Title
The Birth of God: The Bible and the Historian,Used
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For many people today, the Hebrew Bible is the one supreme channel through which the Word of God was transmitted to humanity. In The Birth of God, Jean Bottro, one of the worlds leading figures in Ancient Near Eastern Studies, approaches the Bible from a different perspective. He sees in it an astounding variety of documents that reveal much of their time of origin, historical events, and climates of thought. Therefore, we owe to the Bible at least the same respect we give to Homer, Shakespeare, and other classics of world literature. The Birth of God addresses questions that 'educated people' usually avoid when the topic of the Bible comes up: What is the Bible if we consider it a historical document? Bottro is fully aware of the special place the Bible has in the circles of many faithful Jews and Christians, but he focuses on the need for an understanding of Israel as a major root of our entire Western tradition. With grace and insight, he brings out the extraordinary originality of Israels questions and ideas, many of which have shaped our thinking ever since. In Bottros hands, Moses, Job, Isaiah, Jeremiah, and other familiar figures take on real life and present to us thoughts we might never have associated with the Bible. He also treats such topics as the origins of the world according to the Bible and original sin. In one remarkable chapter, Bottro offers a new translation of Ecclesiastes, which casts this biblical book in an entirely new light. Bottro is a scholar of rare abilities. Internationally respected for his work as a philologist, literary critic, and historian, he is also adept at writing for a popular audience. The Birth of God has been widely read in France, where it was first published in 1986. With this expert translation, Englishspeaking readers can now enjoy the book for the first time. Upon reading it, many a reader is likely to reflect: 'Whenever I have said God, in whatever tone of voice, could I ever have meant anyone else than the God of the Bible?'
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- Q: What is the main theme of 'The Birth of God: The Bible and the Historian'? A: The main theme of the book is to explore the Hebrew Bible as a historical document, revealing its origins, historical context, and the significant ideas that have influenced Western thought.
- Q: Who is the author of 'The Birth of God'? A: The author is Jean Bottéro, a renowned scholar in Ancient Near Eastern Studies.
- Q: What type of binding does this book have? A: This book is available in hardcover binding.
- Q: When was 'The Birth of God' first published? A: The book was first published in France in 1986 and was later translated into English, released on November 1, 2000.
- Q: How many pages are in 'The Birth of God'? A: The book contains 256 pages.
- Q: What unique perspective does Jean Bottéro offer in the book? A: Bottéro provides a fresh perspective by treating the Bible as a collection of historical documents, encouraging readers to consider its literary and cultural context.
- Q: Does the book address controversial topics related to the Bible? A: Yes, the book addresses questions often avoided by educated individuals, including topics like the origins of the world according to the Bible and the concept of original sin.
- Q: Is 'The Birth of God' suitable for a general audience? A: Yes, the book is written for a popular audience, making complex ideas accessible without sacrificing scholarly rigor.
- Q: What is the significance of the new translation of Ecclesiastes included in the book? A: The new translation of Ecclesiastes offers a fresh interpretation that sheds new light on this biblical text, enhancing the reader's understanding of its themes.
- Q: Can readers expect to gain a deeper understanding of biblical figures from this book? A: Yes, Bottéro brings biblical figures like Moses, Job, and Isaiah to life, presenting their thoughts in a way that encourages deeper reflection on their significance.