How to read the Bible

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Title:

How to read the Bible

Author:

Cox, Harvey, 1929- author.

ISBN:

9780062343154

9780062343161

Edition:

First edition.

Physical Description:

viii, 257 pages ; 24 cm

Contents:

Serpents, floods, and the mystery of evil : the book of Genesis -- Following the footsteps of Moses : the book of Exodus -- Battles and burlesques in the conquest of Canaan : The book of Joshua -- Talking back to God from the garbage heap : the book of Job -- Listening to the voices of the voiceless : Amos and the prophets -- Getting to the final four : gospels, kept and discarded -- Looking over the shoulders of the writers : Matthew, Mark, and Luke -- On the road with Paul of Tarsus : The Epistles -- Surviving a turbulent trip : the book of Revelation -- How do we read the Bible today?

Title Subject:

Bible -- Criticism, interpretation, etc.

Summary:

"Renowned religion expert and Harvard Divinity School professor Harvey Cox deepens our experience of the Bible, revealing the three primary ways we read it, why each is important, and how we can integrate these approaches for a richer understanding and appreciation of key texts throughout the Old and New Testaments.The Bible is the heart of devotional practice, a source of guidance and inspiration rich with insightful life lessons. On the other side of the spectrum, academics have studied the Bible using scientific analysis to examine its historical significance and meaning. The gap between these readings has resulted in a schism with far-reaching implications: Without historical context, ordinary people are left to interpret the Bible literally, while academic readings overlook the deeply personal connections established in church pews, choir benches, and backyard study groups.In How To Read the Bible, Cox explores three different lenses commonly used to bring the Bible into focus: Literary--as narrative stories of family conflict, stirring heroism, and moral dilemmas; History--as classic texts with academic and theological applications; Activism--as a source of dialogue and engagement to be shared and applied to our lives. By bringing these together, Cox shows the Bible in all its rich diversity and meaning and offers us a contemporary activist version that wrestles with issues of feminism, war, homosexuality, and race. The result is a living resource that is perpetually evolving as our understanding changes and deepens from generation to generation"--

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Available:*

Library	Call Number	Status
Searching... Park Grove Library (Cottage Grove)	220.61 COX	Searching... Unknown
Searching... R.H. Stafford Library (Woodbury)	220.61 COX	Searching... Unknown
Searching... Stillwater Public Library	220.61 COX	Searching... Unknown

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Summary

Renowned religion expert and Harvard Divinity School professor Harvey Cox deepens our experience of the Bible, revealing the three primary ways we read it, why each is important, and how we can integrate these approaches for a richer understanding and appreciation of key texts throughout the Old and New Testaments.

The Bible is the heart of devotional practice, a source of guidance and inspiration rich with insightful life lessons. On the other side of the spectrum, academics have studied the Bible using scientific analysis to examine its historical significance and meaning. The gap between these readings has resulted in a schism with far-reaching implications: Without historical context, ordinary people are left to interpret the Bible literally, while academic readings overlook the deeply personal connections established in church pews, choir benches, and backyard study groups.

In How To Read the Bible, Cox explores three different lenses commonly used to bring the Bible into focus:

Literary--as narrative stories of family conflict, stirring heroism, and moral dilemmas; History--as classic texts with academic and theological applications; Activism--as a source of dialogue and engagement to be shared and applied to our lives.

By bringing these together, Cox shows the Bible in all its rich diversity and meaning and offers us a contemporary activist version that wrestles with issues of feminism, war, homosexuality, and race. The result is a living resource that is perpetually evolving as our understanding changes and deepens from generation to generation.

Author Notes

He is the Thomas Professor of Divinity at Harvard University & the author of the groundbreaking The Secular City. His book The Seduction of the Spirit was nominated for a National Book Award. He writes & lectures widely on issues of religion & culture. He is married and lives in Cambridge, Massachusetts.

