The Bible as Literature: An Introduction - Softcover

Gabel, John B.; Wheeler, Charles B.; York, Anthony D.

3.74

137 ratings by Goodreads

9780195092851: The Bible as Literature: An Introduction

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0195092856 ISBN 13: 9780195092851

Publisher: Oxford University Press, 1996

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As in the widely popular Second Edition, this comprehensive and systematic text approaches the Bible from a literary/historical perspective, and studies the work as a body of writing produced by real people who intended to convey messages to a real audience. 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 found in biblical writing, the actual historical and physical settings of that writing, the process of canon formation, the sources of the Pentateuch, and the nature of such literary biblical genres as prophecy, apocalypse, and gospel. Each chapter is an independent yet related essay, and the Third Edition has been updated and enhanced by two new chapters: "Ancient Near Eastern Literature and the Bible" and "The Text of the Bible." In addition, the reading lists following each chapter have been completely updated in order to reflect the most recent scholarship. The result is an easy-to-use, exciting presentation of the art of the Bible that is indispensable to students and accessible to readers of all kinds.

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About the Author:

Charles B. Wheeler, both Emeritus Professors, both at Ohio State University. Anthony D. York, Emeritus Professor of English and Comparative Literature, University of Cincinnati.

Review:

"The 4th edition is the single most useful guide for the undergraduate student to a study of the literature of the old New Testaments, emphasizing critical analysis and forms."--Iris Rozencwajg, Houston Community College

"A very good book. It is a good general text. My class in OT literature used it along with other readings a year ago and found it helpful. (Since I teach separate OT and NT courses I'd prefer separate texts.)"--Grace C. Cooper, University of D.C.

Praise for the previous edition (1st 2 quotes): "I am impressed once again with the logic of the organization, the clarity of the writing, and the wonderful balance. The Bible as Literature is still the best introduction to the subject on the market."--David Hirsch, Professor of English and Judaic Studies, Brown University

"Gabel, Wheeler, and York do an excellent job. They not only provide textual evidence to support their analytical discussion, but also often provide the context and synopsis of the passage--a technique that is key to making the text work with students who are simultaneously reading the Bible for the first time. Accessibility, scholarship, and logical organization make this text easy and worthy to integrate with a course."--Ken Paul Novak, United States Air Force Academy

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