The Bible for Dummies (For Dummies (Lifestyle)) (1ST ed.)

Biographical Note:

Jeffrey Geoghegan, PhD and Michael Homan, PhD have authored and coauthored numerous books and articles about the Bible.

• Gain a better understanding of the Bible
• Follow the Bible's story from beginning to end
• Get to know all the major books in the Bible

Explore the world's bestselling book

What is the Bible all about? Who wrote it? What's the difference between Jewish and Christian Bibles? Featuring an interfaith perspective, handy maps, and enlightening discussions of the Bible's vast cultural influence, this reference guide provides answers to these questions and presents fascinating facts that bring the Bible to life.

Inside…

• A look at the Old Testament
• An introduction to the Apocrypha
• The scoop on the New Testament
• A meet-and-greet of biblical characters
• Lists of books found in the Bible

Introduction 1

Part 1: What the Bible Is All About 7

Chapter 1: From Moses to Modernity: Introducing the Good Book 9

Chapter 2: Lights, Camera, Action! Previewing the Bible's Stage and Storyline 25

Part 2: Exploring the Hebrew Bible -- The Old Testament 35

Chapter 3: Creation, Paradise Lost, and Other Mysteries of Life (Genesis 1-3) 37

Chapter 4: The Fallout from "The Fall" (Genesis 4-11) 53

Chapter 5: The Babylonian Hillbillies: The Adventures of Abraham and His Family (Genesis 12-25:18) 67

Chapter 6: The Birth of a Nation: Isaac, Jacob, and Their Many Children (Genesis 25:19-50) 87

Chapter 7: Holy Moses! Exploring Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy 109

Chapter 8: An Experiment in Theocracy: Joshua, Judges, and Ruth 135

Chapter 9: The King and "I Am" 1 and 2 Samuel 153

Chapter 10: A Tale of Two Kingdoms: 1 and 2 Kings and 1 and 2 Chronicles 175

Chapter 11: Strangers in a Strange Land: Israel in Exile with Daniel and Esther 197

Chapter 12: Home for the Holidays: Returning to the Promised Land with Ezra and Nehemiah 209

Chapter 13: More Than Mere Fortune-tellers: The Prophets 219

Chapter 14: Israel's Wisdom Literature and Love Poetry: Proverbs, Job, Ecclesiastes, and Song of Songs 237

Chapter 15: Rockin' the Temple: Music in Ancient Israel (Psalms) 251

Part 3: Revealing the Bible's Hidden Treasures in the Apocrypha 261

Chapter 16: Rebels with a Cause: The Books of 1 and 2 Maccabees 263

Chapter 17: The Apocrypha's Other "Hidden Treasures" 271

Part 4: Discovering What's New About the New Testament 281

Chapter 18: From Birth to Baptism: Jesus Prepares for the Ministry (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John) 283

Chapter 19: Jesus Christ, Superstar: Jesus' "Ministry Years" (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John) 301

Chapter 20: The Early Christian Church (Acts 1-8, 10-12, and 15) 333

Chapter 21: The Traveling Salesman of Tarsus: Paul's Life and Letters 347

Chapter 22: Wait a Minute, Mr Postman: The New Testament's General Letters 371

Chapter 23: The Beginning of the End: The Revelation of John 383

Part 5: That Was Then, This Is Now: Discovering the Bible's Enduring Influence 397

Chapter 24: The Bible and the Abrahamic Faiths: Judaism, Christianity, and Islam 399

Chapter 25: Michelangelo, Milton, and Movies: Art, Literature, Life, and the Bible 407

Part 6: The Part of Tens 419

Chapter 26: Ten+ People You Should Know from the Bible 421

Chapter 27: Ten Holidays You Can Take Thanks to the Bible 429

Index 437

Discover the world's all-time bestseller in an entirely new light

Ninety percent of Americans own a copy of the Bible, and while it's the most widely read book, it's also the least understood. Regardless of your religion, understanding the Bible brings much of Western art, literature, and public discourse into greater focus--from Leonardo da Vinci's "Last Supper" painting to the Wachowski brothers' The Matrix movies. People have historically turned to religion to deal with tragedy and change, and with the right insight, the Bible can be an accessible, helpful guide to life's big questions.

The Bible For Dummies appeals to people of all faiths, as well as those who don't practice any particular religion, by providing interfaith coverage of the entire Bible and the often fascinating background information that makes the Bible come alive. You'll find answers to such questions as:

• Where did the Bible come from?
• Who wrote the Bible?
• How is the Bible put together?

Follow the history of the Bible from its beginning thousands of years ago as tattered scrolls to its status as the bestseller of all time. The Bible For Dummies covers these topics and more:

• Ten people in the Bible you should know
• The Hebrew Bible
• The Apocrypha's hidden treasures
• What's new about the New Testament
• Israel's wisdom, literature, and love poetry
• The Bible's enduring influence
• The prophets: more than fortunetellers

Whether you're interested in broadening your spiritual horizons, uncovering the symbolism of Western culture, or gaining a deeper understanding of the book you grew up reading, The Bible For Dummies has all the information you need to navigate this ancient and fascinating book.