With new research, additions regarding Jesus' birth and ministry, a new preface, and updated citations, From Abraham to Paul, Second Edition offers a historical tour of the Bible from the life of Abraham to the second missionary journey of the Apostle Paul. Author Andrew E. Steinmann reveals firstly that key events-like the Conquest of the Promised Land or the birth of Jesus-can be reasonably narrowed down to a time and place within our history. Secondly, he acknowledges the complexity of history. Many events and issues discussed come with polarizing discourse, but Steinmann remains focused on the evidence-often arriving at conclusions in the middle.
Review :
"Andrew Steinmann has placed biblical scholarship in his debt by this meticulous and magnificent addition to (indeed, replacement of) such magisterial works on biblical chronology as those by Edwin Thiele and Jack Finegan, the former limited to Israel's United Monarchy and the latter embracive of the full canon. Grounded in primary texts, Steinmann lays out here a foundation that doubtless will provide the basis for all subsequent discussions of biblical chronology, an indispensable preliminary to a proper understanding of the biblical narrative."
-Eugene H. Merrill, PhD, Distinguished Professor of Old Testament Studies, Dallas Theological Seminary, Distinguished Professor of Old Testament Interpretation, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary
"I can see this work appealing to both specialists and non-experts in the field, and indeed even to interested laypeople. Its combination of detailed table of contents, well organized and straightforward presentation, and especially the abundance of charts and graphics suggests that it will serve well as a reference tool. I very much appreciate Dr. Steinmann's even-handed and respectful tone. I say this because, although Steinmann assumes an unabashedly conservative posture with respect to the Scriptures and the Church's traditional hermeneutic, he does not shy away from engaging scholarship that proceeds from different presuppositions. While arguing against opinions and conclusions with which he is at odds-for example those of higher critics-Steinmann does not belittle or condescend. . . . Where he synthesizes and explains the well-founded conclusions of previous scholarship, he does so clearly and effectively. On the other hand, in those places where he challenges consensus views and presents new proposals, he does so persuasively, on the basis of careful research and well-reasoned arguments."
-Robert A. Sorensen, PhD, Associate Professor of Greek and Theology, Concordia University Chicago
"Readers familiar with standard works in this field such as Merrill's Kingdom of Priests will be pleased to find much new information in this volume. New insights into the Quirinius census, the matching of Jubilee/Sabbatical year cycles with the date of the Exodus, the timing of the Magis' visit, and the sequence of events of the Passion Week-including the moon "turning to blood" immediately after the death of the Messiah-are part of Dr. Steinmann's intensely interesting study. Laymen and scholars alike will find their faith strengthened by the precision and factuality of the Bible in historical matters."
-Rodger C. Young, Independent Historian and Chronologist, St. Louis, Missouri
