Customer Reviews

The Bible: A Very Short Introduction (Very Short Introductions)

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

This "very short" (142 pages if you don't count the bibliography and indices) has turned me on to the entire Oxford University Press series of "Very Short Introductions." This still-expanding series covers a vast array of religious, historical, philosophical, scientific subjects (think of all the electives you never had time for in college). I've always been turned off by the flippancy of certain popular paperbacks that purport to explain the basics of a variety of topics. By padding their discussions with low-brow humor and patronizing detail, they end up being two or three times longer than they need to be. The Oxford VSI books, however, take both the reader's interest and time constraints seriously.

This VSI on the Bible, for instance, approaches its subject from a variety of angles (not just how the Bible came about over thousands of years, but how it has been interpreted by both people of faith and by Western culture at large). And the brevity of the text does not prevent the author from presenting some amazing ironies--like how the same book that has been used to oppress others (as Europe colonized and missionized the world) has served to give voice to those seeking to extricate themselves from the effects of colonialization. Two of the earlier chapters, "How the Bible Was Written" and "The Making of the Bible," do an amazing job of explaining the basics about how the Bible came about, what exactly is "the canon," and how and why one biblical voice differs from others (sometimes even within the same book of the Bible). The discussion is sane, balanced, and scholarly. Even people who have no interest in reading the Bible as a document of faith will have trouble disputing any of Riches's observations about this classic of Western literature. Well done, OUP!

Mr. Riches writes an essay on the Bible that I think presumes you have at least a basic familiarity with the bible. Those that do not will struggle at various points particularly if their history of the Middle East or the world is limited. Mr. Riches discusses the development of both the old and New Testaments, who wrote them, when and for what purpose. He notes that the bible was virtually a written guide for the sharing of community values. He notes that while the new testament concentrates on Christ and his meanings the old concentrates on Abraham while discussing the effects both had on their cultures. The former looks to the defeat of their oppressors while the latter looks to a return to Israel. The book also covers the effect the bible has had on modern culture, the bad such as exploitation of the Indians of South America because of their alleged inferiority and the good where Desmond Tutu utilizes the teachings of the bible to communicate to the Afrikaners that black Africans deserve to be treated as men, equals. Not a simple book, its challenging and a little too brief about the origins of the bible which I think is the most fascinating part of the book. But the again, it's a brief introduction.

What is here isn't bad. But when I look for an introduction to the bible I am looking for an understanding of 3 things 1) how it was written and the cannon established (does good with this), 2) how it has been understood over time (it is ok, but not great with this) and 3) what is in the bible. What is in the bible is completely absent from this introduction.

If you have a short book, then I would not include a section on politics or gender or various heresies before I talked about what was actually in the bible.

To someone who grew up without the bible, the book appears confusing and incoherent. The author of this short introduction seems to agree with that judgement, but he does not explain it that way. Rather, he shows how each biblical community reads and interprets the biblical stories in its own way and from its own experience. He explains in some detail how this works in the Akedah, the story of Abraham and his son Isaac. Jewish interpreters read this as symbolic of Jewish suffering and faithfulness to god. Christian readers may see it as a foreshadowing of god's sacrifice of Jesus.

Skeptical critical examination has always been characteristic of the bible. The canon of books was assembled in antiquity from a much larger number of writings, most of which were rejected. Throughout history different interpretations gave rise to schism and heresy. The renaissance saw a very different reading of the bible by Protestants. Eventually enlightenment deists doubted most of the miracles; and today modern science demolished much of the cosmology and history in the bible.

The author shows us some of the innumerable ways in which the bible has been used, read, and interpreted. I think this is a balanced and realistic assessment of the book, which respects the many faithful for whom it remains holy scripture.

I bought this book in connection with "Bibles Before the Year 1,000," an exhibit at the Freer-Sackler gallery in Washington, D.C. I wanted an overview of how the canon of what we now know as the Bible came to be adopted. According to this author, that process was a lot more ambiguous and fuzzy than we might imagine.

