Testament: The Bible and History

A thorough history of the Old and New Testaments that follows their development and evolution via various hands and multiple translations. A most enjoyable and interesting history.

John Romer's Testament: The Bible and History is an accessible, interesting account of both the Bible in history, and the history of the development of the sacred text. Romer explores various issues according to the timeline of events, incorporating issues of archaeology, textual redaction, philosophy and sociology into the discussion.'Romer does not say things like this to discredit or discount the biblical testimony; far from it, Romer is probably more sympathetic to the idea of divine inspiration than many modern scripture scholars. But he is careful to distinguish interpretation from text, historical development from poetical extension, and let both the historical record and the biblical texts speak for themselves, sometimes in harmony and sometimes in discord.Romer's recounting of the original writing and compilation of the Hebrew scriptures is very interesting. The original need for a 'bible' arose in the face of repeated destructions, exiles, and, particularly, the destruction of the Temple, twice. 'The vice-like pressure of these two national disasters forced into being the Hebrew Bible, which is also the Christian Old Testament. But these disasters also affected the very identity of the God that the ancient books defined. For ancient gods changed when they were uprooted. These gods, with their cults and rituals, were bound into the life and character of the cities and civilisations in which they were first worshipped.'The Bible became a way for the preservation of this way of life and worship, and in the end provided the primary means for the preservation of the identity of the people of Israel even when there was no geographic centre to call home.Romer's discussion of the closing of the canon and subsequent development of the Bible in the Christian world is fascinating, too. From discussions of the early church fathers, such as Jerome, to the political intrigues over the vernacular translations of the Bible in the early Renaissance, he provides interesting details. Speaking of Jerome (during a discussion of the Latin Vulgate): 'At once a saint and among the greatest doctors of the church, Jerome was yet a man of whom it has been said that he was canonised not for his qualities of saintliness, but for the services he rendered the Roman church. Hot-tempered, outspoken, passionately devoted to his work and his friends, Jerome is certainly one of the most extraordinary figures in church history. And doubtless, it is due to this special temperament that his Latin Bible has come to be regarded by many people almost as if it were the unmediated word of God himself.'Of course, many today (especially in America) see the King James Version of the Bible in much the same light. To ignore the background to the development of this Bible does it a disservice; yet, to discount the true inspiration that is apparent on the pages of the King James Version is also to do it a disservice.From the Israel stela of Thebes to the motion pictures of Cecil B. DeMille, this book covers the large expanse of history humour and graceful prose, without getting bogged down in minute points. There is plenty to argue with in this book, but then, of which book on this theme is there not?

Saw the documentary and was happy to see the Book. Great historical information.

Be advised that this edition is a reprint and does not include the photographic plates that were part of the original. Nowhere does the publisher admit this, but they have even left the plate references in the text! Otherwise, a worthwhile book.

This is a great book for a study - but a little dated. You must keep that in mind when reading it. But it is a good foundation for looking at the development of scripture and the culture which produced it.

The single greatest book on the making of the bible and it's effects on western civilization.

Everything Romer writes or presents on film have this almost charming and utterly engaging quality, such that you can see yourself sitting across from him with some pretzels and beer...exploring these huge subject matters in a way that you truly feel enriched. "Testament" without a doubt is the most even-handed and thoughtful exploration into "The Word Of God", and all that it implies. He's passionate yet doesn't preach, nor does he scoff...he instead guides you through this entangled subject matter such that, in the end you can grasp it, and make your own decisions. It's really quite remarkable, because with his intense knowledge, and disarming approach, you leave your prejudges at the door and come away with a wealth of appreciation for the topic. I love this book and the subsequent TV series...a must for everyone to enjoy.

