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Engaging the Christian Scriptures: An Introduction to the Bible. By Andrew E. Arterbury, W. H. Bellinger Jr., and Derek S. Dodson. Grand Rapids: Baker, 2014, xii + 276 pp., $26.99 paper.
A trio of authors has combined to produce a Bible primer from a critical perspective. Andrew E. Arterbury serves as associate professor of Christian Scriptures at Truett Theological Seminary, Baylor University. W. H. Bellinger Jr. is the W. Marshall and Lulie Craig Chairholder in Bible, professor of religion, and chair of the Department of Religion at Baylor. Derek S. Dodson serves as senior lecturer in religion at Baylor.
In a well-written and engaging style, this book blends the topics of Bible introduction and Bible survey. As an introduction, it touches on the areas of canonicity, textual criticism, higher criticism, and archaeology. As a survey, it covers issues of authorship, dating, structure, theme, and Bible backgrounds (i.e. history, culture, and geography).
Following the prolegomena, each chapter discusses a major section of Scripture, whether the Pentateuch, Prophets, Writings, Gospels and Acts, Paul and Pauline tradition, or the General Epistles and Revelation. One chapter addresses the intertestamental period (chap. 5). The chapters conclude with a list of suggested resources for further reading. Maps, illustrations, and sidebars frequent the pages, and indexes of Scripture and subject cap the volume.
Insightfully, the authors draw out some of the literary aspects of the biblical books. For instance, the treatment of Genesis 12-50 recognizes the eminence of the Abrahamic covenant throughout the ancestral narratives: "This theme of the ancestral covenant promise and counter...