Freethought & Rationalism Archive

Toefur · 08-25-2002, 06:09 AM

I've never really gotten around to reading many Christianity related books, and it doesn't help that all the local bookshops don't have the sort of book that I want.

All the bookshops seem to have on Christianity is books about proving the great flood, and "helping you to understand your relationship with God".

I want to read something a little more objective. There's a lot of books around here that seem to be popular reads for Atheists.

I know I've been really vague here, but I'm hoping some kind souls will just be able to recomend some decent books to check out, relating to Atheism, Christianity, Religion.

Hm, I did just find the book of the month section (I never paid much attention to the site, just checked out the forums as soon as I found it), and there seems to be some good stuff here.

Still, I'd welcome some suggested reading

cjack · 08-25-2002, 10:37 AM

Check out "How We Believe" by Michael Shermer.

oneofshibumi · 08-25-2002, 12:26 PM

Still, I'd welcome some suggested reading
For the Old Testament I would suggest: Friedman, Richard Elliot (1987). Who Wrote The Bible? HarperSanfrancisco. He is professor of Hebrew and comparative literature and holds the Katzin Chair at the University of California, San Diego. He earned his doctorate at Harvard and was a visiting scholar at Oxford and Cambridge. The most accessible I have read. Explains the development of the Old Testament from a critical point of view.

For the New Testament I would suggest: Mack, Burton L. (1989). Who Wrote The New Testament? The Making of the Christian Myth. HarperCollins. Burton is a professor of early Christianity at the School of Theology at Claremont and associate scholar at the Institute for Antiquity and Christianity in Claremont. Explains the social groups and their influence on the individual books of the NT until Canonized by Constantine.

Gurdur · 08-25-2002, 12:50 PM

Definitely read:

The History Of God
by Karen Armstrong

Starboy · 08-25-2002, 03:04 PM

I would add the books by the Jesus Seminar:

"The Five Gospels" and "The Acts of Jesus"

Starboy

Toefur · 08-25-2002, 09:27 PM

Thanks a lot guys, will check them all out

08-25-2002, 06:09 AM	#1
Toefur Junior Member Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Melbourne, Australia Posts: 77	Books to read I've never really gotten around to reading many Christianity related books, and it doesn't help that all the local bookshops don't have the sort of book that I want. All the bookshops seem to have on Christianity is books about proving the great flood, and "helping you to understand your relationship with God". I want to read something a little more objective. There's a lot of books around here that seem to be popular reads for Atheists. I know I've been really vague here, but I'm hoping some kind souls will just be able to recomend some decent books to check out, relating to Atheism, Christianity, Religion. Hm, I did just find the book of the month section (I never paid much attention to the site, just checked out the forums as soon as I found it), and there seems to be some good stuff here. Still, I'd welcome some suggested reading

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08-25-2002, 10:37 AM	#2
cjack Banned Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Arizona Posts: 4,294	Check out "How We Believe" by Michael Shermer.

08-25-2002, 12:26 PM	#3
oneofshibumi Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Chicago Posts: 749	Still, I'd welcome some suggested reading For the Old Testament I would suggest: Friedman, Richard Elliot (1987). Who Wrote The Bible? HarperSanfrancisco. He is professor of Hebrew and comparative literature and holds the Katzin Chair at the University of California, San Diego. He earned his doctorate at Harvard and was a visiting scholar at Oxford and Cambridge. The most accessible I have read. Explains the development of the Old Testament from a critical point of view. For the New Testament I would suggest: Mack, Burton L. (1989). Who Wrote The New Testament? The Making of the Christian Myth. HarperCollins. Burton is a professor of early Christianity at the School of Theology at Claremont and associate scholar at the Institute for Antiquity and Christianity in Claremont. Explains the social groups and their influence on the individual books of the NT until Canonized by Constantine.

08-25-2002, 12:50 PM	#4
Gurdur Contributor Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Buggered if I know Posts: 12,410	Definitely read: The History Of God by Karen Armstrong

08-25-2002, 03:04 PM	#5
Starboy Banned Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Tallahassee, FL Reality Adventurer Posts: 5,276	I would add the books by the Jesus Seminar: "The Five Gospels" and "The Acts of Jesus" Starboy

08-25-2002, 09:27 PM	#6
Toefur Junior Member Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Melbourne, Australia Posts: 77	Thanks a lot guys, will check them all out

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