The Bible As Literature: An Introduction [Paperback]

John B. Gabel (Author), Charles B. Wheeler (Author), Anthony D. York (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0195128532 | ISBN-13: 978-0195128536 | Publication Date: January 13, 2000 | Edition: 4

As in the widely popular earlier editions, the latest revision of this comprehensive and systematic text approaches the Bible from a literary/historical perspective and studies it as a body of writing produced by real people who intended to convey messages to real audiences. Avoiding assessments of the Bible's truth or authority, the authors maintain a rigorously objective tone as they discuss such major issues as the forms and strategies of biblical writing, its actual historical and physical settings, the process of canon formation, the sources of the Pentateuch, and the nature of such biblical genres as prophecy, apocalypse, and gospel. Each chapter is an independent yet related essay. The Fourth Edition has been enhanced by the addition of two new chapters: "Judaism in the Intertestamental Period" and "The Hellenistic Background of the New Testament." Also new are an appendix on Palestine in the intertestamental period, a set of review questions on the text of the book, and a glossary of biblical/literary terms. In addition, the reading lists following each chapter have been completely updated to reflect the most recent scholarship. The result is an easy-to-use, exciting presentation of the Bible that will be indispensable to students and accessible to readers of all kinds.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"The 4th edition is the single most useful guide for the undergraduate student to a study of the literature of the old New Testaments, emphasizing critical analysis and forms."--Iris Rozencwajg, Houston Community College

"A very good book. It is a good general text. My class in OT literature used it along with other readings a year ago and found it helpful. (Since I teach separate OT and NT courses I'd prefer separate texts.)"--Grace C. Cooper, University of D.C.

Praise for the previous edition (1st 2 quotes): "I am impressed once again with the logic of the organization, the clarity of the writing, and the wonderful balance. The Bible as Literature is still the best introduction to the subject on the market."--David Hirsch, Professor of English and Judaic Studies, Brown University

"Gabel, Wheeler, and York do an excellent job. They not only provide textual evidence to support their analytical discussion, but also often provide the context and synopsis of the passage--a technique that is key to making the text work with students who are simultaneously reading the Bible for the first time. Accessibility, scholarship, and logical organization make this text easy and worthy to integrate with a course."--Ken Paul Novak, United States Air Force Academy

About the Author

Charles B. Wheeler, both Emeritus Professors, both at Ohio State University. Anthony D. York, Emeritus Professor of English and Comparative Literature, University of Cincinnati.

Product Details

• Paperback: 384 pages
• Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA; 4 edition (January 13, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0195128532
• ISBN-13: 978-0195128536
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 5.8 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #308,141 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

29 of 30 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A liberal approach to the Bible, December 28, 2000

By 

Bruce Mackay (Missouri City, Texas USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Bible As Literature: An Introduction (Paperback)

It is difficult to separate the literary and religious aspects of the Bible, but the authors' focus is on the book "as literature" and in the space of 357 pages (in my copy of the 4th edition - 432 according to Amazon.com), they cover literary forms and strategies, historical and geographic settings, the major components of the Old and New Testaments and the Apocrypha and Pseudoepigrapha, and issues concerning the text and its translation. A valuable final chapter considers the religious use and interpretation of the Bible. Although the book is concise, it manages in its 18 chapters and 3 appendices to be comprehensive and is consistently readable. I find the sensible, scientific approach credible and while it frequently causes me to reflect on my religious beliefs, they are not seriously undermined by this liberal approach. I do not know of a better introduction to the Bible.

15 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent, Non-Sectarian Look at the Bible., February 27, 2001

By 

Kelly Houser (Cincinnati, OH) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Bible As Literature: An Introduction (Paperback)

I think that this book is wonderful! I am a student of Dr. Anthony York's and we have utilized this book in our classes. The Bible As Literature discusses the Bible in a manner that helps the reader actually read what is/was written without all the religious jargon. I highly recommend this book to anyone who is curious about "The Bible" or to anyone who thinks they "really" know what the Bible states.

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Concise and comprehensive without overt biases, January 15, 2007

By 

D. Goodpasture (USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Bible As Literature: An Introduction (Paperback)

I bought this book, the 5th edition, for a graduate class and ended up reading almost all of it even though only some parts of it were assigned. I was very impressed. It is very scholarly without being dry. It is fairly short given the subject matter and reader friendly with captions and review questions. It also covers the Apocrypha.