Story of the Bible

134 Pages·2009·195.997 MB·English

by  Philippa Grafton

SSTTOORRYY
O F
T H E
BBIIBBLLEE
There is no book in the world that rivals the Bible.
Translated in its entirety into over 670 languages, and with an
estimated 6 billion copies printed though history, there’s no
other book that could rival the Bible. But what makes this text
so popular?
In Story of the Bible, trace the fascinating story of the world’s
most popular book, from the roots of its stories in history, to
its role in contemporary society. Uncover the evolution of this
sacred text and find out how the books and Gospels of the Old
and New Testaments found their way into the canon. Find out
how the word of God has stirred controversy and ignited wars.
Elsewhere, we delve into the historicity of the Bible to find out
just how much truth lies in the pages.

SSTTOORRYY
O F
T H E
BBIIBBLLEE
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Part of the
bookazine series
CCOONNTTEENNTTSS
64
THOU SHALT NOT…

EVOLUTION
The ancient Judaic and Christian writings that
became the Bible were unique in bringing
10
together religion and ethics
HOW THE BIBLE
CAME INTO BEING 72
I DO SOLEMNLY SWEAR
The amalgamation over 1,200 years of 66 sacred
From Thomas Jefferson to Tony Blair, discover
writings into the world’s best-selling book is a
the contrasting political influence of the Bible on
reality bordering on the miraculous
each side of the Atlantic
16
LAYING DOWN THE LAW:
80
COURTING CONTROVERSY
BUILDING THE CANON

Problems arose when different interpretations
Which books deserved a place in the Bible?
claimed to be authoritative
The question has obsessed Christianity from its
earliest times to the present day
88
WAR OVER THE WORD
24
ONE JESUS, Exactly why did a book preaching peace and love
FOUR GOSPELS divide people against each other?

Who was Jesus? What was he? Or, as
church-goers might ask, who is he?”
32
THE GNOSTIC GOSPELS:
TRUST
SECRET STORIES OF JESUS

Four gospels have been sanctified by the 102
DIGGING FOR THE TRUTH
Churches. Far more were suppressed as heretical
How archaeological investigation is being used
42
WRESTLING WITH to prove – or disprove – the major events told
in the Bible
THE WORD

Competing versions of the biblical texts have 112
MEN OR MYTHS?

always provoked fierce debate, and translation
The history and archaeology behind some
could lead to scholarly tantrums, schisms, and
of the key figures in the Bible
vengeful persecutions
120
50
THE LIFE OF JESUS
ENDURING ELEGANCE:
THE KING JAMES BIBLE One workman’s monumental impact on history

The King James Bible, conceived as both a
religious and political tool, survives as an
iconic translation of the Scriptures into the
English language
IMPACT
56
A WELLSPRING OF
CREATIVITY

The compelling themes and stories of the
Bible have inspired artists in every genre: from
page to canvas, and from the concert hall to the
silver screen
6
7
EEVVOOLLUUTTIIOONN
10
HOW THE BIBLE
CAME INTO BEING

The amalgamation over 1,200 years of 66 sacred
writings into the world’s best-selling book is a
reality bordering on the miraculous
16
LAYING DOWN THE LAW:
BUILDING THE CANON

Which books deserved a place in the Bible?
The question has obsessed Christianity from its
earliest times to the present day
24
ONE JESUS,
FOUR GOSPELS

Who was Jesus? What was he? Or, as
church-goers might ask, who is he?”
32
THE GNOSTIC GOSPELS:
SECRET STORIES OF JESUS

Four gospels have been sanctified by the
Churches. Far more were suppressed as heretical
42
WRESTLING WITH
THE WORD

Competing versions of the biblical texts have
always provoked fierce debate, and translation
could lead to scholarly tantrums, schisms, and
vengeful persecutions
50
ENDURING ELEGANCE:
THE KING JAMES BIBLE

The King James Bible, conceived as both a
religious and political tool, survives as an
iconic translation of the Scriptures into the
English language
88
99
HOW THE
BIBLE CAME
INTO BEING
The amalgamation over 1,200 years of 66 sacred writings into the
world’s best selling book is a reality bordering on the miraculous
Words by Derek Wilson
W THE ISRAELITE TRADITION
hen we use the word ‘Bible’ we
generally mean the book that is The Israelites formed one element of a large number
composed of the Old Testament of tribal societies dwelling in (and frequently
and the New Testament, competing for control of) what is known as the
accepted by the major branches ‘Fertile Crescent’. This territory, stretching from the
of the Christian Church (though Roman Catholic Persian Gulf to the Nile Valley and incorporating
and Eastern Orthodox leaders accept as canonical – much of modern Iraq, Iran, Syria, Palestine and
ie divinely inspired and, therefore, authoritative – a Egypt, was, as the name suggests, an area of rich,
few writings not recognised as such by Protestants). fertile land, hemmed in by deserts, mountains
Although the earliest texts were written in the and seas. It is not that difficult to understand why
second millennium BCE, some represent stories settlers ended up clashing for control of its natural
and information going much further back in resources or why great empires – Hittite, Sumerian,
time and passed on within the oral traditions of Egyptian, Babylonia, Assyria, Seleucid, Roman – rose
various peoples. They were composed within a and fell here.
geographical area stretching roughly from modern During the prehistoric centuries the varied
Iran to Italy and embracing the lands of the Eastern peoples of the region developed their own stories
Mediterranean littoral. The Old Testament consists to explain their understanding of the world and
of writings created by and revered by the ancient their place in it. These ‘foundation myths’ narrated
Israelites but also includes material common to the activities of the gods believed to be in control
other Middle Eastern cultures. The development of human destiny – gods to whom their devotees
of written language only occurred when nomadic erected huge temples and structures for ritual
peoples began to settle, build towns and became sacrifice. Although some elements of the biblical
aware of national identities. It was in the 12th narrative (notably the story of the Great Flood)
century BCE that the Israelites settled in Canaan, an overlap with some of these myths, the Israelite
area coterminous with modern Palestine though its tradition was always very distinctive.
borders fluctuated considerably over the years due The account of the nation’s prehistory, as
to conflicts with neighbouring nations. eventually set down in Genesis, rapidly moved on
10