Preface

Summary

Having devoted more than 65 of my 87 years to an in-depth study of the Bible, I invite you, the reader, to join me in examining key stories from the Old and New Testaments from a scholar's viewpoint. With the help of techniques used by biblical scholars, we will reflect on these stories, comparing simple answers and explanations to more complex and insightful understanding. This is possible only when starting with an open and curious mind and a willingness to set aside preconceived attitudes and perhaps longstanding ideas about biblical “truths.”

While my deep appreciation for the collection of diverse and inspiring literary works that comprise the Bible will undoubtedly be very evident, what I believe myself is a matter of personal faith. My goal is neither to share that nor to influence the reader's beliefs and faith. Instead, my intent is to discuss the results of scholarly research – both mine and that of many others over the past decades – in an effort to provide objective evidence about the content, origin, and meaning of the Bible. This insightful understanding is gained primarily by examining the languages in which the Bible was originally written, considering the historical contexts of the Bible's authors, and analyzing critically what interpretations most accurately capture not only what biblical writers were trying to convey, but also their reasons for doing so.