Books For Bible Study
016
Instead of our usual Religious Bestseller Lists, this issue includes a library of books on the Bible—both Old and New Testaments—recommended by two prominent scholars. Our Old Testament list was prepared by David Noel of Freedman, Arthur F. Thurnau Professor of Biblical Studies at the University of Michigan and member of the Bible Review Editorial Advisory Board. George Howard, professor of religion at the University of Georgia, selected the books about the New Testament. Howard is the author of “The Name of God in the New Testament,” BAR 04:01, as well as several reviews in BAR and BR.
Following are their suggested sets of books on the Bible. Each is divided into a basic list for new students and one for more advanced students. With the wealth of material available, there is no doubt that other scholars would make different selections, and, perhaps, in the future we will publish more recommended books—depending on how our readers respond.—Ed.
Old Testament
(prepared by David Noel Freedman)
Basic
The Old Testament: A Guide to Its Writings
Hans Walter Wolff
(Fortress, 1973)
An excellent introduction to the guiding principles of modern critical study of the Old Testament for the beginning student. The discussion includes an analysis of the Old Testament in theological study, the development of the canon and essays on the major divisions of the Hebrew Bible: the Pentateuch and the Former Prophets, the Later Prophets and the Writings.
The Biblical Period from Abraham to Ezra: An Historical Survey
William F. Albright
(Harper & Row, 1963)
Although brief and somewhat outdated, this brilliant interpretation of ancient Israel’s history by the father of biblical archaeology is still invaluable for any student of the Bible.
The Hebrew Bible: A Socio-literary Introduction
Norman K. Gottwald
Fortress Press, 1985
A comprehensive introduction to the new perspectives of literary and sociological approaches in Old Testament interpretation, written in a masterful style for beginning theological and university students.
Advanced
The Old Testament: An Introduction
Otto Eissfeldt
(Harper & Row, 1965)
The Old Testament: An Introduction
Rolf Rendtorff
(Fortress, 1986)
The standard critical introduction to the Old Testament field for several decades, Eissfeldt represents a comprehensive and authoritative appraisal of previous scholarship. In the same tradition, Rendtorff extends this discussion by presenting a balanced treatment of the more recent literary and sociological approaches to the biblical material.
The History of Israel
Martin Noth
rev. ed. (Harper & Row, 1960)
A History of Israel
John Bright
3rd ed. (Westminster, 1981)
Based on the traditional literary analysis of the biblical traditions, Noth offers a superb discussion of the political and institutional history of Israel, reflecting the German school of Albrecht Alt. On the other hand, in the tradition of William Foxwell Albright, Bright provides a critical reconstruction of Israel’s history based on the most recent archaeological evidence and integrated into the background of the ancient Near East.
Old Testament Theology
Gerhard van Rad
2 Vols. (Harper & Row, 1962)
Theology of the Old Testament
Walter Eichrodt
2 Vols. (Westminster, 1961)
Von Rad’s classic treatment of Old Testament theology provides a stimulating analysis of the various biblical traditions. Although today von Rad’s approach is controversial and hotly debated, his work is still of fundamental importance. Eichrodt’s volume is another valuable treatment of the subject, in which the religion of Israel is illuminated by the concept of the covenant, which the author understands as the cohesive force for the unity of the Hebrew Bible.
The Macmillan Bible Atlas
Yohanan Aharoni and Michael Avi-Yonah
rev. ed. (Macmillan, 1977)
Aharoni and Avi-Yonah’s atlas is perhaps the finest reference work to consult for geographical and historical matters. The 262 maps illustrate the major events of biblical history, not just various periods.
Reader’s Digest Atlas of the Bible
J. L. Gardner, ed.
(Reader’s Digest, 1981)
A very readable and well-illustrated guide to the world of the Bible with a helpful gazetteer of over 900 place names mentioned in the Bible. Numerous biblical scholars assisted in the production of this colorful volume, including the late Harry Thomas Frank former, associate editor of Biblical Archaeologist,
Atlas of the Bible
John Rogerson
(Facts on File, 1985)
Another helpful geographical guide to the biblical world, this volume includes numerous illustrations and several impressive aerial photographs of important sites and the terrain of the Holy Land.
