Book Review - The Land and the Book

Book Review – The Land and the Book

"The Land and the Book - An Introduction to the World of the Bible" by Charles R. Page II and Carl A. Volz (1993: Abingdon Press: Nashville) is a book for everyone who considers themselves a student of the Bible. Paige is Academic Dean of the Jerusalem Center for Biblical Studies in Israel and Volz is Professor of Church History at Luther Northwestern Theological Seminary, St. Paul, Minnesota. Together they have written an informative and easy to read guide which takes its readers through the world of the Bible. The book provides an overview of the geography and the history of the Bible.

The book is made up of three main sections. The first, Background, gives a geographical and historical overview of the land of the Bible. While the geographical overview is brief (pages 18-26), it gives an adequate overview of the four major geographic regions. Of interest is the comparison between Jerusalem (at an elevation of 2400 feet) and Jericho (820 feet below sea level). Although they are only 16 miles apart, there is an elevation difference of 3200 feet and a temperature difference of 40 degrees F.

I consider the historical overview to be the best part of the book. This section covers the patriarchs, the Hebrews in Egypt, the Exodus, the conquest and settlement, the Judges, Saul, the United Monarchy, David, Solomon, the Divided Kingdom, Israel (the Northern Kingdom), Judah (the Southern Kingdom), the Babylonian exile and return, Alexander the Great and Hellenization, the Maccabean revolt and the Hasmoneans, Herod the Great, the fall of Jerusalem, the Life and Ministry of Jesus, the period from the fall of Jerusalem to the Arab conflict, the Islamic conquest, the Crusades and an historical update from the Ottoman period to present day events. This section is concise but well written. It gives the reader an exceptional overview of the major biblical and historical events and shows why this land is considered so sacred to those who claim to be of Christian, Jewish or Islamic origin.

The second part of the book deals with actual biblical sites. The first section describes sites in Israel with the exception of Jerusalem. Each town, city or place is listed in alphabetical order and biblical references are given. A brief overview and a description of brief biblical events then follows. Photos and maps are also included for some of the locations. Caesarea, a place that has always fascinated me, is amply described with good detail and with several photographs.

The next section deals with Jerusalem. Places around Jerusalem along with a description of the Jewish, Armenian, Christian and Muslim quarters are included. The history of the Dome of the Rock is worth noting. The final two sections discuss places around Jordan and some other notable biblical sites like Goshen and the Wilderness of Sin.

Not to be neglected are the Appendixes. This part of the book describes briefly the archaeological method, gives chronological charts, gives a glossary of terms and a notes section, which is quite detailed.

From a historical perspective this book was a fascinating read. It was a good refresher and would make an excellent introductory text for a course in Bible geography and customs. However, it is the authors' approach to a verbal. plenary view of biblical inspiration that I would like to take time discussing.

Throughout this book the authors subtly attack the literal veracity of the Bible. This is found in not only what is written but also in what is not specifically said. In the opening comments of the Historical Overview (page 27) they write:

“Dating the Patriarchs is difficult, and there are several theories concerning their chronology. Some (for example, Leon Wood and Merrill F. Unger) relying on a strict interpretation of biblical chronology, which in turn assumes the historical accuracy and reliability of the biblical texts (italics mine), date the Patriarchal period to the twenty-first century BCE.”

There are two implications inferred by this statement. First of all, there is the indirect assertion that the biblical text is not accurate and reliable. Second, the use of BCE (Before Common Era), may be politically correct, but it seems out of place in a book which purports to introduce the world of the Bible, even if some of that world took place BC (Before Christ).

Under the heading, The Conquest and the Settlement (page 30), they write: “The biblical account provides two separate and distinct versions of the settlement of Canaan.” Once again, the writers appear to assume that there is a problem with the biblical text.

On page 44 the writers refer to “Second Isaiah,” the supposed writer of Isaiah 40-55. In the chronology of the prophets on pages 237-238 the writers list the dates for Isaiah (742-700), second Isaiah (c.540) and third Isaiah (c.530), thus denying the sole authorship of the book of Isaiah by the prophet Isaiah. This again seems to cast doubts upon the accuracy and reliability of scripture since this view often is based on a belief in what is called “prophecy after the fact.” In addition, it is interesting to note that the prophetically and chronologically problematic prophet Daniel is not even listed amongst the chronologies of the prophets.

What is more disturbing are the statements made concerning the gospels. On page 70 the writers state:

“A reconstruction of the history of Jesus’ life and ministry is filled with difficulties. The primary sources—the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John—present the activities and teachings of Jesus from the point of view of the Christian faith, and they do not always agree as to the sequence, chronology, or place of particular events. The following pages intend to offer a simple historical outline, based on a composite reading of all four Gospels, without delving into the numerous complex issues of historical evidence and critical biblical interpretations over which responsible scholars and theologians may disagree.” (italics mine)

Furthermore, the baptism of Jesus is called a “story” (page 71) and several times the writers say “Jesus is said to” or “Jesus is reported to have” or “Jesus probably” (pages 72, 73, 74, 75). Once again the accuracy of scripture is called into question.

All in all, this is a well written and worthwhile book. It is informative and well thought out in a practical, logical manner. I would definitely recommend this book but would feel it necessary to inform other readers that the writers’ views on inspiration do not agree with mine.