Designed for readers who have had limited or no exposure to the academic study of the Bible, An Introduction to the Bible: A Journey into Three Worlds explores the literary, historical, and contemporary "worlds" of the Bible. These include 1) the Biblical text itself (literary world); 2) the contexts in which the Bible was originally written and interpreted (historical world); and 3) the many ways in which the Bible continues to influence people in the twenty-first century (contemporary world). Christian Hauer and William Young's distinctive approach has led students for almost twenty years to appreciate the richness of meaning and interpretation in the history of Biblical scholarship. The text features a full chapter on Jewish life and literature between 200 B.C.E. and 100 C.E., including a discussion of books of the Deuterocanon (Apocrypha), and demonstrates the continuing role of the Bible in religion, politics, art, literature, and music.

• Thoroughly revised and updated introductory chapters, including content on archaeology (e.g., the James ossuary) and recent scholarship (e.g., the historical Jesus discussions).
• Each chapter now concludes with a new section: The Contemporary World: Case Studies, which expands and enriches students' appreciation of contemporary issues related to the Bible.
• Chapter 16 is expanded to explore the Bible's meaning and significance in environmental issues, popular culture, indigenous cultures, Islam and other religions, as well as politics, religion, art, music, and literature.

• NEW - Extensively revised introductory chapters.

  • Content is more accessible and engaging to students.

• NEW - The controversy over the “James Ossuary,” and use of archaeology in the study of the historical world of the Bible is discussed in Chapter 2.

  • Relates a current controversy to biblical study.

• NEW - Case studies in the “Contemporary World” section at the end of Chapters 1-15 and chapter-ending questions.

  • Initiate group discussions about literacy and historical aspects of the Bible in relation to recent controversies.

• NEW - A significantly revised and more accessible Chapter 16—Includes discussion of the role of the Bible in religions other than Judaism and Christianity, particularly Islam.

  • Helps students understand how current events, such as 9/11 have an impact on the interpretation of the Bible today.

• NEW - Revised discussion of the “gospel genre” and expanded treatment of the historical context in which the gospels of Mark and Luke were written.

  • Students are able to relate recent research and studies to the study of the Bible.

• NEW - Additional charts.

  • Help students understand the creation accounts in Genesis and the accounts of the death, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus in the four canonical gospels.

• The “three worlds” literary, historical, and contemporary approaches to studying the Bible.

  • Provides instructors with a helpful framework for organizing the course, drawing on the most recent trends in biblical scholarship. Gives students a clear, easy-to-grasp framework for studying the Bible. Introductory students especially benefit from an approach that keeps the historical and literary worlds separate.

• Recent developments in biblical scholarship—e.g., the Dead Sea Scrolls, archaeology and the Bible, Noah's flood, and the historical Jesus.

  • Keeps instructors and students on the cutting edge of research.

• Clarifying comments and insights throughout based on contemporary research—e.g., the recent work of the controversial “Jesus Seminar” on the life and sayings of Jesus Ch. 11; a discussion of the role of the Bible in the modern environmental crisis and the concern about the future of Native American and other indigenous cultures Ch. 16.

  • Engages students with controversies of which they may not be aware.

• Analysis of the role of the Bible in contemporary American culture—e.g., discusses recent controversies over interpretation of the Bible by modern artists, and the growing influence of the Bible in American popular culture, including television.

  • Stimulates students' awareness of the ways in which the Bible is influencing their lives.

• Contemporary ethical issues—Includes suggested readings from the Bible and discussion questions related to contemporary ethical issues, such as homosexuality.

  • Shows the relevance of religious thought for vexing moral issues.

• Questions for discussion and reflection and chapter summaries—At the end of each chapter.

  • Encourages thoughtful reflection and discussion on some of the most important and provocative questions on the relation of the Bible to contemporary concerns.

• Maps, charts, illustrations, and tables.

  • Maps help students visualize the lands and sites to which the Bible refers; charts show major periods, events, leaders, types of literature, etc.

• Accessible language.

  • Avoids academic jargon that confuses and frustrates students.

• Case studies—Many reflecting questions raised by students in an introductory course on the Bible.

  • Provides for realistic and engaging reflection and discussion on how the Bible is understood in the twenty-first century.

• Updated annotated Bibliography—Includes Internet sites related to biblical research.

  • Assists instructors with course preparation and prompts students with new sources for further research and study.

• An annotated list of movies and documentary films related to the Bible—Includes information on how to obtain them for classroom use.

  • Enriches opportunities for classroom presentations and student research and study.