Synopses & Reviews
As in the widely popular earlier editions, the latest revision of this comprehensive and systematic text approaches the Bible from a literary/historical perspective and studies it as a body of writing produced by real people who intended to convey messages to real audiences. Avoiding assessments of the Bible's truth or authority, the authors maintain a rigorously objective tone as they discuss such major issues as the forms and strategies of biblical writing, its actual historical and physical settings, the process of canon formation, the sources of the Pentateuch, and the nature of such biblical genres as prophecy, apocalypse, and gospel. Each chapter is an independent yet related essay. The Fourth Edition has been enhanced by the addition of two new chapters: "Judaism in the Intertestamental Period" and "The Hellenistic Background of the New Testament." Also new are an appendix on Palestine in the intertestamental period, a set of review questions on the text of the book, and a glossary of biblical/literary terms. In addition, the reading lists following each chapter have been completely updated to reflect the most recent scholarship. The result is an easy-to-use, exciting presentation of the Bible that will be indispensable to students and accessible to readers of all kinds.
Synopsis
As in the widely popular First Edition, Gabel and Wheeler approach the Bible from a literary/historical perspective and study the work as a body of writing produced by real people who intended to convey messages to a real audience. Avoiding assessments of the Bible's truth or authority, the book maintains a rigorously objective tone as it discusses such major issues as the forms and strategies of biblical writing, the actual historical and physical settings of that writing, the process of canon formation, the sources of the Pentateuch, and the nature of such literary biblical genres as prophecy, apocalypse, and gospel. Each chapter is an independent yet related essay, and the Second Edition adds an entirely new section on writing in Biblical times. In addition, the reading lists that follow the chapters have been completely updated to reflect the most recent scholarship. The result is an easy-to-use, exciting presentation of the art of the Bible that is accessible to readers of all kinds.
Table of Contents
To the Reader
I. The Bible as Literature
II. Literary Forms and Strategies in the Bible
III. Ancient Near Eastern Literature and the Bible
IV. The Bible and History
V. The Physical Setting of the Bible
VI. The Formation of the Canon
VII. The Composition of the Pentateuch
VIII. The Prophetic Writings
IX. The Wisdom Literature
X. The Apocalyptic Literature
XI. Judiasm in the Intertestamental Period
XII. The Hellenistic Background of the New Testament
XIII. Apocrypha and Pseudepigrapha: The Outside Books
XIV. The Gospels
XV. Acts and the Letters
XVI. The Text of the Bible
XVII. Translating the Bible
XVIII. The Religious Use and Interpretation of the Bible
Appendix 1. The Name of Israel's God
Appendix 2. Writing in Biblical Times
Appendix 3. Palestine in the Intertestamental Period
Review Questions
Glossary of Literary Terms
Index