Scripture and Cosmology - by Kyle Greenwood (Paperback)

About the Book

Kyle Greenwood introduces readers to ancient Near Eastern cosmology and the ways in which the Bible speaks within that context. He then traces the way the Bible was read through Aristotelian and Copernican cosmologies and discusses how its ancient conceptions should be understood in light of Scripture's authority and contemporary science.

Book Synopsis

Kyle Greenwood introduces readers to ancient Near Eastern cosmology and the ways in which the Bible speaks within that context. He then traces the way the Bible was read through Aristotelian and Copernican cosmologies and discusses how its ancient conceptions should be understood in light of Scripture's authority and contemporary science.

Review Quotes

"A very thorough survey, from the ancient Near East as the setting of the Bible through the Christian West's use of the Bible in cosmological theories. And a very sensible closing chapter on the authority of Scripture and the issue of science, respecting the Bible for what it is and for what it is not. Even when we disagree on particular judgments along the way, we owe our thanks to Dr. Greenwood for this indispensable resource and for the friendly, learned and reverent tone throughout."

"Greenwood's Scripture and Cosmology provides an excellent survey of ancient cosmology, biblical cosmological language, and how interpreters of the Bible adjust to tensions produced by changes in scientific cosmology."

"In the modern conversation about science and Scripture we can easily get the impression that throughout history Christian interpreters spoke with a clear and unanimous voice, upholding Scripture against science. This book not only gives us a clear understanding of the view of the cosmos found in the ancient world and in Scripture, it helps us see the many issues that biblical interpreters have struggled with throughout the centuries. It thus provides important information to help us sort through the issues that face us today."

"Kyle Greenwood provides us with fascinating details of the ancient Near Eastern view of our universe. His thorough biblical analysis shows how this view permeates the Bible, giving us a better understanding of the message that God has for us in his Word. Scripture and Cosmology will be a vital resource for everyone seeking to understand the Scriptures."

"Scientific discoveries have caused us to view the universe in completely different ways than the biblical writers. This book not only explains these differences but shows how Christians can understand them in theologically beneficial ways that enhance our readings of Scripture. Instead of being a threat to Christian belief, modern science can help us read the Bible better and deepen our appreciation of God's beauty. Because of modern science we will never again be able to read the Bible in the ways that ancient Christians did. Greenwood shows us the way forward by giving us a theologically rich reading of Scripture that embraces scientific advances. If Christianity is going to survive in the West, it must adopt the approach to reading the Bible that Greenwood offers us in this book."

"The Bible reveals God in ways that speak to all cultures, but does so from its human authors' own ancient cultures. Kyle Greenwood's Scripture and Cosmology explores one particular cross-cultural pressure point, the structure of the cosmos, by tracing this theme through the culture of the ancient Near East, the biblical writings and biblical interpreters who worked when early modern cosmological ideas were taking root. This example helpfully clarifies some of the difficulties Christians face as they seek God's revelation for today's culture."

"What does the universe look like? From the three-tiered cosmos of the ancient near eastern peoples, to the spheres of Aristotle, to the heliocentric model of Copernicus, to evolutionary biology, God's people have lived through thousands of years of change in the prevailing view of the universe. How have readers throughout history worked to take Scripture seriously in light of new scientific discoveries? Filled with rich historical and biblical detail and thorough scholarly references, this book shines the light of history on today's debates over Scripture and science."

"With good success, Greenwood has pursued the difficult task of addressing a topic from a multidisciplinary approach, so that Scripture and Cosmology forms something of an entry-level primer on the subject, reader-friendly both in terms of style and its condensed length. . . . Greenwood's tone is winsome and pastoral; rather than writing to refute the Bible's gainsayers, he has endeavored to help the challenged believer."

About the Author

Kyle Greenwood (PhD, Hebrew Union College) is associate professor of Old Testament and Hebrew language at Colorado Christian University. He is the author of several studies of the Old Testament in its ancient Near Eastern environment.