★ 03/09/2015
When a highly respected scholar and writer such as Cox (The Future of Faith) writes a simply titled book about a complicated text, readers can justifiably wonder how practical and understandable such a work will be. Scholars and students alike will be gratified by this pragmatic but profoundly insightful volume. Beginning with a masterful exposition of the composition of the Pentateuch, and finishing with a careful look at the historical and theological underpinnings of Revelation, Cox lays out a road map for reading and understanding the Bible and exploring its spiritual nature without compromising its literary and historical complexity. Throughout this fine work, the author offers “Study Tips” to guide the reader to a deeper understanding of Scripture; they will facilitate use of the book in study groups. The Bible is a complex, textured volume that can amaze and inspire, but also confuse and perplex. Cox has given readers a great gift—a clear path toward a fuller and richer appreciation for the sacred text. (Apr.)
How to Read the Bible
Narrated by Jim Denison
Harvey CoxUnabridged — 9 hours, 20 minutes
How to Read the Bible
Narrated by Jim Denison
Harvey CoxUnabridged — 9 hours, 20 minutes
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Overview
In How To Read the Bible, Cox explores three different lenses commonly used to bring the Bible into focus: literary-as narrative stories of family conflict, stirring heroism, and moral dilemmas; history-as classic texts with academic and theological applications; and
activism-as a source of dialogue and engagement to be shared and applied to our lives.
By bringing these together, Cox shows the Bible in all its rich diversity and meaning and offers us a contemporary activist version that wrestles with issues of feminism, war, homosexuality, and race. The result is a living resource that is perpetually evolving as our understanding changes and deepens from generation to generation.
Editorial Reviews
” An absolutely masterful book by one of the great theologians of our age, and of inestimable value to both scholars and beginners.” — James Martin, SJ, author of Jesus: A Pilgrimage
“Fifty years later Cox… is still provocative. How to Read the Bible is a tour through both the Bible and the history of biblical criticism. Cox shows he has lost none of his talent for expressing complex ideas in accessible ways.” — U.S. Catholic
“Scholars and students will be gratified by this pragmatic but profoundly insightful volume. The Bible is a complex, textured volume that can amaze and inspire, but also confuse and perplex. Cox has given readers a great gift—a clear path toward a fuller and richer appreciation for the sacred text.” — Publishers Weekly, Starred Review
“In this important book, Cox takes readers of all ages and all spiritual traditions on an excursion through some of the most confounding and deeply difficult questions bible reading has to offer. Best of all, he shows us how to go beyond the words and so become more spiritual.” — Joan Chittister, OSB, author of Between the Dark and the Daylight: Embracing the Contradictions of Life
“Cox reads the Bible as an engaging storyteller who portrays the real life drama embodied in the narratives. He also reads as a scholarly interpreter of texts, and a source of experiencing the spiritual life. Read and you will discover an integrated and intriguing way to read the Bible.” — Murray W. Dempster, Director of the Center for the Study of Global Pentecostalism at Southeastern University
“No one who reads this will ever again approach the Jewish or Christian scriptures in the same way. This is a must read for the religious, the secular, and everyone in between. A monumental work, and fun to read.” — Alan Dershowitz, Felix Frankfurter Professor of Law emeritus at Harvard and author of Abraham: The World's First (But Certainly Not Last) Jewish Lawyer
“Harvey Cox is a trustworthy and fearless guide to the Bible who brings us into dialogue with all its dimensions—from the literary and historical to the spiritual and political. In Cox’s company, the Bible becomes again a book that can change our lives.” — Stephanie Paulsell, Houghton Professor of the Practice of Ministry Studies, Harvard Divinity School
“Weaving individual stories with contemporary biblical criticism, Cox presents a case for reading the Bible both as an intellectual discipline and a spiritual journey…. A handy introduction for those who are interested in a constructive analysis of the Bible.” — Library Journal
“Whether he is following in the footsteps of Moses…[or] looking over the shoulders of Gospel writers…Cox proves to be a skillful interpreter of the Bible. How to Read the Bible shines and shimmers with all the wisdom Cox has accrued from many years of teaching.” — Spirituality & Practice
“Harvard’s famous, forward-looking professor of divinity… Harvey Cox demonstrates how various critical methods clarify [the Bible’s] meanings at the time it was written and in ages thereafter, thereby helping readers answer questions about its meaning now. For thoroughgoing amateur Bible students, a godsend.” — Booklist
“Harvey Cox does a service to anyone seeking to look at the Bible through 21st century lenses… What Cox manages with bringing the text into a new generation is a breath of fresh air [and]… a renewed heart for the scriptures... Cox brings a conversation back to the Bible.” — Clarion: Journal of Spirituality and Justice
“If How to Read the Bible is read by the average American, our arguments about the Bible will be much more informed—and much less contentious. ... A splendid work by a renowned scholar.” — The Association of Mormon Letters
“Harvey Cox, professor of divinity at Harvard Divinity School and a well-traveled interpreter of things secular and spiritual, provides a word of guidance to those who wish to find in the Bible spiritual meaning for today.” — Christian Century
“How to Read the Bible is an engaging, inspirational and accessible book by one of America’s pre-eminent scholars of religion, Harvey Cox.” — National Catholic Reporter
“Cox has made an important contribution to building bridges between churches and the academy.” — Anglican Theological Review
Cox reads the Bible as an engaging storyteller who portrays the real life drama embodied in the narratives. He also reads as a scholarly interpreter of texts, and a source of experiencing the spiritual life. Read and you will discover an integrated and intriguing way to read the Bible.
