The Keepers: An Introduction to the History and Culture of the Samaritans [Hardcover]

Robert T. Anderson (Author), Terry Giles (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 1, 2002

The Keepers describes the remarkable history and survival of the Samaritans and the unique oppression and grace that have shaped their culture and religion. It is a history whose antagonists have included Jews, Christians, and Muslims, and it has contributed to arguments between Roman Catholics and Protestants over the text of the Bible. The threads of the story disappear at times into Judaism, Christianity, and Islam, but ultimately succeed in affirming the unique Samaritan identity. Popularly associated with phrases like “The Lost Ten Tribes of Israel” and “The Good Samaritan,” many are surprised to learn that the Samaritans have a rich history and culture that includes a contemporary chapter. This history is illuminated by stories in the Hebrew Bible and documents from Persian, Greek, Roman, Byzantine, and Islamic sources.

Editorial Reviews

Review

The Keepers describes the remarkable history and survival of the Samaritans and the unique oppression and grace that have shaped their culture and religion. It is a history whose antagonists have included Jews, Christians, and Muslims, and it has contributed to arguments between Roman Catholics and Protestants over the text of the Bible. The threads of the story disappear at times into Judaism, Christianity, and Islam, but ultimately succeed in affirming the unique Samaritan identity. Popularly associated with phrases like “The Lost Ten Tribes of Israel” and “The Good Samaritan,” many are surprised to learn that the Samaritans have a rich history and culture that includes a contemporary chapter. This history is illuminated by stories in the Hebrew Bible and documents from Persian, Greek, Roman, Byzantine, and Islamic sources. -- Review

About the Author

Robert T. Anderson, author of Samaritan Manuscripts and Artifacts, is Professor Emeritus of Religious Studies at Michigan State University.

Terry Giles teaches biblical studies as Professor of Theology at Gannon University. He has also been active in higher education administration and served as guest teaching faculty in Europe, Asia, and Africa.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 300 pages
• Publisher: Hendrickson Pub (March 1, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1565635191
• ISBN-13: 978-1565635197
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.2 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,534,641 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Good book, just needs more pictures of Samaritans, November 3, 2005

By 

Ehav Eliyahu Ever (Jerusalem, Israel) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: The Keepers: An Introduction to the History and Culture of the Samaritans (Hardcover)

I really enjoyed reading this book and reference it quite often. It does a good job of detailing the historical, theological, and political situations surrounding the Samaritans. Due to the fact that various aspects of Samaritan theology and perspectives are relatively unknown outside of the scholarly world thie book is a good introduction to this important part of Israeli culture. I have a friend in Holon, Israel who is a Samaritan and this book is helpful in understanding the Samaritan perspective on history.

The book could use more pictures of the Samaritans actually living out their culture, but regardless this is an introduction. I would recommend this book to anyone who wants to know about the Samaritans.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Best Compacted Samaritan Phylogeny Available, May 31, 2008

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NapoleonOfTheNow "NSB" (Burghill, OH) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

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This review is from: The Keepers: An Introduction to the History and Culture of the Samaritans (Hardcover)

The Samaritans (Shamerim) are one of the smallest surviving distinct Israelite sects in existence. Knowledge of the Samaritans would likely still be slim to outsiders if not for the deceptive tactics of French and English scholars within the last four-hundred years to acquire manuscripts by having them believe there was a sizable Samaritan community in Europe.

Authors Anderson and Giles have prepared a very broad scope of Samaritan history. The great achievement happens to be the generally unbiased presentation of material. Many scholars present one-sided arguments as to Samaritan origins, culture, or historical records; they generally do not believe Samaritans about their own history. Jewish authorities throughout history have eyed-up the Samaritans as something like a plague of religious pagan liars. No one seems to want to understand their side of the story. Anderson and Giles bring each polemic to the table creating a wide foundation of knowledge that is lacking in other books.

There is a section that brings the topic of Samaritans and Christianity together; different theories relating to how much Samaritans participated in the early church, which New Testament writings may have been directed towards a Samaritan audience, a theory that the proto-gospel Q parallels a Samaritan writing, even that Jesus may have had Samaritan ties. (These are not the opinions of the authors just an unbiased presentation of many theories surrounding their existence. See my comment to this review for more info.)

The description says this book has 300 pages, but my copy (same ISBN, same edition) ends the index on page 165.

There were many books written in the past; yet, few books are available now to the "Amazonian" readers about the Samaritans. This book is a treasure trove of knowledge compacted into an easy read. There is a sizable bibliography to springboard your Samaritan studies, many of these books are hard to find, yet this book may very well satisfiy your Samaritan curiosity.

I have collected a library of Samaritan literature and feel obligated to recommend one book beyond 'The Keepers'. Edward Robertson has some essays published from Manchester University Press, under the title, 'The Old Testament Problem'. I got my used copy from the UK, so good luck finding yours. These essays bring to light a schism in Judaism that may very well be the origin of the Samaritan sect. It is a scholarly explaination not commonly accepted that brings harmony to the disputed Samaritan origins and their canon acceptence of only the Torah.

1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars LAYMEN THOUGHTS, July 20, 2010

By 

ABRAHAM SCHWARTZ (WEST PALM BEACH, FL, US) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: The Keepers: An Introduction to the History and Culture of the Samaritans (Hardcover)

IM INTERESTED IN HISTORY OF ANTIQUITIES AND FOUND "THE KEEPERS" AN EASY READ AND INFORMATIVE REGARDING THE SAMARITANS .