As in the widely popular earlier editions, the latest revision of this comprehensive and systematic text approaches the Bible from a literary/historical perspective and studies it as a body of writing produced by real people who intended to convey messages to real audiences. Avoiding assessments of the Bible's truth or authority, the authors maintain a rigorously objective tone as they discuss such major issues as the forms and strategies of biblical writing, its actual historical and physical settings, the process of canon formation, the sources of the Pentateuch, and the nature of such biblical genres as prophecy, apocalypse, and gospel. Each chapter is an independent yet related essay. The Fourth Edition has been enhanced by the addition of two new chapters: "Judaism in the Intertestamental Period" and "The Hellenistic Background of the New Testament." Also new are an appendix on Palestine in the intertestamental period, a set of review questions on the text of the book, and a glossary of biblical/literary terms. In addition, the reading lists following each chapter have been completely updated to reflect the most recent scholarship. The result is an easy-to-use, exciting presentation of the Bible that will be indispensable to students and accessible to readers of all kinds.