Riches succeeds at being reasonably objective. Yet because he apparently does not view the text as authoritative, this blinds him to the Holy Spirit's role in speaking and interpreting the text to those for whom faith is a relationship with Christ, and more than an intellectual exercise. And he fails to see that for those who believe in the presence of Jesus now, Christianity is more than the Bible. This is vital to how many Christians approach the text.

Overall though, I thought this was a great introduction to the Bible and its cultural impact, and I'm curious to learn more about the history of Christianity.

Critical Book Review


Riches, John K. The Bible: A Very Short Introduction. New York, Oxford University Press, 2000. 160 pp. Paperback, $11.95
John K. Riches is Professor of Divinity and Biblical Criticism at the University of Glasgow. His published works include The World of Jesus: First Century Judaism in Crisis and A Century of New Testament Study. Riches has written and co-authored various articles, some of which include "Theology and Proclamation", "Nag Hammadi" and the "Gospel tradition". Riches has also co-authored numerous books which include Conflicting Mythologies: Identity Formation in the Gospels of Mark and Matthew, The Gospel of John: A Commentary, The miracle stories of the early Christian tradition, Galatians Through the Centuries, and Jesus and the transformation of Judaism.
The Bible: A Very Short Introduction has no introduction but is part of a series of very short introductions published by Oxford for anyone wanting a stimulating and accessible way to get an idea of the subject without having to make an investment on the path to pursuit of said topic. The series began in 1995 and covers histories, philosophy, religion, science, and the humanities.
The Bible: A Very Short Introduction guides perspective student whether beginner or scholar through the various how, why, where, criticisms, eras, social, and political journey of the Christian Bible. The survey does not attempt to treat data, which may be beyond the scope of this introductory book though mention maybe made of the topics. It also includes references for further study and reading, index of Biblical references, and a general index. The chapters are short and concise with inclusion of illustration, thought provoking statements and questions. The Bible gives the scholarly questions and biblical problems under discussion of yesterday, yet still continue to be pondered by patristic, medieval, modern, and post-modern theologians.
The Bible: A Very Short Introduction is an excellent short survey for the individual who enjoys reading and studying the Bible for enrichment in their personal lives. Sabbath school lesson preparations, family Bible study, witnessing to co-workers, friends, to give guidance and encouragement to those who are spiritually wounded and also to lift one's own spirit when life seems to be throwing all curve balls or breakers. The minimum investment requirement for this survey is more than worth the cost for it gives one a fair amount to ponder and research which strengthens their biblical knowledge and foundation. The scope of the reading and the areas of study involved does not require one to purchase supplemental materials to understand what they are perusing Riches has truly written this survey to cover the broad spectrum of education attained by the average individual in today's world with all easily keeping abreast of thoughts, and paradigms presented. The Bible: A Very Short Introduction is an excellent recommendation for one to continue building their personal library, as a gift to loved ones, youth, a gift for those whom is thought to have everything where without this survey of the Bible they would not, graduation present, and to a friend with whom you just met in a shelter or hospitable that they may know redemption and understanding is closer than they think in a dark moment.

