The Bible
John Riches's investigation of what is perhaps the world's most influential text gives a clear, comprehensible overview, along with in-depth research on the Bible's origins, writing, and development. Riches looks at Biblical criticism, the book's wide-ranging cultural impact, why it has been the product of multiple interpretations and uses, and how it has been exploited for political gain.
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It is sometimes said that the Bible is one of the most unread books in the world, yet has been a major force in the development of Western culture and continues to exert an enormous influence over many people's lives. This Very Short Introduction looks at the importance accorded to the Bible by different communities and cultures and attempts to explain why it has generated such a rich variety of uses and interpretations. It explores how the Bible was written, the development of the canon, the role of Biblical criticism, the appropriation of the Bible in high and popular culture, and its use for political ends.
1. Who reads the bible?; 2. How the Bible was written; 3. The making of the Bible; 4. The Bible in the world of the believers; 5. The Bible and its critics; 6. The Bible in the non-western world; 7. The Bible in high and popular culture; 8. The Bible in politics; 9. Conclusion; Further reading; Index
