Is the Bible True? [Hardcover]

Jeffery L. Sheler (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 20, 1999

Can the Bible still be regarded as an authentic and credible historical document? In this "excellent overview" (Booklist), Jeffery L. Sheler separates Bible history from Bible hysteria, shattering myths on both sides of the religious divide. His authoritative investigation touches on hot-button issues including: dramatic archaeological finds that both verify and challenge the Bible's history; ancient texts such as the Dead Sea Scrolls that profoundly influence our understanding of the Bible; and the modern quest to discover the truth about Jesus' life and teachings. This fascinating account of scandal and scholarship, debate and discovery affirms the Bible's reliability as a historical witness and a testimony of timeless faith.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

What this book is not: a partisan (Jewish or Christian) account declaring the absolute historical accuracy of the Bible. What it is: a fair-minded exploration of this question of the Bible's historical truth. Author Jeffery Sheler is a journalist (religion correspondent for U.S. News and World Report) who relies extensively on interviews, onsite reports from Israel and Egypt, and a lot of library research. Instead of claiming to offer any startling breakthroughs, the book gives the reader an evenhanded treatment of this immensely controversial text. In a style that is clear and conversational, Scheler walks the reader through key moments in the Hebrew Bible and in the New Testament, exploring the grounds for the historical truth behind such figures as Abraham, Moses, and David, and behind such scriptural accounts as the Flood and the Exodus. Sheler retells the astonishing story of the discovery of the Qumran (Dead Sea) scrolls, and explores their significance for our understanding of first-century Judaism and early Christianity. He also discusses at length the work of the controversial Jesus Seminar scholars. His own conclusions, while not evangelical, are also not deconstructive: "After all of the scholarly scrutiny," he writes, "the Bible emerges affirmed but not unscathed, a credible but complex chronicle of humanity's encounter with God." --Doug Thorpe

From Publishers Weekly

Sheler, the religion correspondent for U.S. News and World Report, offers an even-handed examination and critique of the Bible as a historical document in his first book. Drawing on biblical scholarship, archeology, modern debate and the Scriptures themselves, and relying on his journalistic sense of balance, Sheler proposes that much of the material in the Bible is based on fact. Did Moses really live? The chances of pinpointing a single, desert wanderer who lived 4000 years ago are virtually nil, but archeological evidence points to the likelihood that many biblical persons and events were, at least partially based on reality: a stele fragment uncovered in Galilee describes the House of David, and ancient hieroglyphics suggest that the departure of the Jews from Egypt happened not in a single exodus but in several large migrations. As the book draws heavily on already published scholarly material, there are few surprises here, yet this is a minor quibble because Sheler deftly presents the arguments side by side, allowing lay readers to decide for themselves if the Bible is true. Particularly enlightening is the segment on the search for the historical Jesus, in which Sheler highlights Jesus scholars' ideas and personalities. Sheler's true strength is his ability to maintain a reasonably impartial perspective as he arrives at his conclusionsAmostly favorableAabout the Bible's veracity. This is an excellent book for anyone interested in the Bible both as a work of history and a testament of faith. (Nov.)
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 288 pages
• Publisher: HarperOne; 1 edition (October 20, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0060675411
• ISBN-13: 978-0060675417
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.1 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (26 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #868,474 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Jeffery Sheler is an award-winning freelance journalist who has covered the American religion scene for nearly two decades. As a senior writer for U.S. News & World Report for many years he authored more than 35 cover stories on religious topics ranging from American evangelicalism to the pedophile scandal in the Roman Catholic Church. He is the author of Prophet of Purpose: The Life of Rick Warren (Doubleday, 2009), Believers: A Journey into Evangelical America (Viking, 2006), and Is the Bible True? (HarperSanFrancisco, 1999), which was named one of the top ten religion books of 2000 by Christianity Today magazine.

Sheler is an occasional correspondent on the weekly PBS public affairs program "Religion & Ethics News Weekly," is a frequent guest on national radio broadcasts, and has appeared on network television programs including "Early Today on NBC," "Anderson Cooper 360 (CNN)," "The Situation Room (CNN), "CNN Headline News," "CNN Crossfire," and "John McLaughlin One On One." He continues to write for U.S. News as a contributing editor. His written work also has appeared in National Geographic, Readers Digest and Smithsonian Magazine. He is past president of the Religion Newswriters Association.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

30 of 32 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An encouragement to my faith, December 2, 1999

By 

Carl A. Dixon (Bradenton, Fl United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Is the Bible True? (Hardcover)

I really enjoyed this book. I was prepared for it to be full of sloppy thinking and predjudiced conclusions. I commend the author for his evenhanded evaluation of the Bible. I was especially encouraged by the section on archeology. This book should cause anyone to want to read the Bible directly regardless of thier religious views.

41 of 46 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Overall Good and Helpful, May 11, 2000

By 

Leonard R Budney - See all my reviews

This review is from: Is the Bible True? (Hardcover)

Sheler's book is generally good and helpful. He discusses many ways in which archaeology support the Bible record--both by direct evidence, and by proving that the Bible accurately reflects the time in which it was written. The book will definitely give you a new appreciation for the accuracy of the Bible!

Sheler also does us a favor when he shows how misguided the hardened critics are (on one hand), and mystical kooks (on the other). For example, hardened critics believed there was no David, no Sargon, and no Nebuchadnezzar--until archaeologists found evidence of all three. On the other hand, mystical kooks continually dish up silliness like the Dead Sea Scrolls conspiracy theories: suggesting that the scrolls are being held secret because they would completely disprove the New Testament, etc.. Other kooky ideas include ``Bible Code'' theories and the modern gnostic ideas, which suggest that the ``real message'' of the Bible is in the form of a secret message.

Sheler's book has its weaknesses, though. He tries to be a little too glib. He dismisses the Bible a little lightly at times, suggesting that ``only serious fundamentalists'' take this or that portion of the Bible seriously. It makes him shoot low: he is content to prove that the Bible is ``generally accurate'' while at the same time leaving the impression that the Bible has often botched the details.

Overall, the book is good and helpful. It leaves an off taste, and some loose ends, for the reason I mention above. But if you can take it with a pinch of salt, you'll be glad you gave it a read.

29 of 32 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A very respectful look at "objective" evidence of the Bible., November 5, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Is the Bible True? (Hardcover)

This book takes the approach that the Bible can (and perhaps should) be considered in the same manner as any other ancient text. The author points out that this often is not what happens; rather that (often in the service of their own prejudices) scholars hold a double standard which demands more of Biblical text than other contemporaneous writings. The whole presentation of this book was refreshing in the respect that it paid to the three major monotheistic religions of the Middle East, and especially so the Christian tradition. Whereas many current writers seem intent on "debunking" religious belief, this book can, and does, strengthen one's faith. The archeological and historical support for Biblical scriptures is presented in a manner that can be understood easily, historiographical issues are raised and discussed, and when the evidence simply is not there (in either direction) the author says so. As a Christian, I appreciated Mr. Sheler's respect. As an educated man (doctorate and practicing psychologist) I appreciate the intelligence Mr. Sheler brought to the table. This was a very difficult task that was done well!