Understanding the Bible An Introduction for Skeptics, Seekers, and Religious Liberals

by Buehrens, John A.

• ISBN13: 9780807010532
• ISBN10: 0807010537
• Edition: Reprint
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2004-06-15
• Publisher: Beacon Press

Summary

A thoughtful, warm, and witty introductionUnderstanding the Bibleis designed to help empower skeptics, seekers, nonbelievers, and those of a liberal and progressive outlook to reclaim the Bible from literalists. In making accessible some of the best contemporary historical, literary, political, and feminist readings of the Hebrew and Christian scriptures, it encourages all who would find in the biblical heritage an ally and not an enemy in the quest for a more just and humane world. Brief and to the point, it can easily be used to stimulate group discussions and personal reading of the biblical texts themselves, and is an excellent introduction to the Judeo-Christian tradition for those of other faiths. Understanding the Bibleincludes four preliminary chapters on the why, who, which, and how of biblical understanding, followed by eight brief thematic chapters covering the core of the Hebrew Bible and six covering the Christian scriptures, plus chronologies, maps, and helpful suggestions for further reading.

Author Biography

John A. Buehrens is president of the Unitarian Universalist Association; he lives in Boston. Forrest Church, senior minister of the Unitarian Church of All Souls in New York City, is author of Life Lines: Holding On (and Letting Go) (0-8070-2723-5 / $11.00).

Table of Contents

BEFORE WE BEGIN
Reasons: Why Bother with the Bible?	3	(9)
Traditions: Where Does the Bible Come From?	12	(11)
Versions: Which Bible Should I Read?	23	(5)
Interpretations: Reading the Bible to Challenge Oppression	28	(15)
THE HEBREW BIBLE (OLD TESTAMENT)
Creations: In the Beginning: Genesis 1 to 11	43	(11)
Generations: Matriarchs, Patriarchs, and Children: Genesis 12 to 50	54	(8)
Liberations: The Exodus and the Wandering in the Wilderness	62	(10)
Institutions: Judges to Kings, Priests and Early Prophets	72	(12)
Exaltations: The Book of Psalms	84	(11)
Frustrations: The Wisdom Literature and Job	95	(13)
Redemptions: The Literary Prophets	108	(13)
Expectations: Messianic Hopes and Apocalyptic Visions	121	(20)
CHRISTIAN SCRIPTURES (NEW TESTAMENT)
Proclamations: Messages of the Kingdom and the Gospel According to Mark	141	(9)
Passions: The Teachings and Death of Jesus in Matthew and Luke	150	(10)
Resurrections: The Four Easter Stories	160	(9)
Incarnations: The Birth Legends and the Fourth Gospel	169	(10)
Salvations: Paul and Rabbinic Judaism	179	(8)
Revelations: Women, Gnostics, and the Early Church	187	(10)
Notes	197	(10)
Acknowledgments	207	(2)
Index	209