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tinido's review against another edition
challenging
informative
reflective
slow-paced
3.75
Ich habe eine sehr ordentliche evangelische Sozialisation und ziemlich gute religiöse Bildung, habe aber hier noch ein Menge gelernt. Aber genau dafür habe ich das auch gelesen: Wenn man ein bisschen in der Bibel herumliest, merkt man einfach, dass das niemals als einheitliches Buch gedacht war. Dazu kommen die zahllosen Geschichten und Aussagen, die sich oder den Dingen widersprechen, die man so als Inhalte des christlichen Glaubens so kennt. Wenn man solche oder ähnliche Fragen in Bezug auf die Bibel hat, dann ist das ein wirklich gutes Buch, um sich einen Überblick über den Stand der Forschung zu verschaffen und über die Fragen, die da gestellt werden. Besonders positiv hervorheben will ich, dass die Geschichte der jüdischen Bibel immer mit betrachtet wird, zumindest bis zur Aufklärung, konkret bis zu Spinozas Tractatus theologico-politicus. (Das sind ca. 2/3 des Buches). Danach, finde ich, lässt es deutlich nach, was auch damit zu tun hat, dass es dann eigentlich nicht mehr um Kanonisierungsprozesse und biblische Philologie geht (wo Barton super ist und gerade auch für Lai*en gut erklärt, was da abläuft), sondern darum, was mit der Bibel passiert, wenn Hochstilisierung zum Heiligen Text, Massenverbreitung und historisch-kritische De-Mythologisierung aufeinandertreffen. Da zieht sich Barton dann auf eine, wie ich finde, sehr unkritische liberale Tradition und Haltung zurück, wo er doch vorher so detailliert gezeigt und argumentiert hat, dass erst der intensive Gebrauch das Heilige Buch macht und dass es sich mit dem Gebrauch immer wieder ändert. Aber davon sollte man sich nicht abhalten lassen, das Buch zu lesen: Ich denke, man bekommt so eine kondensierten Überblick über 3.000 Jahre Geschichte der Bibel, der wissenschaftlich seriös und sehr gut lesbar ist, nirgends sonst.
seathegoll's review against another edition
informative
medium-paced
4.0
A good history. Moves fast but very informative.
fractaltexan's review against another edition
challenging
informative
reflective
medium-paced
4.5
Barton's work is a foundational work on the history of the Bible that is both easily accessible to the regular reader, and comprehensive in offering a well-rounded Jewish and Christian understanding of the Book as it came to be written.
This book gave me a better understanding of the intricacies of the Bible, how it came to be written, the different Sources such as J, Q, and D, and gave a history of the interpretation and themes of the Bible throughout the ages.
This book gave me a better understanding of the intricacies of the Bible, how it came to be written, the different Sources such as J, Q, and D, and gave a history of the interpretation and themes of the Bible throughout the ages.
sarahlreadseverything's review against another edition
4.0
So very very interesting. I learnt much about the history of the bible as a document in itself, and its interpretation through time (by both Judaism and Christianity). There are valuable corrections of some of the common misunderstandings about the bible (misunderstandings on behalf of both those that subscribe to one of the two aforementioned faiths and those who do not).
Aside from the general knowledge, the books central argument (at least as I see it) - that both Jews and Christians are prone to willfully misinterpreting the Bible and its history in order to make it better fit our modern faith, when this is really not necessary for the continued maintenance of that faith and our respect for the Bible's place in it - was well-reasoned and persuasive.
Aside from the general knowledge, the books central argument (at least as I see it) - that both Jews and Christians are prone to willfully misinterpreting the Bible and its history in order to make it better fit our modern faith, when this is really not necessary for the continued maintenance of that faith and our respect for the Bible's place in it - was well-reasoned and persuasive.
sarahlreadseverything's review against another edition
4.0
So very very interesting. I learnt much about the history of the bible as a document in itself, and its interpretation through time (by both Judaism and Christianity). There are valuable corrections of some of the common misunderstandings about the bible (misunderstandings on behalf of both those that subscribe to one of the two aforementioned faiths and those who do not).
Aside from the general knowledge, the books central argument (at least as I see it) - that both Jews and Christians are prone to willfully misinterpreting the Bible and its history in order to make it better fit our modern faith, when this is really not necessary for the continued maintenance of that faith and our respect for the Bible's place in it - was well-reasoned and persuasive.
Aside from the general knowledge, the books central argument (at least as I see it) - that both Jews and Christians are prone to willfully misinterpreting the Bible and its history in order to make it better fit our modern faith, when this is really not necessary for the continued maintenance of that faith and our respect for the Bible's place in it - was well-reasoned and persuasive.
laurapk's review against another edition
3.0
The book deserves no doubt a higher rating but I was not the audience. The book is very detailed and if you're looking for a quick overview of the structure of the Bible--look elsewhere. This is a text for scholars, less so for general readers.
wordsmithreads's review against another edition
4.0
An incredibly in-depth account of the historical and literary background and evolution of the Bible. Note: Probably best understood by those who are not new to Christian texts, like me.
I think I would reread this. I enjoyed it enough that I never felt like, “Ugh, can this be over now?” which is impressive, given the length of it. However, because I came in with a very small working knowledge of the Bible, a lot of this ended up going over my head. I think I would read it again, physically, reading one chapter or so a month to really understand it, as it’s (in a good way!) very dense.
I think I would reread this. I enjoyed it enough that I never felt like, “Ugh, can this be over now?” which is impressive, given the length of it. However, because I came in with a very small working knowledge of the Bible, a lot of this ended up going over my head. I think I would read it again, physically, reading one chapter or so a month to really understand it, as it’s (in a good way!) very dense.
wordrevel's review against another edition
4.0
Initial thoughts: Lots of food for thought in this book. Since I listened to the audiobook, I feel I got more of an overarching understanding of the author's arguments. For the depth of information and to be able to further research and verify his claims, I will need to obtain a printed (or ebook) version of it to re-read and annotate as I go along again.
My most salient takeaway is that it's important for us to figure out what constitutes historical accounts, what are moral instructions of sorts, what is many to be prophecy and what was written as an allegory when reading the Bible. These aren't always immediately evident though, which also explains why Protestant (and across these denominations too), Catholic and Jewish approaches to biblical texts vary so much. Definitely worth looking more into to better understand the different interpretations.
My most salient takeaway is that it's important for us to figure out what constitutes historical accounts, what are moral instructions of sorts, what is many to be prophecy and what was written as an allegory when reading the Bible. These aren't always immediately evident though, which also explains why Protestant (and across these denominations too), Catholic and Jewish approaches to biblical texts vary so much. Definitely worth looking more into to better understand the different interpretations.