Bible Archaeology: An Exploration of the History and Culture of Early Civilizations [Hardcover]

John McRay (Author), Alfred Hoerth (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 1, 2006

Although it's most often associated with the excavation of historical sites, archaeology is more so a quest to recover a better understanding of early civilizations-their language, history, and culture.

This comprehensive and accessible guide offers full-color maps, photographs, and diagrams to introduce readers to biblical archaeology. By sharing knowledge and insight into the historical contexts and cultural settings of the biblical narratives, the authors give readers glasses through which they can truly experience the life and work of such godly men as Abraham and Moses, as well as Jesus and his disciples. As a result, readers can achieve a more accurate interpretation of the biblical text and gain a greater understanding of their faith.

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

How would your faith change if you knew about the history and culture in which the Bible was written?

For years archaeologists have been excavating historical sites to recover a better understanding of early civilizations. Their discoveries have given us insight on how, where, and why our essential religious beliefs came to be. Now Alfred Hoerth and John McRay offer you the opportunity to experience these early cultures for yourself.

An informative and engaging introduction to biblical archaeology, this accessible book explores the histories, cultures, and social forces of the earliest civilizations. Full-color maps, photographs, and diagrams walk you through archaeological digs, including those in Mesopotamia, Egypt, and Palestine. The knowledge gained through these excavations will give you insight into the historical context and cultural setting of the biblical narratives. The result is a compelling look at the biblical text that allows you to see and truly experience the life and work of such godly men as Abraham and Moses, as well as Jesus and his disciples.

Alfred Hoerth is the former director of archaeology at Wheaton College, where he taught for almost thirty years. He is the author of Archaeology and the Old Testament, coeditor of Peoples of the Old Testament, and has participated in numerous archaeological excavations.

John McRay (Ph.D., University of Chicago) is professor of New Testament and archaeology at Wheaton College Graduate School and the author of Archaeology and the New Testament and Paul: His Life and Teaching.

About the Author

John McRay (Ph.D., University of Chicago) is emeritus professor of New Testament and archaeology at Wheaton College Graduate School. He has taught at the college level for more than forty years and is the author of Archaeology and the New Testament and Paul: His Life and Teaching.

Alfred Hoerth is the author of Archeology and the Old Testament and Peoples of the Old Testament. Both authors live in Wheaton, Illinois.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 288 pages
• Publisher: Baker Books (February 1, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0801012872
• ISBN-13: 978-0801012877
• Product Dimensions: 9.5 x 6.4 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.8 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #604,577 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Biblical Archaeology in perspective, November 9, 2006

By 

RadioScribe (Madison WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Bible Archaeology: An Exploration of the History and Culture of Early Civilizations (Hardcover)

I like this book a lot. It's a very accessible introduction to the world of Biblical Archaeology. It shows how Biblical Archaeology fits as a scientific discipline within the other realms of archaeology of the ancient world. It also shows how what we know about the Biblical world from archaeology fits in with what we know archaeologically about other nearby ancient civilizations. Modern scientists treat these realms as separate disciplines but in the ancient world they were inter-related and we profit by better understanding the relationships. This book is bountifully illustrated with beautiful color photographs, many photographs and perspectives that I haven't seen in other books on Biblical Archaeology.

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Good introductory text, August 13, 2008

By 

M. Caba (Bend, Oregon United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Bible Archaeology: An Exploration of the History and Culture of Early Civilizations (Hardcover)

This book is up to date and is well written and illustrated. It covers the entire Biblical text with emphasis given to each separate geographic area, i.e. Egypt, Mesopotamia, etc. Suitable for either a classroom text or for the general reader, it is a good place to start.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good txt for intro students, October 10, 2009

By 

Chaplain Weasle "chaplain, archaeologist, and... (MO USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Bible Archaeology: An Exploration of the History and Culture of Early Civilizations (Hardcover)

In my intro classes, I get students who are hungry and excited to learn about archaeology. Mind you, all they know about 'archaeology' is usually from movies or programmes on the History Channel and PBS. Some of the mental image they have is correct, but they have many mis-perceptions also. This book gives a good introduction to what archaeology is, how it is carried out in the field, and what conclusions can (and more importantly CAN'T) be derived from the material record. It also gives historical background over the major periods of Biblical history - which is a good foundation for not only students of archaeology, but students of the Bible!

I strongly recommend this book if you would like to learn the basics of archaeology, middle eastern history from ~5300 BCE to ~70 CE, or more about the world and cultures of the Bible. I believe if you read this book and study your Bible with it, you'll know more than probably 95% of the general population on this subject.