A History of the Bible

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This book explores the Bible's construction and interpretation from its origins to the present. John Barton examines the diverse narratives, laws, proverbs, prophecies, poems, and letters that make up the Bible, detailing their authorship, intended meanings, and interrelations. He sheds light on familiar passages, revealing the sources and traditions behind them, as well as the roles of scribes and editors in shaping the text. Barton unravels how certain texts were deemed holy and included in the canon, while others were excluded, illustrating that the Bible is not a static document but a product of a complex evolution. He traces its dissemination, translation, and interpretation within Judaism and Christianity, highlighting how meaning has been both derived from and imposed on the text. The book's originality lies in its examination of the divide between religion and scripture, showing how they do not always align. Barton discusses how influential thinkers from Augustine to Luther and Spinoza have grappled with this relationship. Ultimately, he argues that to view the Bible as 'authoritative' requires a departure from traditional beliefs held in the past.