Customer Reviews

The Cambridge Companion to the Bible (Companions to Religion)

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
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This is a brilliantly but clearly written book, one that will make your experience of the Bible incalculably richer. The first part provides both an overview and more detailed archealogical and historical information on the presence of the early Israelites in the area of Canaan. There is also relevant and compellingly written analysis of the literary and cultural environment. All of this information allows you to see the Hebrew scriptures for the monumental literary and philosophical achievement they represent. Then, there are commentary and background information for every separate book of the Hebrew scriptures and New Testament. Whether you practice one of the three religions of the book (Judaism, Christianity, or Islam), are a student of history and culture, or just want further insight into this most influential of books, you will find the Cambridge Companion an invaluable source for deeper understanding. I teach humanities at the largest private college in the country, and I find the presentation in this book to be clear enough for the least-interested students and complex enough to support the best and brightest. I have also used the material here to discuss religion with my family members and other practictioners--everyone can get something deeply worthwhile from this book.

This is a highly useful, carefully planned, one volume aid to Bible study and general research upon biblical themes and topics. It also provides copious introductory material to each book and period of biblical history. The editorial team consists of familiar names within the world of Biblical Studies and the scholarship is principally that based upon mainstream viepoints.

For general reference, it can stand comparison with any other single Bible 'companion' availability and the standard of scholarship is, on the whole, high.

Most of the contributors to this volume have excellent academic credentials and the overall quality of the presentation, printing, and general finish of this book is similarly pleasing. The book contains an excellent and - what would appear to be - an extensive index and has a copious number of specific articles written by a range of specialist in that particular field.

This reviewer is happy to commend this volume for general Bible study and to provide introductory research material for undergraduate students et al.

Michael Calum Jacques

First, I'm open-minded and far from being a Christian fundamentalist. I was looking forward to gaining perspective on the Bible from this book.

However, as I read, I came across some strange statements, one of which was that Jesus was a disciple of John the Baptist. I read a little further and found a comment that Ezekiel was possibly engaging in street theater (and this accounts for some of his actions). There were other odd bits of information lurking about.

I decided to look up the authors and editor involved. Bruce Chilton is a member of The Jesus Seminar.

I am now unfortunately having to throw the baby out with the bathwater, as I do not trust the rest of the information here.

I shared this with my Episcopalian minister, also not a Christian fundamentalist, and he agreed this book sounds suspect. He recommended the Anchor Bible series instead; unfortunately that is a much more expensive way to go.

This book may be okay for some; I do not agree with some of what I've seen as I said.