The way in which Riches present the old and contemporary concepts about the Bible is unique. Today some consider the bible as a "book of collection" that maybe some of his/her ancestors gave it for a special occasion. Others see it as a collection of sacred texts that still influence in the normative and formative life of the individual as well as the community. The main purpose of the book is to expose and respond for the Bible and its related questions and influence in this postmodern society.
First to consider is the importance and significance of the difficult process of selection of text, transliteration from the original languages Hebrew and Greek respectively as well as the process of canonization is explained in a short and interesting way. Riches delineate the differences between Old and New Testament and make a reflection about the name of the former testament and would be rather to call it Jewish Bible instead of Old Testament. Riches also speaks about different interpretations of biblical passages from different traditions; this is the case of the sacrifice of Abraham's son (p.56). The Akedah" for Jews is a story of sacrifice and obedience to God, for Christians is the given of Jesus Christ in the Cross.
A second aspect to take in consideration is the challenges that the bible has been subject. Criticism according with Riches is one of them. Nevertheless this same criticism has been the origin of the "biblical criticism" that has been very healthy (most of the times) in modern hermeneutics. As an example of this is the case of Martin Luther and his exceptional analyses capability (p.72). Another challenge is the information produced by the discovery of new territories in the time of the Reformation, as well as the Enlightenment and the Science.
Third point of interest is the fact that the Bible on one hand as been an instrument of peace and in the other hand has been an instrument of oppression. This is the case on the discovery of new lands and its colonization. The same book that the conquerors used as justification for forcing native proselytism and even killing them, was the same book used by the conquestees to bring consolation and hope, this is paradoxical but true.
The same is true today, in this postmodern society and its worldview in art, film, literature, music and politics, this book can be see it different from each discipline above mentioned and the
This is an inexplicable mystery of this book, not only in its
I think this book is helpful for persons that desire to have a panoramic view of the bible and its unbelievable surviving through time, criticism, history and hermeneutics; as well as transcending barriers of culture, languages, socioeconomics and intellectualism. For believers this book is valuable, for not believers it is good information, regardless the case, Riches made an exceptional description of the Bible. For generations to come maybe will a collectible book or maybe will be a sacred book. Wherever the case, the challenge continues and the searching for new light never ends, meanwhile, the Bible will continues to be an instrument of hope and salvation for many.

Oxford University Press: "The Bible: A Very Short Introduction" by John Riches is challenging, original, helpful, and rich in a rare intellectual power and profound religious sensitivity. Riches said that the Bible is one of the most unread books in the world, yet it has been a major force in the development of Western culture and continues to exert an enormous influence over many individuals' and how they view the world.

This very short introduction is a little book no bigger than a personal diary that offers a great way to explore the Christian history. It offers a way to discover the diverse ways that people have used and interpreted the Bible throughout history. It is a very short introduction about the Bible for believers and non-believers who are new to the Scriptures. It is also a great review and summary for life-long Bible learners. John Riches does an excellent job of telling many of the Bible's incredible stories in a way that equips people for further study of the Bible. The book is truly an introduction. It does not go into depth about any particular topic or book of the Bible, but it does expand the readers' vision of the Bible.

The study of the Bible in the modern world explores sacred text, which describes the importance of the Bible in different communities, cultures, and interpretations. It covers how the Bible came into creation, the development of the canon, criticism of the Bible, its use in culture, and for political ends. Professor Riches looks at the importance of the Bible in the world of the believers by different communities and cultures and attempts to explain why the Bible has generated such a rich variety of uses and interpretations. Riches wrote the book to motivate students in the field of Christian Theology and to engage the reader in taking a stand in knowing the Bible.

The introduction to the readers does not come from the subject of theology. Instead, the very short introduction focuses purely on Christianity. The author does go into detail on any religious subject. There is no overview of issues, theories, history, or analysis of key concepts. However, Riches made a smooth move into the study of biblical Christianity through a very broad scope, academically occupying the overlap of comparative religion and philosophy.

In conclusion, the brief survey of the Bible has something of richness in the ways in which its reader may have some of the worst excesses of human self-interest and narrow-mindedness. First, I found the book short in discussion but that is why it is called in introduction. Although, Riches fill his reader's minds with well-thought-through information it requires a lot of effort from the reader to grasp everything. Nevertheless, it has some inspiring moments of human thought, literature, and art. In addition, it has the ability to inspire men and women to acts of great service and courage, to fight for liberation and human development. For a beginning Bible student it is a good place to start.

This book is supposed to present an impartial overview of the Bible, but it miserably fails.
The author promotes higher criticism as the only acceptable method of interpreting the Scriptures; he does't seem to be bothered by the fact that there are half a billion Evangelicals busy preaching biblical inerrancy around the world.
Moreover, the author describes all the atrocities that were committed in the name of the Bible in the post colonial world, but it does not tell his readers that Scriptures inspired great people like William Wilberforce and Martin Luther King, to name but a few, to do incredible humanitarian deeds that changed the world for the better.
Also, it should be noted that the evil deeds described in the book were done in disobedience to the Bible, while the greatest accomplishments in the history of human rights were done in obedience to it.
To conclude, my impression was that the author's intent was to denigrate the Bible, rather than present it objectively.