John Romer's Testament: The Bible and History is an accessible, interesting account of both the Bible in history, and the history of the development of the sacred text. Romer explores various issues according to the timeline of events, incorporating issues of archaeology, textual redaction, philosophy and sociology into the discussion.Romer subscribes to the basic, academically-accepted division of authors for the Hebrew scriptural development (J, P, D, etc.). But instead of simply recounting the theories, he interjects personality into his discussion, talking about Ezra as a strong possibility for redactor, and going into the issues, personally and religiously, that would have impacted his work at compilation and redaction.Romer also recounts a lot of legendary material. The gravesite of Eve, the pools and ponds of Abraham (including the carp of Abraham that is still caught and eaten to this day), the various sites identified as pilgrimage sites by Romans and then later Crusaders -- these bring up lots of extra-biblical folklore that is truly interesting when coupled with the Biblical text. 'In popular imagination they [Abraham's people] are condemned to bend under the Egyptian lash, make pyramids and palaces. But this vision, both of ancient Egypt and the foreigners who came to live there, is largely false, and serves only to distort our understanding of the Egyptian stories in the Old Testament.... For just as the ancient Egyptians in their day had thought the rest of the world to be somewhat primitive, so many Western historians have similarly regarded the ancient Egyptians; a part of an old colonial dream of sensuous cruelty mixed with simpleness. It is certainly a world that neither the ancient Egyptians nor Abraham ever knew.'Romer does not say things like this to discredit or discount the biblical testimony; far from it, Romer is probably more sympathetic to the idea of divine inspiration than many modern scripture scholars. But he is careful to distinguish interpretation from text, historical development from poetical extension, and let both the historical record and the biblical texts speak for themselves, sometimes in harmony and sometimes in discord.Romer's recounting of the original writing and compilation of the Hebrew scriptures is very interesting. The original need for a 'bible' arose in the face of repeated destructions, exiles, and, particularly, the destruction of the Temple, twice. 'The vice-like pressure of these two national disasters forced into being the Hebrew Bible, which is also the Christian Old Testament. But these disasters also affected the very identity of the God that the ancient books defined. For ancient gods changed when they were uprooted. These gods, with their cults and rituals, were bound into the life and character of the cities and civilisations in which they were first worshipped.'The Bible became a way for the preservation of this way of life and worship, and in the end provided the primary means for the preservation of the identity of the people of Israel even when there was no geographic centre to call home.Romer's discussion of the closing of the canon and subsequent development of the Bible in the Christian world is fascinating, too. From discussions of the early church fathers, such as Jerome, to the political intrigues over the vernacular translations of the Bible in the early Renaissance, he provides interesting details. Speaking of Jerome (during a discussion of the Latin Vulgate): 'At once a saint and among the greatest doctors of the church, Jerome was yet a man of whom it has been said that he was canonised not for his qualities of saintliness, but for the services he rendered the Roman church. Hot-tempered, outspoken, passionately devoted to his work and his friends, Jerome is certainly one of the most extraordinary figures in church history. And doubtless, it is due to this special temperament that his Latin Bible has come to be regarded by many people almost as if it were the unmediated word of God himself.'Of course, many today (especially in America) see the King James Version of the Bible in much the same light. To ignore the background to the development of this Bible does it a disservice; yet, to discount the true inspiration that is apparent on the pages of the King James Version is also to do it a disservice.From the Israel stela of Thebes to the motion pictures of Cecil B. DeMille, this book covers the large expanse of history humour and graceful prose, without getting bogged down in minute points. There is plenty to argue with in this book, but then, of which book on this theme is there not?

Having watched the Channel 4 programme and was particular interested in the life of Saint Jerome, I was very pleased to find this book.

Yes, John Romer is a brilliant presenter and author. I loved the TV series and think it is a real shame that it is not available as a DVD series. Book is great, no complaints, brings this fascinating period alive.

Although published some years ago, this text remains a fascinating juxtaposition between the Bible and archaeological/historical evidence. John Romer is not only a seasoned digger, he also writes engagingly holding this reader's attention throughout. I am particularly interested in the comparative mythologies and the determinative influence of other traditions on the biblical stories.

Came within the allotted time and in a good state of repair as promised