Every person needs to know the core Bible stories - those stories with great cultural, historical, or literary significance - that lie at the foundation of Western civilisation. Whether watching political candidates quote from Jesus or tracking court cases on how the stories of Adam and Eve should be taught in the schools, we are surrounded by the legacy of the Bible in our contemporary world. Professor Tim Beal argues that without knowing these core stories, we cannot fully participate in the popular, political, and especially spiritual worlds that surround us. Beal has selected the Bible stories that have shaped history and our world and provides the key information we need to understand their significance and meaning. Whether atheist or believer, readers will benefit from this entry-level course into the heart of the most influential book ever written.
Timothy Beal is Florence Harkness Professor of Religion at Case Western Reserve University. He writes about the Bible and the fascinating and complicated ways it figures in culture. He has eleven books and has published essays in The New York Times, The Chronicle of Higher Education, and The Washington Post, and has been featured on radio shows including NPR's All Things Considered and The Bob Edwards Show.
Tim was born in Hood River, Oregon, and grew up just outside Anchorage, Alaska. He is married to Clover Reuter Beal, who is a Presbyterian minister (he calls her a "Presbyterian shaman," which totally makes sense to anyone who knows her). They have two kids, Sophie and Seth, and live in Shaker Heights, Ohio.
