The Bible For Dummies (9781119293507) was previously published as The Bible For Dummies (9780764552960). While this version features a new Dummies cover and design, the content is the same as the prior release and should not be considered a new or updated product.
Discover the worlds 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 focusfrom 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 knowThe Hebrew BibleThe Apocrypha's hidden treasuresWhat's new about the New TestamentIsrael's wisdom, literature, and love poetryThe Bible's enduring influenceThe 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.
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 Bibles 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 13) 37
CHAPTER 4: The Fallout from The Fall (Genesis 411) 53
CHAPTER 5: The Babylonian Hillbillies: The Adventures of Abraham and His Family (Genesis 1225:18) 67
CHAPTER 6: The Birth of a Nation: Isaac, Jacob, and Their
Many Children (Genesis 25:1950) 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: Israels 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 Bibles Hidden Treasures in the Apocrypha 261
CHAPTER 16: Rebels with a Cause: The Books of 1 and 2 Maccabees 263
CHAPTER 17: The Apocryphas Other Hidden Treasures 271
Part 4: Discovering Whats 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 18, 1012, and 15) 333
CHAPTER 21: The Traveling Salesman of Tarsus: Pauls Life and Letters 347
CHAPTER 22: Wait a Minute, Mr Postman: The New Testaments 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 Bibles 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
