Engaging the Christian Scriptures: An Introduction to the Bible

This readable, affordable, and faith-friendly introduction to the Bible aids students as they engage in their first informed reading of the biblical text in an academic setting. The authors, who have significant undergraduate teaching experience, approach the Christian Scriptures from historical, literary, and theological perspectives. The book is designed for a one-semester course and is meant to be read alongside the biblical text, enabling students to become educated readers of the Bible. In the process, it introduces critical perspectives and approaches without undermining the theological claims found in the Christian Scriptures. The book includes text boxes, illustrations, maps, and suggestions for further reading. A test bank for professors is available through Baker Academic's Textbook eSources.

Table of Contents:
Contents 1. Places to Begin Why Read the Bible? How Did We Get the Bible? How Shall We Read the Bible? Suggested Reading 2. Pentateuch The Old Testament World Primeval History Ancestral Stories Exodus and Covenant Sojourn in the Wilderness Theological Reflection: Creation and Covenant Suggested Reading 3. Former and Latter Prophets Historical and Social Contexts of the Prophets Settlement in the Land (Joshua and Judges) Movement to Monarchy (Samuel and Kings) The Latter Prophets Exile and Beyond Theological Reflection: Crises of Monarchy and Exile Suggested Reading 4. Writings The Context of the Writings Poetry and Worship Poetry and Wisdom Daniel The Five Scrolls Theological Reflection: Faith and Culture Suggested Reading 5. Between the Testaments Sociohistorical Developments Religious Beliefs and Practices in Antiquity Suggested Reading 6. The Gospels and the Acts of the Apostles The World of the Gospels The Genre and Literary Tradition of the Gospels The Gospel according to Mark The Gospel according to Matthew The Gospel according to Luke The Gospel according to John The Acts of the Apostles Theological Reflection: Unity and Diversity Suggested Reading 7. Paul and the Pauline Tradition Paul's Life, Ministry, and Letters The First Letter of Paul to the Thessalonians The Letter of Paul to the Galatians The First Letter of Paul to the Corinthians The Letter of Paul to the Romans Additional Undisputed Letters of Paul The Pauline Tradition Theological Reflection: The Contours of Paul's Theology Suggested Reading 8. The General Letters and Revelation The World of Early Christians The Letter to the Hebrews The Letter of James The First Letter of Peter The Second Letter of Peter and the Letter of Jude The Johannine Letters The Revelation to John Theological Reflection: A Fitting Conclusion Suggested Reading Indexes

About the Author :
Andrew E. Arterbury (PhD, Baylor University) is associate professor of Christian Scriptures at Truett Theological Seminary, Baylor University, in Waco, Texas. W. H. Bellinger Jr. (PhD, University of Cambridge) is the W. Marshall and Lulie Craig Chairholder in Bible, professor of religion, and chair of the Department of Religion at Baylor. Derek S. Dodson (PhD, Baylor University) is senior lecturer in religion at Baylor.