An Introduction to the Bible

by Hauer, Christian E.; Young, William A.

• ISBN13: 9780138971090
• ISBN10: 0138971099
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 1998-01-01
• Publisher: Pearson College Div

Summary

This popular book maintains its exploration of the literary, historical, and contemporary worlds of the Bible.

Table of Contents

Abbreviations of the Books of the Bible	xv	(2)
Foreword	xvii	(2)
Preface	xix
PART ONE INTRODUCTION	1	(58)
Chapter 1 The Three Worlds of the Bible: An Orientation	1	(33)
AN ORIENTATION TO THE LITERARY WORLD	3	(5)
The Jewish and the Christian Bibles	3	(1)
Overview of the Tanak	4	(3)
Overview of the New Testament	7	(1)
AN ORIENTATION TO THE HISTORICAL WORLD	8	(20)
Introduction	8	(1)
Canonization	9	(2)
Textual History	11	(1)
Translation of the Bible into English	11	(3)
Interpretation	14	(5)
Geography of the Ancient Near East and Israel	19	(3)
History of the Ancient Near East	22	(4)
History of Ancient Israel	26	(2)
AN ORIENTATION TO THE CONTEMPORARY WORLD	28	(3)
THE PROBLEM: JOURNEYING INTO THE FIRST TWO WORLDS	31	(1)
SUMMARY	32	(1)
QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION AND REFLECTION	33	(1)
Chapter 2 Preparing for the Journey: An Orientation to the Methods of Biblical Study	34	(25)
INTRINSIC STUDY: JOURNEYING INTO THE LITERARY WORLD	36	(10)
Introduction	36	(10)
EXTRINSIC STUDY: ENTERING THE HISTORICAL WORLD	46	(7)
Literary History	46	(2)
The Empirical Historical Method	48	(1)
Revisionism	49	(1)
Archaeology	50	(3)
USES OF THE TEXT: TRAVELING INTO THE CONTEMPORARY WORLD	53	(4)
SUMMARY	57	(1)
QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION AND REFLECTION	57	(2)
PART TWO: THE TORAH	59	(40)
Chapter 3 Origins: The Book of Genesis	59	(23)
PREHISTORY: COSMIC ORIGINS (GENESIS 1-2)	60	(5)
The Literary World: Balance in Genesis 1-2	60	(2)
The Historical World: Creation Accounts of the Ancient Near East	62	(3)
PREHISTORY: COMMUNAL ORIGINS (GENESIS 3-11)	65	(4)
The Literary World: Separation in Genesis 3-11	65	(3)
The Historical World: Setting the Stage for History	68	(1)
ORIGINS OF THE PEOPLE OF GOD (GENESIS 12-50)	69	(9)
The Literary World: Promise and Journey in the Ancestor Legends	69	(6)
The Historical World: The Ancestors in History	75	(3)
SUMMARY	78	(1)
THE CONTEMPORARY WORLD: QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION AND REFLECTION	79	(3)
Chapter 4 Covenant: Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy	82	(17)
LET MY PEOPLE GO (EXODUS 1-18)	83	(6)
The Literary World: Pharaoh a God?	83	(1)
The Historical World: The Exodus in History	84	(5)
YOU SHALL BE MY PEOPLE, AND I SHALL BE YOUR GOD (EXODUS 19-50, LEVITICUS, NUMBERS)	89	(4)
The Literary World: Covenant and Law	89	(3)
The Historical World: Law in the Ancient Near East	92	(1)
A LOOK BACK, A LOOK AHEAD (DEUTERONOMY)	93	(3)
The Literary World: The Farewell Address of Moses	93	(2)
The Historical World: The Lawbook in the Temple	95	(1)
SUMMARY	96	(1)
THE CONTEMPORARY WORLD: QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION AND REFLECTION	96	(3)
PART THREE: PROPHETS	99	(57)
Chapter 5 The Nation Israel: Joshua, Judges, First and Second Samuel, First and Second Kings (The Former Prophets)	99	(29)
THE OCCUPATION OF CANAAN (JOSHUA AND JUDGES)	100	(6)
The Literary World: Balance in Joshua 1-12 and Judges 1-2	100	(1)
The Historical World: How Did the Israelites Occupy Canaan?	101	(5)
FROM TRIBES TO STATE (JUDGES, SAMUEL)	106	(4)
The Literary World: A Cycle of Legends about Heroes	106	(3)
The Historical World	109	(1)
FROM STATE TO EMPIRE: THE UNITED KINGDOM (SECOND SAMUEL, FIRST KINGS 1-11)	110	(8)
