Bible Archaeology: An Exploration of the History and Culture of Early Civilizations (Hardcover)

by Alfred Hoerth (Author), John McRay (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
Although it's most often associated with the excavation of historical sites, archaeology is more so a quest to recover a better understanding of early civilizations-their language, history, and culture. This comprehensive and accessible guide offers full-color maps, photographs, and diagrams to introduce readers to biblical archaeology. By sharing knowledge and insight into the historical contexts and cultural settings of the biblical narratives, the authors give readers glasses through which they can truly experience the life and work of such godly men as Abraham and Moses, as well as Jesus and his disciples. As a result, readers can achieve a more accurate interpretation of the biblical text and gain a greater understanding of their faith.

From the Back Cover
How would your faith change if you knew about the history and culture in which the Bible was written? For years archaeologists have been excavating historical sites to recover a better understanding of early civilizations. Their discoveries have given us insight on how, where, and why our essential religious beliefs came to be. Now Alfred Hoerth and John McRay offer you the opportunity to experience these early cultures for yourself. An informative and engaging introduction to biblical archaeology, this accessible book explores the histories, cultures, and social forces of the earliest civilizations. Full-color maps, photographs, and diagrams walk you through archaeological digs, including those in Mesopotamia, Egypt, and Palestine. The knowledge gained through these excavations will give you insight into the historical context and cultural setting of the biblical narratives. The result is a compelling look at the biblical text that allows you to see and truly experience the life and work of such godly men as Abraham and Moses, as well as Jesus and his disciples. Alfred Hoerth is the former director of archaeology at Wheaton College, where he taught for almost thirty years. He is the author of Archaeology and the Old Testament, coeditor of Peoples of the Old Testament, and has participated in numerous archaeological excavations. John McRay (Ph.D., University of Chicago) is professor of New Testament and archaeology at Wheaton College Graduate School and the author of Archaeology and the New Testament and Paul: His Life and Teaching.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 288 pages
• Publisher: Baker Books (February 1, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0801012872
• ISBN-13: 978-0801012877
• Product Dimensions: 9.5 x 6.4 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.8 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #97,701 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Biblical Archaeology in perspective, November 9, 2006

By	RadioScribe (Madison WI USA) - See all my reviews

I like this book a lot. It's a very accessible introduction to the world of Biblical Archaeology. It shows how Biblical Archaeology fits as a scientific discipline within the other realms of archaeology of the ancient world. It also shows how what we know about the Biblical world from archaeology fits in with what we know archaeologically about other nearby ancient civilizations. Modern scientists treat these realms as separate disciplines but in the ancient world they were inter-related and we profit by better understanding the relationships. This book is bountifully illustrated with beautiful color photographs, many photographs and perspectives that I haven't seen in other books on Biblical Archaeology.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Good introductory text, August 13, 2008

By	M. Caba (Bend, Oregon United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This book is up to date and is well written and illustrated. It covers the entire Biblical text with emphasis given to each separate geographic area, i.e. Egypt, Mesopotamia, etc. Suitable for either a classroom text or for the general reader, it is a good place to start.

22 of 30 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Disappointed, February 23, 2006

By	Pastor John (Virginia) - See all my reviews

This book is really a brief history of the ancient world. The first 94 pages have little to do with the Bible much less Bible archaeology. If you want a thumb nail sketch of the "Rise and Fall of the Assyrian Empire," or the "Rise and Fall of the Chaldean Empire," or "Egypt prior to Abraham," you might like this book. Otherwise, you will be disappointed.