History of the Bible

[Sullyute]

Can anyone recommend some solid books on the history of the bible?

I am looking for something from a anthropological point of view that talks about how it was created, compilated, preserved and passed down thru oral traditions and multiple generations. When it was first put on paper, who they think actually wrote which books and when they were written.

Who or what groups decided which books/letters/stories would be included and which ones were turned down or deemed not authentic. I would like something that just lays out all of the theories, debates, controversies, etc instead of trying to persuade me one way or another. It can be on the old testament, new testament or both.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

[SeattleUte]

[ame="http://www.amazon.com/Christianity-First-Three-Thousand-Years/dp/0670021261/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1288294188&sr=1-1"]Amazon.com: Christianity: The First Three Thousand Years (9780670021260): Diarmaid MacCulloch: Books: Reviews, Prices & more@@AMEPARAM@@http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51NQ3n9pYfL.@@AMEPARAM@@51NQ3n9pYfL[/ame]

Obviously the OT part is more truncated in this, but still very interesting.

[Jacob]

I use a copy of the NRSV (new revised standard version) of the bible, and before each book, as well as in the footnotes, a summary is provided of the origins of the book, etc. it is very helpful information. There are also short essays on several similar topics to the ones you have mentioned in the appendix. This may not be as in depth as you want, or set forth in the format that you are looking for, but it has been very helpful to me.

[Moliere]

[ame="http://www.amazon.com/First-2-000-Years/dp/B003QL2RP6/ref=sr_1_8?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1288294867&sr=1-8"]Amazon.com: The First 2,000 Years: W. Cleon Skousen: Books@@AMEPARAM@@http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51ekcIx1R4L.@@AMEPARAM@@51ekcIx1R4L[/ame]

[woot]

I can't remember the name of a book I read a while back that was a really good, accessible introduction to the scholarship of the OT, written by one of the leading scholars in the field. My gf (near eastern studies doctoral student) recommended it to me and it was really well done. The author is quite even-handed about the various viewpoints by scholars in the field regarding when the pentateuch was written, how many authors were likely involved, etc., the evidence for later interpolations, and a bit about its compilation.

Not sure if it's exactly what you're looking for, but it's pretty short and I'd definitely recommend it. I can figure out the name of it tonight if you're interested.

[Sullyute]

Obviously the OT part is more truncated in this, but still very interesting.

Thanks I will definitely check it out. It looks interesting.

I use a copy of the NRSV (new revised standard version) of the bible, and before each book, as well as in the footnotes, a summary is provided of the origins of the book, etc. it is very helpful information. There are also short essays on several similar topics to the ones you have mentioned in the appendix. This may not be as in depth as you want, or set forth in the format that you are looking for, but it has been very helpful to me.

I just order a hard cover version with apocrypha for less than $10 with shipping from Amazon. Thanks for the recommendation.

I can't remember the name of a book I read a while back that was a really good, accessible introduction to the scholarship of the OT, written by one of the leading scholars in the field. My gf (near eastern studies doctoral student) recommended it to me and it was really well done. The author is quite even-handed about the various viewpoints by scholars in the field regarding when the pentateuch was written, how many authors were likely involved, etc., the evidence for later interpolations, and a bit about its compilation.

Not sure if it's exactly what you're looking for, but it's pretty short and I'd definitely recommend it. I can figure out the name of it tonight if you're interested.

I would love it if you could find out. This might dovetail with the book that SU recommended.

Amazon.com: The First 2,000 Years: W. Cleon Skousen: Books

I do love me some Cleon Skousen, but I will pass this time around.

[SteelBlue]

Pelagius is a guy you want to talk to about this stuff. He's not often on the board so you might try a boardmail. I'm guessing you'll get quite the reading list.

[SeattleUte]

I can't remember the name of a book I read a while back that was a really good, accessible introduction to the scholarship of the OT, written by one of the leading scholars in the field. My gf (near eastern studies doctoral student) recommended it to me and it was really well done. The author is quite even-handed about the various viewpoints by scholars in the field regarding when the pentateuch was written, how many authors were likely involved, etc., the evidence for later interpolations, and a bit about its compilation.

Not sure if it's exactly what you're looking for, but it's pretty short and I'd definitely recommend it. I can figure out the name of it tonight if you're interested.

http://www.cougaruteforum.com/showpo...6&postcount=76

[woot]

http://www.cougaruteforum.com/showpo...6&postcount=76

Hey there it is. Mark S Smith, The Memoirs of God. Thanks, SU. It's a long day in the lab and who knows if I'd have remembered to look for it.

[jay santos]

Can't remember how I stumbled on this, but I saw a reference to this course.

http://oyc.yale.edu/religious-studie...-hebrew-bible/

You can download the mp3's for each lecture. I listened to the whole course and found it fascinating.

[Babs]

Who or what groups decided which books/letters/stories would be included and which ones were turned down or deemed not authentic.

Lost Christianities is a nice look at some of the non-prevailing early sects, if you're looking for a quick read.

[SeattleUte]

Pelagius is a guy you want to talk to about this stuff. He's not often on the board so you might try a boardmail. I'm guessing you'll get quite the reading list.

Pelagius is good for LDS apologetics. If you're interested in how "Moses wrote the Pentateuch" he's probably got something for you.

[Solon]

Pelagius is good for LDS apologetics. If you're interested in how "Moses wrote the Pentateuch" he's probably got something for you.

Bart Ehrman's stuff is great and most of it is accessible to the layman: http://www.bartdehrman.com/books.htm

There's also Frend's The Rise of Christianity. A classic all-around.

[SteelBlue]

Pelagius is good for LDS apologetics. If you're interested in how "Moses wrote the Pentateuch" he's probably got something for you.

Ouch. Maybe you'll draw him out.

[creekster]

Ouch. Maybe you'll draw him out.

Does a horse notice the lap dog yapping at his hooves?