Is the Bible True? - Hardcover

Sheler, Jeffrey

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0060675411 ISBN 13: 9780060675417

Publisher: HarperCollins, 1999

Synopsis

A fascinating search for the historical truth contained in the Bible examines current debates on the historical Jesus, explores archaeological discoveries that both agree with and challenge the Bible, and much more.

About this title

Review:

What this book is not: a partisan (Jewish or Christian) account declaring the absolute historical accuracy of the Bible. What it is: a fair-minded exploration of the question of the Bible's historical truth. Author Jeffrey Sheler is a journalist (religion correspondent for US News and World Report) who relies extensively on interviews, onsite reports from Israel and Egypt, and a lot of library research. Instead of claiming to offer any startling breakthroughs, the book gives the reader an even-handed treatment of this immensely controversial text. In a style that is clear and conversational, Sheler walks the reader through key moments in the Hebrew Bible and in the New Testament, exploring the grounds for the historical truth behind such figures as Abraham, Moses and David, and behind such scriptural accounts as the Flood and the Exodus. Sheler retells the astonishing story of the discovery of the Qumran (Dead Sea) scrolls, and explores their significance for our understanding of first-century Judaism and early Christianity. He also discusses at length the work of the controversial Jesus Seminar scholars. His own conclusions, while not fundamentalist, are also not deconstructive: "After all of the scholarly scrutiny", he writes, "the Bible emerges affirmed but not unscathed, a credible but complex chronicle of humanity's encounter with God". --Doug Thorpe

Synopsis:

Examines current debates on the historical Jesus, and explores archaeological discoveries that both agree with and challenge the Bible.

About this edition

• Publisher: HarperCollins
• Publication date: 1999
• ISBN 10: 0060675411
• ISBN 13: 9780060675417
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 278