(Bowker Author Biography)

Reviews (3)

Publisher's Weekly Review

When a highly respected scholar and writer such as Cox (The Future of Faith) writes a simply titled book about a complicated text, readers can justifiably wonder how practical and understandable such a work will be. Scholars and students alike will be gratified by this pragmatic but profoundly insightful volume. Beginning with a masterful exposition of the composition of the Pentateuch, and finishing with a careful look at the historical and theological underpinnings of Revelation, Cox lays out a road map for reading and understanding the Bible and exploring its spiritual nature without compromising its literary and historical complexity. Throughout this fine work, the author offers "Study Tips" to guide the reader to a deeper understanding of Scripture; they will facilitate use of the book in study groups. The Bible is a complex, textured volume that can amaze and inspire, but also confuse and perplex. Cox has given readers a great gift-a clear path toward a fuller and richer appreciation for the sacred text. (Apr.) © Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.

Booklist Review

Harvard's famous, forward-looking professor of divinity (The Secular City, 1965; Fire from Heaven, 1994; The Future of Faith, 2009) offers an alternative or complement to, not an echo of, John Dominic Crossan's almost identically titled new book (How to Read the Bible and Still Be a Christian, 2015). Whereas Crossan provides a framework for reading the Bible, Cox demonstrates how various critical methods clarify its meanings at the time it was written and in ages thereafter, thereby helping readers answer questions about its meaning now. In discussions of Genesis, Exodus, Joshua, Job, the prophets, the Gospels, the Pauline epistles, and Revelation, Cox exemplifies how such technical approaches as form and source analysis, archaeology, the history of interpretation, study of the Roman Empire (under which the canon was forged and, of course, the New Testament written) have elucidated those biblical books. He also regularly inserts boxed study tips to encourage such things as consulting different translations, looking into Gospels excluded from the canonical New Testament, and reading world literature that influenced (e.g., Gilgamesh) and was influenced by the Bible. For thoroughgoing amateur Bible students, a godsend.--Olson, Ray Copyright 2015 Booklist

Library Journal Review

Cox (divinity, Harvard Univ.; The Secular City) could have easily titled this approachable volume "Ways To Read the Bible," because he offers so may "how-tos." Weaving individual stories with contemporary biblical criticism (or as he prefers, "analysis"), Cox presents a case for reading the Bible both as an intellectual discipline and a spiritual journey. While this is not a comprehensive or systematic survey, the author does demonstrate many of the methods used, from various types of literary criticism to archaeology to historical and sociological examinations. The books of the Bible reviewed highlight these principles, and Cox notes that different passages lend themselves to varied techniques. Cox also covers the major groupings found in the Bible. Because the author includes his personal narrative, one comes away finding that critical tools do not limit one's reading of scripture but allow it to grow and address living concerns. Cox intersperses his account with a number of useful study tips and concludes with suggestions for further reading. -VERDICT A handy introduction for those who are interested in a constructive analysis of the Bible but aren't sure where to start.-James Wetherbee, Wingate Univ. Libs., NC © Copyright 2015. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

Introduction	p. 1
Chapter 1 Serpents, Floods, and the Mystery of Evil: The Book of Genesis	p. 19
Chapter 2 Following the Footsteps of Moses: The Book of Exodus	p. 41
Chapter 3 Battles and Burlesques in the Conquest of Canaan The Book of Joshua	p. 65
Chapter 4 Talking Back to God from the Garbage Heap: The Book of Job	p. 79
Chapter 5 Listening to the Voices of the Voiceless: Amos and the Prophets	p. 103
Chapter 6 Getting to the Pinal Four: Gospels, Kept and Discarded	p. 125
Chapter 7 Looking Over the Shoulders of the Writers: Matthew, Mark, and Luke	p. 135
Chapter 8 On the Road with Paul of Tarsus: The Epistles	p. 165
Chapter 9 Surviving a Turbulent Trip: The Book of Revelation	p. 187
Chapter 10 How Do We Read the Bible Today? 215 Conclusion	p. 227
New Testament Time Line	p. 232
Appendix: What Language Did Jesus Speak?	p. 235
For Further Reading	p. 239
Notes	p. 245
Index	p. 251

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Summary

Summary

Author Notes

Reviews (3)

Publisher's Weekly Review

Booklist Review

Library Journal Review

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