Freethought & Rationalism Archive

WCH · 04-26-2005, 07:34 PM

What's the best work on the subject of biblical criticism? A Christian friend of mine who knows very little of the arguments against Christianity but strikes me as very open to new ideas has asked that I refer a book on the subject to him. I told him to get Carl Sagan's A Demon Haunted World on the subject of skepticism, and to look into Richard Dawkins for biology and the like (although I don't know any specific books), but I couldn't think of any suitable biblical criticism texts.

Any ideas?

Peter Kirby · 04-26-2005, 08:40 PM

There is none. It depends on your purpose and focus.

best,
Peter Kirby

MachineGod · 04-26-2005, 09:55 PM

I haven't read it myself yet, but this book is getting good reviews. (From secular society of course).

Bible Unearthed

Peter Kirby · 04-26-2005, 10:19 PM

It's a good introduction to the archaeology of a certain part of the Bible. I wouldn't put it forward as counter-apologetic fodder, if that's what the OP is looking for.

Maybe the first thing is to decide, Old Testament or New? The fields are usually segregated, and not without reason. There are many excellent introductions to the Hebrew Scripture and introductions to the New Testament, and they outshine whatever offerings there may be on the whole Bible.

But again, it sounds the OP doesn't call for an introduction but some kind of argumentative piece for the doubting Christian.

best,
Peter Kirby

WCH · 04-26-2005, 10:21 PM

A little bit of both, actually... something which goes over the basics and covers a lot of ground without getting too into the details would probably be best.

Vorkosigan · 04-27-2005, 01:28 AM

Peter, this suggests a gap which you and Celsus are perfectly situated to fill together.

Michael

Killer Mike · 04-27-2005, 02:00 AM

No doubt that Emmanuel Tov's college level textbook "Textual Critcism of the Hebrew Bible" is the definitive one. He is a professor at the Hebrew University.

Duncan Abercrombie · 04-27-2005, 04:51 AM

WCH,

Personally, I think the best starting point for biblical criticism is still 'The Age of Reason' by Tom Paine. It's a classic of plain-speaking.

David Hume's 'Dialogues Concerning Natural Religion' is also excellent (although not necessarily about biblical criticism).

It's a good idea to get your friend started with the classics works on the subject...

Best wishes,

DA

butswana · 04-27-2005, 05:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Duncan Abercrombie

WCH,
Personally, I think the best starting point for biblical criticism is still 'The Age of Reason' by Tom Paine. It's a classic of plain-speaking.
David Hume's 'Dialogues Concerning Natural Religion' is also excellent (although not necessarily about biblical criticism).
It's a good idea to get your friend started with the classics works on the subject...
Best wishes,
DA

Yeah...I'm going to have to disagree with you there. I thought 'The Age of Reason' was pretty lame. Mister Paine came off as being a pissed curmudgeon. His arguments were weak, although correct.
Yeah, yeah, yeah....he wrote it over 200 years ago, so cut the guy some slack. I've seen much better posted here at IIDB.
As for 'The Bible Unearthed', it's not so much attacking the bible as comparing it to the archeological evidence. The bible doesn't fare too well.

Since TBU only covers archeology, it doesn't go into early Genesis stuff(Adam & Eve, Noah).

Celsus · 04-27-2005, 06:44 AM

If you are interested in biblical criticism as applied in the scholarly world, try McKenzie and Graham's To Each His Own Meaning. It is outstanding and primed for the beginner, and also covers both Hebrew Bible and New Testament. It's probably the only book of its sort out there. If you are looking for contradictions etc., someone else will undoubtedly point you to the Skeptic's Annotated Bible.

Joel

04-26-2005, 07:34 PM	#1
WCH Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Toronto Posts: 6,290	The definitive book of biblical criticism What's the best work on the subject of biblical criticism? A Christian friend of mine who knows very little of the arguments against Christianity but strikes me as very open to new ideas has asked that I refer a book on the subject to him. I told him to get Carl Sagan's A Demon Haunted World on the subject of skepticism, and to look into Richard Dawkins for biology and the like (although I don't know any specific books), but I couldn't think of any suitable biblical criticism texts. Any ideas?

04-27-2005, 04:51 AM	#8
Duncan Abercrombie Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Scotland Posts: 33	Classics are best WCH, Personally, I think the best starting point for biblical criticism is still 'The Age of Reason' by Tom Paine. It's a classic of plain-speaking. David Hume's 'Dialogues Concerning Natural Religion' is also excellent (although not necessarily about biblical criticism). It's a good idea to get your friend started with the classics works on the subject... Best wishes, DA

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04-26-2005, 08:40 PM	#2
Peter Kirby Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: the reliquary of Ockham's razor Posts: 4,035	There is none. It depends on your purpose and focus. best, Peter Kirby

04-26-2005, 09:55 PM	#3
MachineGod Regular Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: The USA Posts: 164	I haven't read it myself yet, but this book is getting good reviews. (From secular society of course). Bible Unearthed

04-26-2005, 10:19 PM	#4
Peter Kirby Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: the reliquary of Ockham's razor Posts: 4,035	It's a good introduction to the archaeology of a certain part of the Bible. I wouldn't put it forward as counter-apologetic fodder, if that's what the OP is looking for. Maybe the first thing is to decide, Old Testament or New? The fields are usually segregated, and not without reason. There are many excellent introductions to the Hebrew Scripture and introductions to the New Testament, and they outshine whatever offerings there may be on the whole Bible. But again, it sounds the OP doesn't call for an introduction but some kind of argumentative piece for the doubting Christian. best, Peter Kirby

04-26-2005, 10:21 PM	#5
WCH Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Toronto Posts: 6,290	A little bit of both, actually... something which goes over the basics and covers a lot of ground without getting too into the details would probably be best.

04-27-2005, 01:28 AM	#6
Vorkosigan Contributor Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Barrayar Posts: 11,866	Peter, this suggests a gap which you and Celsus are perfectly situated to fill together. Michael

04-27-2005, 02:00 AM	#7
Killer Mike Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Ohio Posts: 1,033	No doubt that Emmanuel Tov's college level textbook "Textual Critcism of the Hebrew Bible" is the definitive one. He is a professor at the Hebrew University.

04-27-2005, 06:44 AM	#10
Celsus Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Singapore Posts: 2,875	If you are interested in biblical criticism as applied in the scholarly world, try McKenzie and Graham's To Each His Own Meaning. It is outstanding and primed for the beginner, and also covers both Hebrew Bible and New Testament. It's probably the only book of its sort out there. If you are looking for contradictions etc., someone else will undoubtedly point you to the Skeptic's Annotated Bible. Joel

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