The Bible: A Very Short IntroductionIt is sometimes said that the Bible is one of the most unread books in the world, yet has been a major force in the development of Western culture and continues to exert an enormous influence over many people's lives. This Very Short Introduction looks at the importance accorded to the Bible by different communities and cultures and attempts to explain why it has generated such a rich variety of uses and interpretations. It explores how the Bible was written, the development of the canon, the role of Biblical criticism, the appropriation of the Bible in high and popular culture, and its use for political ends. ABOUT THE SERIES: The Very Short Introductions series from Oxford University Press contains hundreds of titles in almost every subject area. These pocket-sized books are the perfect way to get ahead in a new subject quickly. Our expert authors combine facts, analysis, perspective, new ideas, and enthusiasm to make interesting and challenging topics highly readable. |
Contents
Classic or Sacred Text? | 1 |
How the Bible was Written | 2 |
The Making of the Bible | 16 |
The Bible in the World of the Believers | 33 |
The Bible and its Critics | 43 |
The Bible in the PostColonial World | 52 |
The Bible in High and Popular Culture | 63 |
The Bible in Politics | 76 |
Conclusion | 86 |
References and Further Reading | 92 |
Index of Biblical References | 3 |
| 13 | |
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Common terms and phrases
Abraham African Afrikaners Akedah attack attempt authoritative authority beliefs biblical texts Book of Jubilees canon Catholic Chapter Christ Christian church collection colonial communities contrast creation critical culture death Desmond Tutu Deuteronomy diversity divine Dube E. P. Sanders epistles Exodus experience faith Father Genesis God’s Gospels Greek hand handmaid Handmaid’s Tale Hebrew Bible human interpretation Isaac Isaiah Israel Jesus Jesus’s Jewish and Christian Jews John John Riches Joshua judgement King kingdom land Latin liberation literary living Lord Luke Luther Maccabees Malise Ruthven Mark’s Matthew means mediaeval moral Moses motifs narrative normative Old Testament one’s oppression particular Passion Paul Paul’s Pentateuch Peter political prophetic Quakers question Qumran readers referred Reformation Reimarus religious Rembrandt resurrection retelling Revelation Romans rule sacrifice scholars Schüssler-Fiorenza SCM Press scripture second century sense Septuagint story subsequent theological translation Tutu versions women writings written