Historical Israel, Biblical Israel (Cassell Biblical Studies Series) [Paperback]

Mary Mills (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0304704741 | ISBN-13: 978-0304704743 | Publication Date: March 1999

The Old Testament tells the story of a particular nation, ancient Israel, from its origins to its collapse in the face of foreign invaders. But what sort of story is this? How does it fit in with the findings of archaelogical explorations of ancient Syro-Palestine? This book picks up the two aspects of the story told in the books from Joshua to 2 Kings, that of an actual historical society and that of a literary presentation of a nation, told from a religious perspective. By exploring the contents of these books the student is led into the use of basic tools for biblical study, such as historical criticism, narrative criticism and ideological criticism, in order to engage in a structured manner with the task of reading and interpreting biblical texts in a 20th-century world.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"[This book] makes current scholarship accessible to a wider audience, and provides an excellent introduction to the study of the Old Testament in general by its reader-friendly approach. I hope it will be very widely read and used. John Barton, Oriel and Laing Professor of the Interpretation of Holy Scripture, University of Oxford" --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

About the Author

Mary E, Mills is Senior Lecturer in biblical studies at Newman College. She is the author of Human Agents of Cosmic Power, The Puzzle of the Gospels with P. Vardy, and Images of God in the Old Testament. --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Paperback: 124 pages
• Publisher: Continuum International Publishing Group (March 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0304704741
• ISBN-13: 978-0304704743
• Product Dimensions: 8.7 x 5.5 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,246,995 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A good introduction to tools for Bible Study, December 11, 1999

By 

A. Gilmore (Lancing, West Sussex) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Historical Israel, Biblical Israel (Cassell Biblical Studies Series) (Paperback)

Scholars like Albright, Alt, Lemche, Whitelam, Davies, Younger, Noth, Gottwald, Fritz, et al differ as to whether books such as Joshua, Judges and the historical books as a history of Israel area reliable historical guide and how far they are a reflection of the theology of a people defined by religion. Mills examines their views and since there is no general agreement proceeds to explore other methods of interpretation which have gained ground in the post-modern period, three chapters dealing with history as story and a further three with history as theology. Very stimulating and a useful introduction and examination of the various tools for Bible study. Helpful not only for beginners but also for many who were raised on the historical-critical method and who, along with those looking for new ways of reading the Bible, are trying to understand what is going on.