The Bible in History: How the Texts Have Shaped the Times [Hardcover]

David W. Kling (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 12, 2004

No one can doubt that the Bible has exerted a tremendous influence on Western civilization since the dawn of Christianity. But few of us have considered the precise nature of that influence in particular historical contexts. In this book, David Kling traces the fascinating story of how specific biblical texts have at different times emerged to be the inspiration of movements that have changed the course of history. By examining eight such pivotal texts, Kling elucidates the ways in which sacred texts continue to shape our lives as well as our history. Among the passages he discusses are: * "Upon this rock I will build my church" (Matthew 16:18), which inspired the formation of the papacy and has served as its foundation for centuries * "The righteous will live by faith" (Romans 1:17), which caught the imagination of Martin Luther and sparked the Protestant Reformation * "Go to Pharaoh and say to him, 'Thus says the Lord: Let my people go, so that they may worship me'" (Exodus 8:1), which has played an important and diverse role in African American history from early slave spirituals through the modern civil rights movement and beyond * "There is no longer Jew or Greek, there is no longer slave or free, there is no longer male and female; for all of you are one in Christ Jesus" (Galatians 3:28), which has been adopted by feminists as a rallying cry in the battle for women's ordination Each of the historical episodes he explores--from the beginning of Christian monasticism to the emergence of Pentecostalism--is evidence of the dynamic interplay between Scripture and the social and cultural context in which it is interpreted. Kling's innovative study of this process shows how sacred texts can give life to social movements, and how powerful social forces can give new meaning to Scripture.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Kling, associate professor in religious studies at the University of Miami, studies the symbiotic relationship between scripture and society. In particular, he considers eight selections from the Bible—sometimes a single verse, other times a selection of verses, and then again entire chapters or books—and shows how each changed the direction of the Christian church. In doing so, he illustrates the vibrancy of the text, the controversies that have been inspired by famous biblical passages and the church's integration of scripture into its life. Starting with St. Anthony and the roots of the monastic movement and continuing up to contemporary thoughts on the ordination of women, Kling explores how a single person, or a group of people, can attach new meaning and added importance to scripture, providing the impetus for radical change in the church and in the wider society. He sees the abolitionist and peace movements as expressions of a biblical approach that extends time-bound stories (the exodus, for example) into always applicable lessons. This book is nimbly written for the general reader. Although it treats complex issues and draws upon scholarly sources, the text itself is eminently accessible, with further thoughts consigned to nearly 50 pages of endnotes.
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Review

"[David W. Kling] has many good stories to tell, and he tells them very well. His informative and often entertaining survey illustrates a fascinating approach to biblical studies and to history in general."--America

"David Kling has attempted a foolhardy thing--he has tried to illuminate the ubiquitous presence of the Bible in Western history by treating only eight specific texts as they have been understood across the centuries. Remarkably, the book succeeds and succeeds very well. By attending carefully to multiple, often contradictory interpretations of Holy Scripture, Kling explains a very great deal about those who have put the Bible to use. He may explain even more about the enduring attraction of Scripture itself." --Mark A. Noll, author of Americas God: From Jonathan Edwards to Abraham Lincoln

"David Kling has written a fascinating and accessible account of the way in which biblical texts left their mark in the history and culture of the past. The book focuses on crucial moments in Christian history from the origin of monasticism to the ordination of women and on key figures from Bernard of Clairvaux to Martin Luther. The result is a readable and informative introduction to the history of biblical interpretation, which both beginning students and advanced scholars can read with profit."--David C. Steinmetz, Amos Ragan Kearns Professor of the History of Christianity, The Divinity School, Duke University

"David Kling's book takes the Bible seriously as the church's book at the same time as it shows how the church has interpreted the Bible differently over time. Kling's book will help Christians and others understand how the church's understanding of the Bible has both shaped and been shaped by history."--Timothy Weber, President, Memphis Theological Seminary

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 408 pages
• Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA; FIRST EDITION edition (August 12, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0195130081
• ISBN-13: 978-0195130089
• Product Dimensions: 9.4 x 6.2 x 1.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,333,033 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3.0 out of 5 stars Wonderfully Educational; Horrribly Bound, June 1, 2011

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Tyler F. Simmons "Vivo Cristo Rey!" (Richmond, VA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Bible in History: How the Texts Have Shaped the Times (Paperback)

This is one of four course texts for my Senior Seminar course at Regent University and while it is proving to be quite useful in research and my studies, I was so horribly bothered in the first couple hours of reading that I am now leaving my first feedback for a textbook. Within the first two hours of opening this book and reading it, pages 9-20 fell out. Just to put this out there, I am an avid reader and adore my book collection so I strive to take great precaution in my handling of books, but the pages were merely spread when this happened and talk about frustrating. I hope I can make it through the rest of the book without having this issue again but it's hard to say at this point.

10 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Well articulated, most interesting, and very educational, August 23, 2004

By 

Justin (Chicago, IL USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Bible in History: How the Texts Have Shaped the Times (Hardcover)

This book embraces and analyzes the Bible's affect on history with a contemporary language. The language and content allows the book to be digested by scholars, students, and those whom are interested alike.