Binding:
- Hardcover
- Publication Date:
- 6/4/2019
- Release Date:
- 6/4/2019
- Author:
- Barton, John
- Language:
- English: Published; English: Original Language; English
- Edition:
- First Edition
- Pages:
- 640
![Banned Books: The World's Most Controversial Books, Past and Present (DK Secret Histories) Banned Books: The World's Most Controversial Books, Past and Present (DK Secret Histories)](https://cdn11.bigcommerce.com/s-rr0pkl7rnl/images/stencil/500x659/products/31544/65027/41uBJKQiujL__95861.1706172226.jpg?c=1)
Banned Books: The World's Most Controversial Books, Past and Present (DK Secret Histories)
MSRP:
Was:
Now:
$14.05 - $25.19
![Seeing Jesus from the East: A Fresh Look at Historys Most Influential Figure Seeing Jesus from the East: A Fresh Look at Historys Most Influential Figure](https://cdn11.bigcommerce.com/s-rr0pkl7rnl/images/stencil/500x659/products/54237/107041/81J3Hx-VQRL__09635.1706215306.jpg?c=1)
Seeing Jesus from the East: A Fresh Look at Historys Most Influential Figure
MSRP:
Was:
Now:
$22.23 - $40.22
![Remarkable Books: The World's Most Historic and Significant Works (DK History Changers) Remarkable Books: The World's Most Historic and Significant Works (DK History Changers)](https://cdn11.bigcommerce.com/s-rr0pkl7rnl/images/stencil/500x659/products/11323/23085/51RPbvZOlHL__87978.1705949948.jpg?c=1)
DK
Remarkable Books: The World's Most Historic and Significant Works (DK History Changers)
MSRP:
Was:
Now:
$18.26 - $29.20
![The Gigantic Coloring Book of Bible Stories The Gigantic Coloring Book of Bible Stories](https://cdn11.bigcommerce.com/s-rr0pkl7rnl/images/stencil/500x659/products/9016/18566/81Be90ost5L__71749.1705944890.jpg?c=1)
Tyndale House Publishers, Inc.
The Gigantic Coloring Book of Bible Stories
MSRP:
Was:
Now:
$11.16 - $12.84
![Job - Bible Study Book: A Story of Unlikely Joy - Bible Study Book Job - Bible Study Book: A Story of Unlikely Joy - Bible Study Book](https://cdn11.bigcommerce.com/s-rr0pkl7rnl/images/stencil/500x659/products/1270/2767/51NntPoFfEL__83146.1705926942.jpg?c=1)
LifeWay Press
Job - Bible Study Book: A Story of Unlikely Joy - Bible Study Book
MSRP:
Was:
Now:
$11.40 - $22.46
![The Most Important Stories of the Bible: Understanding God's Word through the Stories It Tells The Most Important Stories of the Bible: Understanding God's Word through the Stories It Tells](https://cdn11.bigcommerce.com/s-rr0pkl7rnl/images/stencil/500x659/products/37009/75169/516UBprWmhL__80041.1706182409.jpg?c=1)
Bethany House Publishers
The Most Important Stories of the Bible: Understanding God's Word through the Stories It Tells
MSRP:
Was:
Now:
$13.66 - $19.23
!