A Concise Dictionary of Bible Origins and Interpretation

Description

Concise, convenient and comprehensive: this handy dictionary will inform and enlighten all who want to understand how the Bible came together, the history of the various texts behind it, the versions in which it has appeared, the process of editing and compilation, and the different methods of interpretation that have developed over the centuries. Much of this material can be found in larger reference works and commentaries, but most students and lay people find that most of these books are written by scholars for scholars, which means the reader can feel bogged down in too much technical detail. Informed by the latest advances in biblical scholarship, this handy dictionary provides the reader with concise, manageable information on all the key issues and topics. It will be especially helpful to students of religion and related subjects, as well as to religious educators in schools, colleges and churches of all denominations.

Alec Gilmore is a Baptist minister in the UK with a lifetime's experience in pastoral work, lay training and adult education. His most recent books are Preaching as Theatre (SCM), Aid Matters (SCM) and A Dictionary of Bible Origins (SAP/Continuum).

"A Concise Dictionary of Bible Origins & Interpretation reflects the latest advances in biblical scholarship, conveying to readers concise information on the key issues and topics.... What Gilmore does do is avoid error, acknowledge variety, cover what seemed essential to an understanding of the issues and encourage readers to use the book with an open mind and then pursue more detailed and varied study in other places...Reflecting the latest advances in biblical scholarship, A Concise Dictionary of Bible Origins & Interpretation is a handy and fascinating dictionary equipping readers with concise, manageable information on all the key issues and topics. It will be especially helpful to students of religion and related subjects and to religious educators in schools, colleges and churches of all denominations."- Sir Read A Lot, April 2007 -- Sir Read A Lot "...an amazing work for one person to have written and the author does it very well."- Robert T. Anderson -- Robert T. Anderson "Here's a book that will provide endless inspiration and information for preachers and Bible students. Gilmore has put together a rich variety of detail on all aspects of the Bible...Full of fascinating facts, it is the sort of book that can be handily dipped in to for nuggets of information...as a concise and useful reference book, this has a great deal to commend it." -- Church of England Newspaper "One of the strengths of this dictionary is its discussion of technical matters related to the biblical text and textual criticism. As such it will be of value to any student who is starting his or her theological studies...By way of conclusion, I do not think the dictionary does justices to its title: A Concise Dictionary of Bible Origins and Interpretation...much of what it offers is useful and interesting. I think that this dictionary should be helpful for a beginning student who is not familiar with the technical terms related to textual aspects of biblical criticism or perhaps the different Bible translations. The bibliography at the end, with suggestions for extra reading, is also valuable." -Jan G. van deer Watt, Review of Biblical Literature, October 2008 "highly original book" "a great idea deserved a more careful execution" Journal for the study of the New Testament, 30 May 2008 -- Peter J. Lalleman "This work is very comprehensive dictionary of ancient and modern scholars, manuscripts, translations, versions, types of analyses and scholarly terms related to the origin, and study of the Bible. It is a good home reference work for anyone studying the Bible...There is an extensive and appropriate bibliography." -Robert T. Anderson, American Reference Books Annual, 2008, Vol. 39 -- Robert T. Anderson Reviewed in International Review of Biblical Studies, 2007. "This dictionary is a convenient one-stop shop for anyone wanting to know how the Bible came together and how it has been interpreted since... a handy reference work that any serious Bible scholar would want on their shelves" - David Dewey, Baptist Times, October 2007 -- David Dewey * Baptist Times * 'Students and interested readers will enjoy this remarkable tool.' Bibliotheca Sacra * Bibliotheca Sacra * 'A fascinating book that should be available in any good reference library.' New Library World * Blurb from reviewer * 'A useful volume which brings together a mass of information... this book will prove invaluable, particularly to those to whom this is a new area of study.' -- Theological Book Review * Blurb from reviewer * "Recommended. Lower-level undergraduates and general readers." -Choice * Choice * 'It is quite remarkable how much information has been squeezed into such a short book, and browsing is a fascinating exercise.' Expository Times * Expository Times * "...a valuable 'way in' to Biblical Studies and related issues" -- H. Kraus * Journal for the Study of the Old Testament * 'Remarkably comprehensive...useful and well-conceived.' Religious Studies Review * Religious Studies Review *