The Literary World: David and Solomon	110	(3)
The Historical World	113	(5)
FROM EMPIRE TO EXILE: THE DIVIDED KINGDOM (FIRST KINGS 12-22, SECOND KINGS)	118	(7)
The Literary World: The Patterning of History in Kings	118	(3)
The Historical World	121	(4)
SUMMARY	125	(1)
THE CONTEMPORARY WORLD: QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION AND REFLECTION	126	(2)
Chapter 6 Covenant Advocates: The Prophets of Ancient Israel (The Latter Prophets)	128	(28)
PROPHECY AS A SOCIAL PHENOMENON	129	(4)
THE PROPHETS AND THEIR TIMES	133	(2)
The Origins of Prophecy	133	(1)
Elijah and Elisha	134	(1)
The Latter Prophets	135	(1)
PROPHETIC SPEECH AND PROPHETIC LITERATURE	135	(4)
PROPHETIC THEMES: COVENANT, JUDGEMENT, REDEMPTION	139	(1)
THE PROPHETIC BOOKS	140	(13)
The Isaiah Anthology	141	(3)
Jeremiah	144	(2)
Ezekiel	146	(1)
The Scroll of the Twelve	147	(6)
SUMMARY	153	(1)
THE CONTEMPORARY WORLD: QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION AND REFLECTION	154	(2)
PART FOUR: THE WRITINGS	156	(54)
Chapter 7 Israel's Sacred Songs: Psalms, Song of Songs, and Lamentations (The Writings I)	156	(17)
A PEOPLE'S POETRY: THE BOOK OF PSALMS	157	(9)
Introduction	157	(1)
The Literary World: The Psalms as Poems	157	(6)
The Historical World: The Psalms in Israel's Worship	163	(3)
THE MEGILLOTH	166	(1)
THE SONG OF SONGS	166	(3)
The Literary World: An Anthology of Love Poems	167	(1)
The Historical World: Authorship and Original Function	168	(1)
LAMENTATIONS	169	(2)
The Literary World: An Anthology of Laments	169	(1)
The Historical World: Original Setting	170	(1)
SUMMARY	171	(1)
THE CONTEMPORARY WORLD: QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION AND REFLECTION	171	(2)
Chapter 8 The Way of Wisdom: Proverbs, Job, Ecclesiastes (The Writings II)	173	(20)
THE LITERARY WORLD	174	(14)
Proverbs: The Blessings of Wisdom	174	(4)
Job: The Limits of Wisdom	178	(7)
Ecclesiastes: The Futility of Wisdom	185	(3)
THE WISDOM MOVEMENT IN ISRAEL AND THE ANCIENT NEAR EAST	188	(2)
SUMMARY	190	(1)
THE CONTEMPORARY WORLD: QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION AND REFLECTION	191	(2)
Chapter 9 The Rest of the Writings: Chronicles, Ezra, Nehemiah, Ruth, Esther, and Daniel	193	(17)
THE HISTORICAL WORLD: AFTER THE EXILE	194	(5)
Cyrus and the Fall of Babylon	194	(2)
The Return	196	(1)
The Temple	197	(1)
Nehemiah: The Wall	197	(1)
The Torah	197	(1)
The Hellenistic Age	198	(1)
THE LITERARY WORLD: THE CHRONICLER'S HISTORY (CHRONICLES, EZRA, AND NEHEMIAH)	199	(1)
TWO SHORT STORIES: RUTH AND ESTHER	200	(3)
The Book of Ruth: A Woman of Valor	200	(2)
The Book of Esther: A Dream Fulfilled	202	(1)
THE HORIZON OF HISTORY: THE BIRTH OF APOCALYPTIC (DANIEL)	203	(4)
Introduction: Apocalyptic Literature and Movements	203	(2)
The Book of Daniel	205	(2)
SUMMARY	207	(1)
THE CONTEMPORARY WORLD: QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION AND REFLECTION	208	(2)
PART FIVE: AFTER THE TANAK	210	(27)
Chapter 10 Jewish Life and Literature (200 B.C.E.-100 C.E.	210	(27)
THE HISTORICAL WORLD: VARIETIES OF CLASSICAL JUDAISM	211	(17)
The Maccabean Period	211	(6)
The New Order	217	(2)
The Pharisees	219	(2)
The Sadducees	221	(1)
The Essenes	222	(1)
Covenanters	222	(3)
The Zealots	225	(1)
The Samaritans	225	(1)
Common Judaism	226	(1)
The People of the Land	226	(1)
Hellenistic Judaism	227	(1)
The Nazareans	228	(1)
Conclusion	228	(1)
THE LITERARY WORLD	228	(6)
The Deuterocanon	229	(1)
The Larger Apocrypha	230	(2)
The Dead Sea Scrolls	232	(1)
Rabbinic Literature	233	(1)
SUMMARY	234	(1)
THE CONTEMPORARY WORLD: QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION AND REFLECTION	235	(2)
