An Introduction to the Bible

A lucid, scholarly, and accessible exploration of the history and study of the Bible.

This concise yet thoroughly researched work investigates the many variants of the Bible, examining the origins and historical contexts of the different translations and comparing the source material and authorship of each one. Taking the reader through the books of the Old and New Testaments, J. W. Rogerson explores the various styles of writing and the historical, political, and religious backgrounds against which the gospels were composed. Complete with a full glossary, detailed bibliography, and several maps and timelines, this is an invaluable guide to understanding the Bible in terms of its readers, its critics, and its ethical value, as well as its worldwide influence.

J.W. Rogerson was Professor and Head of Biblical Studies at Sheffield University, England, until his retirement in 1996. He is also an Anglican clergyman and a Canon Emeritus of Sheffield Cathedral.