This book is the first complete guide to the present state of biblical studies. Intended for students and non specialist readers, i t covers all the methods and approaches currently practised in the academic study of the Bible, as well as examining the major categories of books in the Bible from the perspective of recent scholarship. The twenty-one specially commissioned chapters are written by established scholars from North America and Britain, and represent both traditional and contemporary points of view.
Contents1. Introduction John Barton
Part I. Lines of Approach: 2. Historical-critical approaches John Barton 3. Literary readings of the Bible David Jasper 4. The social world of the Bible Keith W. Whitelam 5. Poststructuralist approaches: new historicism and postmodernism Robert P. Carroll 6. Political readings of scripture Tim Gorringe 7. Feminist interpretation Ann Loades 8. Biblical studies and theoretical hermeneutics Anthony Thiselton 9. The Bible and Christian theology Robert Morgan 10. Biblical study and linguistics William Johnstone 11. Aspects of the Jewish contribution to biblical interpretation Stefan C. Reif 12. The Bible in literature and art Stephen Prickett
Part II. Biblical Books in Modern Interpretation: 13. The Pentateuch Joseph Blenkinsopp 14. The historical books of the Old Testament Iain Provan 15. The prophetic books Robert R. Wilson 16. The poetic and wisdom books Robert Alter 17. The synoptic Gospels and Acts of the Apostles: telling the Christian story Pheme Perkins 18. John and the Johannine literature: the woman at the well John Ashton 19. The Pauline letters James D. G. Dunn 20. The non-Pauline letters Frances Young 21. Apocalyptic literature James VanderKam