No one who reads this will ever again approach the Jewish or Christian scriptures in the same way. This is a must read for the religious, the secular, and everyone in between. A monumental work, and fun to read.
Harvard’s famous, forward-looking professor of divinity… Harvey Cox demonstrates how various critical methods clarify [the Bible’s] meanings at the time it was written and in ages thereafter, thereby helping readers answer questions about its meaning now. For thoroughgoing amateur Bible students, a godsend.
Harvey Cox is a trustworthy and fearless guide to the Bible who brings us into dialogue with all its dimensions—from the literary and historical to the spiritual and political. In Cox’s company, the Bible becomes again a book that can change our lives.
In this important book, Cox takes readers of all ages and all spiritual traditions on an excursion through some of the most confounding and deeply difficult questions bible reading has to offer. Best of all, he shows us how to go beyond the words and so become more spiritual.
Fifty years later Cox… is still provocative. How to Read the Bible is a tour through both the Bible and the history of biblical criticism. Cox shows he has lost none of his talent for expressing complex ideas in accessible ways.
Whether he is following in the footsteps of Moses…[or] looking over the shoulders of Gospel writers…Cox proves to be a skillful interpreter of the Bible. How to Read the Bible shines and shimmers with all the wisdom Cox has accrued from many years of teaching.
” An absolutely masterful book by one of the great theologians of our age, and of inestimable value to both scholars and beginners.
Harvey Cox, professor of divinity at Harvard Divinity School and a well-traveled interpreter of things secular and spiritual, provides a word of guidance to those who wish to find in the Bible spiritual meaning for today.
If How to Read the Bible is read by the average American, our arguments about the Bible will be much more informed—and much less contentious. ... A splendid work by a renowned scholar.
Cox has made an important contribution to building bridges between churches and the academy.
How to Read the Bible is an engaging, inspirational and accessible book by one of America’s pre-eminent scholars of religion, Harvey Cox.
Harvey Cox does a service to anyone seeking to look at the Bible through 21st century lenses… What Cox manages with bringing the text into a new generation is a breath of fresh air [and]… a renewed heart for the scriptures... Cox brings a conversation back to the Bible.
Harvard’s famous, forward-looking professor of divinity… Harvey Cox demonstrates how various critical methods clarify [the Bible’s] meanings at the time it was written and in ages thereafter, thereby helping readers answer questions about its meaning now. For thoroughgoing amateur Bible students, a godsend.
03/15/2015
Cox (divinity, Harvard Univ.; The Secular City) could have easily titled this approachable volume "Ways To Read the Bible," because he offers so may "how-tos." Weaving individual stories with contemporary biblical criticism (or as he prefers, "analysis"), Cox presents a case for reading the Bible both as an intellectual discipline and a spiritual journey. While this is not a comprehensive or systematic survey, the author does demonstrate many of the methods used, from various types of literary criticism to archaeology to historical and sociological examinations. The books of the Bible reviewed highlight these principles, and Cox notes that different passages lend themselves to varied techniques. Cox also covers the major groupings found in the Bible. Because the author includes his personal narrative, one comes away finding that critical tools do not limit one's reading of scripture but allow it to grow and address living concerns. Cox intersperses his account with a number of useful study tips and concludes with suggestions for further reading. VERDICT A handy introduction for those who are interested in a constructive analysis of the Bible but aren't sure where to start.—James Wetherbee, Wingate Univ. Libs., NC
Product Details
| BN ID: | 2940177549903 |
|---|---|
| Publisher: | EChristian, Inc. |
| Publication date: | 02/25/2020 |
| Edition description: | Unabridged |
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