Don't Know Much About the Bible
(Part of the Don't Know Much About Series and Don't Know Much About Series)
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Book Overview
With wit, authority, and intelligence, Davis brings the world of the Old and New Testaments to vivid life, setting the panorama of the Scriptures against the historical events that shaped them; clearing up misconceptions and mistranslations; summarizing Bible stories, parables, and miracles; and adding fresh new insights to the world's most owned, least understood book.
Davis is uniquely qualified for the assignment. The creator of the bestselling Don't Know Much About series, which has more than 1.6 million copies in print, he now illuminates the bestselling book of all time using his inimitable question-and-answer approach and providing a key to the people, places, and "household names" we need to unlock "The Greatest Story Ever Told."
Relying on up-to-date research and improved translations, Davis set out to uncover what the Bible says -- and doesn't say. Don't Know Much About the Bible is the result of his efforts and includes the following observations: There are two different Creation stories told in Genesis, but no apple in the Garden of Eden story. Noah invented wine and cursed the son who had seen him drunk and naked. There was no "coat of many colors" in the story of Joseph and his jealous brothers, but rather a long-sleeved robe. Moses didn't write the Torah and he didn't part the Red Sea in his escape from Pharaoh. The Sixth Commandment does not condemn all killing. Jericho's walls may have tumbled down because the city lies on a fault line. King David probably didn't kill Goliath and didn't write the Psalms.
Customer Reviews
Rated 1 starsDon't know much about FAITH!
Condescending to God in a nutshell. (page 268 references to God being occasionally sarcastic, page 354 sentence " If this is divinely inspired, couldn't God get that year right?") What?!? How does anyone know or say if God is sarcastic?! So many contradictions to Gods true character- all knowing, God IS love, etc. These are just two examples - Throughout this book is salt and peppered with negative opinions or insinuations...
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Rated 5 starsConsumer Warning! A Shock Hazard.
Davis has written a superb work of commentary on the Hebrew Bible and the New Testament. It far surpasses the prosaic two volume work by the late Dr. Asimov which, in the main, paraphrases traditional commentary.Don't let the keen Davis sense of humor put you off. His sources, both popular and scholarly, nail down most every issue in keeping with what is known today in my opinion. Most of us in the Judeo-Christian tradition...
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Rated 5 starsAsk yourself: What are you trying to get out of this book?
If you are of the literalist/fundamentalist mindset, you don't want to read "Don't Know Much About the Bible." It WILL violate your sensibilities. Go read the Bible instead.If you are weak in faith, this may not be the best time to be reading "Don't Know Much About the Bible" either. It will do nothing for your soul or any crisis of faith you may be experiencing. Go read the Bible, talk to a minister, priest, friend, therapist,...
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Rated 5 starsA very balanced look at the Bible
It's telling that some of the reviewers of this book feel that Davis is condemning the Bible and other reviewers feel that he has a sympathetic view towards the Bible. That's because this is not a religious book per se. It isn't written with the aim to present a particular view. Instead, this is simply a fairly balanced look at what the Bible actually says. What the reader wishes to believe is a decision left to the...
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Rated 5 starsExcellent and Fact Based
It is always refreshing to read a book about the Bible which doesn't kow tow to the sensibilities of the literal fundamentalist. I found this book intelligent without being condescending, and I found it very accessible. I heard the author on an NPR interview while driving in my car and immediately turned to go get the book. I am not sorry.
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