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When you browse through the daily paper, what catches your eye? Pictures and headlines, right? Derek Williams, journalist and clergyman, has applied this observation to the Bible and come up with a fascinating mix of readable stories and biblical scholarship.
"The purpose of this book is to enable you to see the biblical drama clearly in its wider cultural context," writes Williams. "At the same time, we have attempted to present that drama in a fresh way. . . . as though each event has just happened and is being reported by an eyewitness."
The contents are arranged in biblical order. "Murderer flees the country" screams the report of Moses fleeing Egyptian royal court. The dateline is "East Delta, Egypt, c,1320 B.C."
Turning several pages (and centuries), we see "Stolen ark proves too hot to handle for its captors" for an article describing the Philistine return of the Ark of the Covenant in 1 Samuel 4:1 - 7:1. New Testament accounts are intriguing. "Ever on a Sabbath? Pop preacher gives rules a welcome break" is a full-page article about Jesus giving "Sabbath first aid normally restricted to fallen donkeys; and the Pharisees got a flea in their ear." Another article "The First Circular Letters" reports on Paul's letters to the young churches. This last article in the book concludes with "the church, despite persecution, is growing thoughout the Roman world."
Maps and boxed "Fast Facts" are inserted to give background information. Over 600 full-color pictures and photographs add to the lively text in this oversize book.
The Biblical Times could be called a Bible novelty with its tone of immediacy and subtle humor, but it also teaches much about biblical events related in a fresh and enjoyable way.
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