PART SIX: THE GOSPELS	237	(52)
Chapter 11 The Proclaimer: Jesus of Nazareth	237	(23)
EVIDENCE OUTSIDE THE GOSPELS	240	(3)
THE GOSPELS AS SOURCES: WHERE DID JESUS "FIT"?	243	(8)
The Historical Fit	245	(2)
The Ideological Fit	247	(2)
The Sociological Fit	249	(2)
JESUS AND THE TITLES ATTRIBUTED TO HIM	251	(6)
Messiah	251	(3)
Son of God	254	(1)
Son of Man	255	(1)
Lord	256	(1)
CONCLUSION	257	(1)
SUMMARY	258	(1)
THE CONTEMPORARY WORLD: QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION AND REFLECTION	259	(1)
Chapter 12 The Proclaimer Becomes the Proclaimed: Mark, Matthew, Luke, and John	260	(29)
THE GROWTH OF THE GOSPELS	261	(3)
What a Gospel Is	261	(1)
The Synoptic Problem	261	(3)
THE LITERARY WORLDS OF THE GOSPELS	264	(17)
Mark: The Secret Revealed through Suffering	264	(4)
Matthew: A Higher Righteousness	268	(4)
Luke: Good News for All	272	(3)
John: The Journey of Jesus	275	(6)
THE HISTORICAL SETTINGS OF THE GOSPELS	281	(4)
Mark	281	(1)
Matthew	282	(1)
Luke	283	(1)
John	283	(2)
SUMMARY	285	(1)
THE CONTEMPORARY WORLD: QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION AND REFLECTION	286	(3)
PART SEVEN: THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES	289	(18)
Chapter 13 The Birth of Christianity: The Acts of the Apostles	289	(18)
THE UNITY OF LUKE-ACTS	290	(1)
THE ACTS AS LITERATURE	291	(4)
THE EARLIEST CHURCH	295	(9)
The Jerusalem Church	297	(1)
Gentile Converts	298	(1)
Persecution	299	(1)
Leadership	300	(1)
A Time Whose Idea Had Come	301	(3)
SUMMARY	304	(1)
THE CONTEMPORARY WORLD: QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION AND REFLECTION	305	(2)
PART EIGHT: LETTERS	307	(53)
Chapter 14 Paul: Apostle to the Gentiles: The Letters of Paul	307	(26)
THE QUEST FOR THE "HISTORICAL" PAUL	309	(5)
Paul and Judaism	309	(2)
Paul, the Apostle	311	(3)
LETTERS AS LITERATURE	314	(2)
THEMES IN THE LETTERS OF PAUL	316	(1)
THE LETTERS OF PAUL IN CONTEXT	317	(13)
First Thessalonians: Like a Thief in the Night	318	(1)
Second Thessalonians: Stand Firm	319	(1)
First Corinthians: Unity in the Spirit	320	(1)
Second Corinthians: From Bitterness to Joy	321	(1)
Galatians: "The Gospel Which Was Preached by Me"	322	(1)
Romans: The Power of God for the Salvation of All	323	(3)
Philippians: My Joy Complete	326	(1)
Philemon: No Longer a Slave	327	(1)
Colossians: Christ Is All in All	327	(1)
Ephesians: He Is Our Peace	328	(2)
SUMMARY	330	(1)
THE CONTEMPORARY WORLD: QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION AND REFLECTION	330	(3)
Chapter 15 The Growing Church: The Pastoral and General Epistles, Hebrews, and the Revelation to John	333	(27)
TOWARD A POSTAPOSTOLIC CHURCH (70-150 C.E.)	334	(6)
Internal Changes	334	(2)
The Church and Judaism	336	(1)
The Church and Rome	337	(2)
The Outcome	339	(1)
THE PASTORAL EPISTLES: BE STRONG IN THE FAITH	340	(2)
First Timothy	340	(1)
Second Timothy	341	(1)
Titus	341	(1)
THE LETTER TO THE HEBREWS: CHRIST AS HIGH PRIEST AND MEDIATOR OF A NEW CONVENANT	342	(2)
THE GENERAL (CATHOLIC) EPISTLES: FOR THE WHOLE CHURCH (JAMES; FIRST PETER; JUDE; SECOND PETER; FIRST, SECOND, AND THIRD JOHN)	344	(6)
The Letter of James	344	(2)
First Peter	346	(1)
Jude	347	(1)
Second Peter	347	(1)
First John	348	(1)
Second John	349	(1)
Third John	349	(1)
THE REVELATION TO JOHN: WHAT MUST HAPPEN SOON	350	(4)
THE NEW TESTAMENT APOCRYPHA	354	(3)
Gospels	355	(1)
Other Works	356	(1)
SUMMARY	357	(1)
THE CONTEMPORARY WORLD: QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION AND REFLECTION	358	(2)
PART NINE: CONCLUSION	360	(9)
Chapter 16 Journey On!	360	(9)
GLOSSARY	369	(16)
ANNOTATED BIBLIOGRAPHY	385	(14)
INDEX	399