017
New Testament
(prepared by George Howard)
Basic
The New Testament and Early Christianity
Joseph B Tyson
(Macmillan, 1984)
This is a basic introduction to the literature and history of New Testament Christianity. It also surveys the Greco-Roman and Jewish worlds out of which Christianity grew, and concludes with a brief discussion of Christianity and its literature in the second century A.D. It thus surrounds its review of the New Testament documents with a description of their social, political, religious and literary milieu before, during and after the first A.D.
The Text of the New Testament
Bruce M. Metzger
2nd ed. (Oxford University Press, 1968)
This is a basic introduction to the text of the New Testament, including sections on ancient books, early manuscripts and versions and a history of printed editions of the Greek New Testament. Metzger writes on a difficult subject in an easy-to-read style. No student of the New Testament should be ignorant of the subject matter covered by this book.
The Anchor Bible
William F. Albright and David Noel Freedman, eds.
(Doubleday)
This is one of the best current commentary series on the entire Bible. Generally, the New Testament volumes that have been published are excellent. Each includes an introduction to a particular book, a translation and copious notes. The authors represent the best scholarship of the day.
The Interpreter’s Dictionary of the Bible and Supplementary Volume
George A Buttrick et al.
(Abingdon 1962, 1976)
The Interpreter’s Dictionary of the Bible has established itself as a fine tool for the study of the Bible. It includes information regarding proper names, important terms and subjects, relevant archaeological discoveries and in general the life and faith of ancient times. The Supplementary Volume (1976) forms an up-to-date addendum to the original four volumes.
Advanced
Introduction to the New Testament
W. G. Kümmel, transl, Howard Clark Kee
rev. ed. (Abingdon, 1975)
Kümmel’s introduction is one of the most detailed and inclusive of those produced in recent times. Attention is given to each document in the New Testament. Also included area number of special topics such as the synoptic problem, and chapters on the text and canon of the New Testament. Its bibliography is especially good.
The Two-Source Hypothesis: A Critical Appraisal
Arthur J. Bellinzoni, ed.
(Mercer University Press, 1985)
Bellinzoni’s book includes a series of articles by major authors on the synoptic problem. More specifically it treats the issues of the Markan priority (the theory that Mark was the earliest of the synoptic gospels and that Matthew and Luke used Mark) and the hypothetical source “Q” (the other early source for Matthew and Luke according to the two-source hypothesis). In each section articles for and against the Markan priority and “Q” are presented. Few problems today are disputed more hotly in gospel studies; few books present a more a balanced survey of modern research into the subject.
The Acts of the Apostles. A Commentary
Ernst Haenchen
(Westminster, 1971)
This is a model commentary for advanced study of the Book of Acts. It represents some 20 years of labor by a major New Testament scholar. It includes a lengthy introduction to important issues in Acts studies, a translation, and copious notes on the text. It would be difficult to single out a more erudite work in modern New Testament research.
Paul, The Law, and the Jewish People
E. P. Sanders
(Fortress, 1983)
Few scholars have contributed more to modern Pauline studies than E. P. Sanders. Although his most famous book on Paul is his Paul and Palestinian Judaism (1977), I have selected the present shorter volume for our list. It serves as a corrective, an expansion and a clarification of his earlier large work. Especially helpful are his footnotes and bibliography.
For information on prices and how to order, call toll-free 1–800-221–4644 or write to Books for Bible Study, Biblical Archaeology Society, 3000 Connecticut Avenue NW, Washington, D.C. 20008
Instead of our usual Religious Bestseller Lists, this issue includes a library of books on the Bible—both Old and New Testaments—recommended by two prominent scholars. Our Old Testament list was prepared by David Noel of Freedman, Arthur F. Thurnau Professor of Biblical Studies at the University of Michigan and member of the Bible Review Editorial Advisory Board. George Howard, professor of religion at the University of Georgia, selected the books about the New Testament. Howard is the author of “The Name of God in the New Testament,” BAR 04:01, as well as several reviews in BAR and BR. Following […]
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