The Meaning of the Bible - by Douglas a Knight & Amy-Jill Levine (Paperback)

About the Book

In The Meaning of the Bible: What the Jewish Scriptures and Christian Old Testament Can Teach Us, preeminent biblical scholars Douglas A. Knight and Amy-Jill Levine deliver a broad and engaging introduction to the Old Testament--also known as the Tanakh or Hebrew Bible--offering a wealth of compelling historical background and context for the sacred literature that is at the heart of Judaism and Christianity. John Shelby Spong, author of Re-Claiming the Bible for a Non-Religious World writes, "Levine and Knight have combined to write a book on the Bible that is as academically brilliant as it is marvelously entertaining. By placing our scriptures into their original Jewish context they have opened up startling and profound new insights. This is a terrific book."

Book Synopsis

In The Meaning of the Bible: What the Jewish Scriptures and Christian Old Testament Can Teach Us, preeminent biblical scholars Douglas A. Knight and Amy-Jill Levine deliver a broad and engaging introduction to the Old Testament--also known as the Tanakh or Hebrew Bible--offering a wealth of compelling historical background and context for the sacred literature that is at the heart of Judaism and Christianity. John Shelby Spong, author of Re-Claiming the Bible for a Non-Religious World writes, "Levine and Knight have combined to write a book on the Bible that is as academically brilliant as it is marvelously entertaining. By placing our scriptures into their original Jewish context they have opened up startling and profound new insights. This is a terrific book."

From the Back Cover

What the Bible Really Says About Politics, Sex, Creation, Suffering, and More

Review Quotes

"From its superb introduction to its perfectly worded conclusion, this book does it all. Whether your interest in the Bible is historical or literary, specific texts or broad themes, this book has it--and conveys its relevance for today. The authors are learned, respected scholars who, above all, in giving their perspectives and interpretations, write clearly. Their uncomplicated, attractive style makes learning a pleasure. I recommend this book for general readers, for students, for teachers - well, basically, for everybody." - Richard Elliott Friedman, author of Who Wrote the Bible? and The Bible Now

"Amy-Jill Levine and Douglas A. Knight have combined to write a book on the Bible that is as academically brilliant as it is marvelously entertaining. By placing our scriptures into their original Jewish context they have opened up startling and profound new insights. This is a terrific book." - John Shelby Spong, author of Re-Claiming the Bible for a Non-Religious World

"Knight and Levine have written a winsome, accessible introduction to the theological thought of the Hebrew Bible. With a congenial exhibit of critical scholarship, they remain, in their thematic approach, at a descriptive level. But they allow room for and affirm the ways in which the biblical text can fund and form on-going interpretations in faith, both Jewish and Christian. This sort of irenic, thoughtful linkage of criticism and interpretation within a confessing tradition is exactly what we most need in Scripture reading." - Walter Brueggemann, Professor Emeritus, Columbia Theological Seminary

"A book we have needed for years - learned and accessible, clearly organized by the topics readers care about, and fully engaged with current discussions of deep and broad significance. It will 'work' everywhere and with everyone, Jews and Christians, committed or curious, in and out of the classroom. Knight and Levine know what they are talking about, and just as important, know how to talk about it." - William Brosend, Executive Director, the Episcopal Preaching Foundation

"If anyone thinks the fruit of biblical scholarship is esoteric and heavy reading, direct that person to this book. In it, Knight and Levine demonstrate both their scholarly proficiency and their expertise as seasoned educators. Unlike traditional introductions that focus primarily on historical, literary, or theological aspects of the Bible, here the material is treated thematically, with important historical, literary, and theological data woven together, thus revealing the rich yet complex character of the various themes. Despite the volume of information gathered in these pages, the authors have managed to present it in a style that is eminently readable without minimizing its multifaceted character. This book should appeal to a broad audience." - Dianne Bergant, CSA, Catholic Theological Union

"A helpful resource for both Jews and Christians, conservatives and liberals, religious leaders and social reformers. Its authors provide new knowledge on the Bible's rich diversity of teaching on sexuality, familial and ethnic discord, political corruption, religious infidelity, economic exploitation as well as the nature of God, faith, love, and social justice. It is both enlightening and inspiring." - Peter J. Paris, the Elmer G. Homrighausen Professor of Christian Social Ethics, Emeritus, Princeton Theological Seminary

"If anyone thinks the fruit of biblical scholarship is esoteric and heavy reading, direct that person to this book. In it, Knight and Levine demonstrate both their scholarly proficiency and their expertise as seasoned educators. This book should appeal to a broad audience." - Dianne Bergant, CSA, Catholic Theological Union

"Knight and Levine have done a marvelous job of taking very sophisticated material and presenting it in an illuminating and thoroughly engaging way that bespeaks of excellent scholarship by two distinguished teachers." - Carol J. Dempsey, OP, Ph.D, Professor of Theology, University of Portland, and author of Reading the Bible, Transforming Conflict

"A highly accessible . . . survey that is in tune with current scholarship." - Library Journal

"At last we have a text rich in information, creative in approach, and accessible to students and general readers of the Bible. Knight and Levine have done a marvelous job of taking very sophisticated material and presenting it in an illuminating and thoroughly engaging way that bespeaks of excellent scholarship by two distinguished teachers. I look forward to using this superb volume in my own Biblical Traditions and Cultures course." - Carol J. Dempsey, OP, Ph.D, Professor of Theology, University of Portland, and author of Reading the Bible, Transforming Conflict

"More than random facts about the Hebrew Bible . . . more than a historical overview . . . [t]hey are aiming for true understanding of the life, culture, and practices of the ancient Israelites." - Booklist

"A winsome, accessible introduction to the theological thought of the Hebrew Bible. This sort of irenic, thoughtful linkage of criticism and interpretation within a confessing tradition is exactly what we most need in Scripture reading." - Walter Brueggemann, Professor Emeritus, Columbia Theological Seminary

"From its superb introduction to its perfectly worded conclusion, this book does it all. Whether your interest in the Bible is historical or literary, specific texts or broad themes, this book has it--and conveys its relevance for today. " - Richard Elliott Friedman, author of Who Wrote the Bible? and The Bible Now

"Provides new knowledge on the Bible's rich diversity of teaching on sexuality, familial and ethnic discord, political corruption, religious infidelity, economic exploitation as well as the nature of God, faith, love, and social justice. It is both enlightening and inspiring." - Peter J. Paris, the Elmer G. Homrighausen Professor of Christian Social Ethics, Emeritus, Princeton Theological Seminary

"A book we have needed for years - learned and accessible, clearly organized by the topics readers care about, and fully engaged with current discussions of deep and broad significance." - William Brosend, Executive Director, the Episcopal Preaching Foundation