The Bible Among Other Myths: Unique Revelation Or Just Ancient Literature?

John Oswalt

Zondervan Books, 2009 - Religion - 204 pages

Sixty years ago, biblical scholars typically maintained that Israel's religion was unique, that it stood in marked contrast to the faiths of its ancient Near Eastern neighbors. But nowadays it is widely affirmed that Israelite religion mirrors that of other West Semitic societies. What accounts for this radical change, and what are its implications for our understanding of the Old Testament? Dr. John N. Oswalt says theological and philosophical convictions account for this new attitude among scholars, rather than a revision to the data itself. Its roots lie in the Western world's increasing hostility to the idea of revelation. Revelation, which presupposes a reality that transcends the world of the senses, is objectionable to people because it assumes the existence of a realm over which they have no control. Oswalt makes a detailed comparison of the Old Testament and the other ancient Near Eastern religions. While not advocating a "the Bible says it, and I believe it, and that settles it" point of view, he asserts convincingly that the Bible's historical claims cannot be disassociated from its theological claims. - Publisher.

What people are saying

Review: The Bible Among the Myths: Unique Revelation or Just Ancient Literature?

User Review  - Brian Collins - Goodreads

Oswalt argues that the recent trend to classify parts of the Bible as myth is not due to new evidence that has arisen over the past several decades. He maintains that despite surface similarities (eg ...

Review: The Bible Among the Myths: Unique Revelation or Just Ancient Literature?

User Review  - Bruno - Goodreads

Even better 2nd time round

About the author

Dr. John N. Oswalt (PhD, Brandeis University) is Visiting Distinguished Professor of Old Testament at Asbury Theological Seminary in Wilmore, Kentucky. He is the author of numerous articles and several books, including the two-volume commentary on Isaiah in the New International Commentary on the Old Testament series and Called to be Holy: A Biblical Perspective.

Bibliographic information

• Title: The Bible Among Other Myths: Unique Revelation Or Just Ancient Literature?
• Author: John Oswalt
• Publisher: Zondervan Books, 2009
• ISBN: 0310285097, 9780310285090
• Length: 204 pages
• Subjects: Religion / Biblical Studies / Old Testament; Religion / Biblical Studies / Prophecy