Status
Call number
Collection
Publication
Description
Tradition suggests Mary Magdalene was a prostitute and Jesus was born in a barn. But what does the Bible really say? Armed with her theology degree, archaeological experience, and sharp wit, Amanda Hope Haley clears up misconceptions of Bible stories and encourages you to dig into Scripture as it is written rather than accept versions altered by centuries of human interpretations. Providing context with native languages, historical facts, literary genres, and relevant anecdotes, Haley demonstrates how Scripture-when read in its original context-is more than a collection of fairy tales or a massive rule book. It's God's revelation of Himself to us. She teaches you to . . . - Understand how the books of the Bible were written, transmitted, and translated. - Recognize the differences between genuine Scripture and popular doctrines. - Boldly seek God in His own words, ask questions of tradition, and find answers in the texts. -.Grow in your understanding of God and appreciation of the Bible's intimate and complex revelation of His nature. It's time to abandon the gods of tradition, and meet God in His Word.… (more)
User reviews
"Could Aaron have been trying to call down God to them (Exodus 32:4)? Could the Israelites have been worshipping their "unseen God" above the small calf they'd made (v. 6)? The text seems to support this interpretation because the feast day they were honoring was
"Archaeologists have found images of winged snakes throughout the ancient Near East, most pertinently on a seal that belonged to an Israelite temple priest. Monsters such as the cherub and the seraph were considered divine guardians in the ancient world; that is why they are found in temples--to warn people away from power of the supernatural. As winged poisonous serpents, the creature who is cursed by God to move "on your belly" and "eat dust all the days of your life" after tempting Eve (Genesis 3:14) just might have been a seraph. Having disobeyed God, he was "cut down to the ground," as Lucifer had been cast out of heaven (Isaiah 14:12). We are never told why the serpent appeared where he did in the garden, so it is worth considering that he may have been stationed at the tree of knowledge to keep the humans away from it, as God would later station cherubim east of Eden after he expelled Adam and Eve (Genesis 3:24)."
I would describe this book as a great introduction to Biblical hermeneutics for people who are rather scared of that long, unfamiliar word. I learned some things from this book (like the above quotes). Hermeneutics was in my top 3 favorite college classes and I think that this book is as engaging as my favorite professor was.