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The Rise And Fall Of The Bible: The Unexpected History Of An Accidental Book (2011)

by Timothy Beal(Favorite Author)

3.82 of 5 Votes: 3

ISBN

0151013586 (ISBN13: 9780151013586)

languge

English

genre

History & Biography

publisher

Houghton Mifflin Harcourt

review 1: A thought-provoking read and one which confirms what I've felt recently - that the belief about the inerrancy and infallibility of the bible is not credible. In spite of, or because of this, the author challenges believers to see the bible not as a book of answers, but a library of questions, one that draws us to know God more, for we can't have faith if we don't have doubts. The book also sheds light on the multimillion dollar bible publishing industry, and makes me look at the proliferation of the various versions and formats of the bible in a new, less positive light. This book is not for those whose minds are already closed. To those who are, like me, wrestling to know more, then it is a provocative and worthwhile read.
review 2: I really enjoyed this book.... more Obviously, it's a subject that can be HIGHLY controversial, especially if you are someone who believes in the inerrancy of scripture. I thought it was a thoughtful and informative discussion of 1. the marketing of the Bible and the sheer amount of "value added" (extra stuff that is highly subjective but so often read as fact) and 2. the role of the various Biblical texts throughout history. When you understand that in the days of the early church, there was no Bible as we know it but that they read and reread and interpreted a number of texts and yet they still believed in earnest, it makes it easier to accept the questions of our faith and a wider interpretation of our Bible. To read the Bible as a black-and-white book of answers diminishes its depth, its complexity and makes it appear hypocritical when there are such obvious contradictions. Rather than diminishing the Bible, I feel that this book leads to liberating the Bible from our little box in which we want to place it and releases its real power and depth. Read this expecting more questions than answers but really, isn't that what our relationship with God is all about? I, for one, have no problem believing that my small human mind and heart cannot comprehend all the mysteries of God. less

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