Andrew E. Arterbury - Engaging the Christian Scriptures: An Introduction to the Bible

We intend for this volume to serve as an introductory textbook to the Christian Scriptures for students who are engaging in an informed reading of the Bible within an academic setting. Because we believe the biblical texts should function as the primary texts in such a setting, we have crafted this textbook to function as a supplemental resource. For example, we have focused our readers attention on the prevailing conversations and leading opinions within the field of biblical studies on most subjects. In other words, we have not attempted to provide exhaustive descriptions of every academic conversation about the Bible, but rather we have striven to introduce the most important conversations for students who are encountering the field of biblical studies for the first time. In the process, we have intentionally created a manageable, accessible, and affordable textbook that aims first and foremost to benefit students rather than their professors.

Methodologically, we have employed a contextual approach to the Christian Scriptures, giving attention to historical, literary, and theological contexts. Rather than telling students about the Bible, we aim to help students become educated readers of the Bible. Furthermore, while introducing critical perspectives and approaches, we have simultaneously attempted to highlight and to underscore the theological claims found within the Christian Scriptures rather than to critique or to deconstruct those claims. Consequently, our title reflects our aim. We hope beginning students will engage the Christian Scriptures. Ideally, this textbook will function as the supplemental resource that empowers students to do just that.

In this second edition of Engaging the Christian Scriptures , we have added a glossary (terms that appear there are bolded on first use in the main text), introduced some new material, updated previous material, and sought to improve the overall flow of the book. As a result, this new or updated material equates to about twenty percent of the book.

We want and need to thank many people who have helped us envision and publish this second edition of Engaging the Christian Scriptures . For starters, we are grateful to the fine people at Baker Academic. In particular, Bryan Dyer, our acquisitions editor, provided encouragement and wise counsel from the first to the last. In addition, James Korsmo, the project editor, kept us on schedule and greatly enhanced the readability and layout of this second edition. Furthermore, Sarah Gombis assembled a robust marketing strategy for the book. Thanks to all of you. Likewise, we are grateful for B. J. Parkers creative illustrations, the feedback and proofreading work that Rebecca Whitten Poe Hays, Amanda Brobst-Renaud, Kim Williams Bodenhamer, and Josiah Hall provided, and the assistance that Rebecca Whitten Poe Hays and Valerie Fisk provided in the compilation of teacher resources. We also wish to thank Baylor University for the means and resources that allowed us to tackle a project like this one, and we are grateful for the support provided by President Linda Livingstone, Provost Nancy Brickhouse, Dean Lee Nordt, Dean Todd Still, and the faculty of the Department of Religion and the George W. Truett Theological Seminary.