1st Edition

The Bible Says So! From Simple Answers to Insightful Understanding

By Edwin D. Freed, Jane F. Roberts Copyright 2009
    320 Pages
    by Routledge

    320 Pages
    by Routledge

    Is it possible to apply teachings from the Bible to our world today, given the vast differences between biblical times and ours? Biblical passages are often taken out of context and interpreted to support a particular viewpoint or justify a particular action. 'The Bible Says So!' examines the origins of well-known biblical stories - from Adam and Eve, the Flood, and the Tower of Babel, to the birth of Jesus, his resurrection and the writings of St Paul. The book argues that the meaning of these stories becomes apparent when we read between the lines, using the techniques of biblical scholars. 'The Bible Says So!' explores the original intentions of the biblical writers in their particular context and examines key biblical values. The book does justice to the origins of the biblical text, whilst also affirming the relevance of the Bible today.

    FOREWORDPREFACEPart I: OVERVIEW OF BIBLICAL STUDYCHAPTER 1: THE BIBLE; WHAT IS IT?CHAPTER 2: ORAL AND WRITTEN SOURCES OF THE BIBLECHAPTER 3: TRANSLATING THE BIBLEPART II: THE OLD TESTAMENTCHAPTER 4: SOURCES OF THE PENTATEUCHCHAPTER 5: CREATION AND GARDEN OF EDEN STORIESCHAPTER 6: FLOOD STORIES AND THE TOWER OF BABELCHAPTER 7: GENESIS STORIES AS BEGINNINGSCHAPTER 8: PATRIARCHAL NARRATIVESCHAPTER 9: GODS MENTIONED IN THE OLD TESTAMENTPART III: THE NEW TESTAMENTCHAPTER 10: BACKGROUND OF THE CHRIST MOVEMENTCHAPTER 11: CHURCH AND CHURCHESCHAPTER 12: PAUL AND HIS THOUGHTCHAPTER 13: THE FIRST THREE GOSPELSCHAPTER 14: JESUS, MATTHEW, MARK, LUKE OR JOHN?CHAPTER 15: THE STORIES OF JESUS' BIRTHCHAPTER 16: THE RESURRECTED JESUSCHAPTER 17: THE MAN JESUSPART IV: BIBLICAL VALUESCHAPTER 18: LOVE, FAMILY, MARRIAGE AND SEXCHPATER 19: THE BIBLE AND SELECTED SOCIAL ISSUES TODAYCONCLUSION

    Biography

    Edwin D. Freed is Emeritus Professor of Religion at Gettysburg College, Pennsylvania. Jane Roberts is a Professor at The University of Akron Wayne College in Orrville, Ohio.