The Bible is the world's most frequently read book. But it was written in a world far different and far removed from our own, and even in its modern translations there is much it does not tell us about that world. From the pages of the Bible itself we learn relatively little, for example, about life during the time of Moses, or about geography, ... more »climate, weights and measures, or money. And we learn even less about the culture and the character of those early civilizations that surrounded the nation of Israel, and that played so prominent a role in the scriptural account.

The Eerdmans' Handbook to the Bible has been designed to meet that need. Here, in this comprehensive and fully illustrated reference volume, the reader can see and understand the Bible in its historical context, and will find answers to almost every imaginable question about biblical times and places.

The Handbook is divided into four sections for convenient use. It begins with general information about the Bible, including articles on various texts and translations, guidelines to biblical interpretation, and a chart on "Christianity and World Ideologies." Here, too, is a helpful essay on "Meeting Objections to a Christian View of the Bible."

Following are substantial sections on the Old and the New Testaments. Each begins with a chart outlining the types of literature that make up these major divisions of the Bible, and includes as well descriptive accounts of daily life in Israel before and during the time of Christ. Special articles on "Critical Methods and Findings" are supplied for both Old and New Testament, and additional articles discuss the Apocrypha, pagan accounts of the Creation, and the place of miracles in the New Testament. Detailed outline guides to every book of the Bible conclude these sections.

Key themes and doctrines of the Scriptures are presented in the final section of the Handbook, which also includes a General Subject Index, additional indices of people, places, maps, and illustrations, and a quick reference map and chart for the Old and New Testaments.

The Eerdmans' Handbook to the Bible has been produced in consultation with dozens of the worlds leading biblical scholars, and makes use of hundreds of full-color photographs, as well as a variety of original graphic charts, diagrams, maps, and complete indices. Authoritative, factual, easy to read and to understand, it will meet the needs of Bible students at every level. Used along with the Bible itself in family devotions, it can contribute significantly to an understanding and appreciation of the scriptural message, and encourages further Bible study. And because it incorporates information about the latest archeological findings and the results of the best biblical scholarship, it will also find a welcome place on the desk of the pastor and the professor.

ISBN-13: 9780802834362
ISBN-10: 0802834361
Publication Date: 1973
Pages: 680
Rating:

Currently 4.7/5 Stars.

4.7 stars, based on 5 ratings

Publisher: Eerdmans
Book Type: Hardcover
Other Versions: Paperback
Members Wishing: 1
Reviews: Member | Amazon | Write a Review

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Top Member Book Reviews

Currently 0/5 Stars.

mejerrymouse reviewed Eerdmans Handbook to the Bible on 6/24/2009 + 23 more book reviews

1 member(s) found this review helpful.

The author is working from the premise that parts of the Bible are historically unreliable: "...the first few chapters of the Bible and many parts of the Old Testament are historically unreliable" (pg. 24).

Read All 3 Book Reviews of "Eerdmans Handbook to the Bible"