The Bible For Dummies (9781119293507) was previously published as The Bible For Dummies (9780764552960). While this version features a new Dummies cover and design, the content is the same as the prior release and should not be considered a new or updated product. Discover the world s all-time bestseller in an entirely new lightNinety percent of Americans own a copy of the Bible, and while it's the most widely read book, it's also the least understood. Regardless of your religion, understanding the Bible brings much of Western art, literature, and public discourse into greater focus from Leonardo da Vinci's "e;Last Supper"e; painting to the Wachowski brothers' The Matrix movies. People have historically turned to religion to deal with tragedy and change, and with the right insight, the Bible can be an accessible, helpful guide to life's big questions. The Bible For Dummies appeals to people of all faiths, as well as those who don't practice any particular religion, by providing interfaith coverage of the entire Bible and the often fascinating background information that makes the Bible come alive. You'll find answers to such questions as: Where did the Bible come from? Who wrote the Bible? How is the Bible put together? Follow the history of the Bible from its beginning thousands of years ago as tattered scrolls to its status as the bestseller of all time. The Bible For Dummies covers these topics and more: Ten people in the Bible you should know The Hebrew Bible The Apocrypha's hidden treasures What's new about the New Testament Israel's wisdom, literature, and love poetry The Bible's enduring influence The prophets: more than fortunetellers Whether you're interested in broadening your spiritual horizons, uncovering the symbolism of Western culture, or gaining a deeper understanding of the book you grew up reading, The Bible For Dummies has all the information you need to navigate this ancient and fascinating book.

The Bible For Dummies (9781119293507) was previously published as The Bible For Dummies (9780764552960). While this version features a new Dummies cover and design, the content is the same as the prior release and should not be considered a new or updated product.Discover the world's all-time bestseller in an entirely new lightNinety percent of Americans own a copy of the Bible, and while it's the most widely read book, it's also the least understood. Regardless of your religion, understanding the Bible brings much of Western art, literature, and public discourse into greater focus--from Leonardo da Vinci's "Last Supper" painting to the Wachowski brothers' The Matrix movies. People have historically turned to religion to deal with tragedy and change, and with the right insight, the Bible can be an accessible, helpful guide to life's big questions.The Bible For Dummies appeals to people of all faiths, as well as those who don't practice any particular religion, by providing interfaith coverage of the entire Bible and the often fascinating background information that makes the Bible come alive. You'll find answers to such questions as:* Where did the Bible come from?* Who wrote the Bible?* How is the Bible put together?Follow the history of the Bible from its beginning thousands of years ago as tattered scrolls to its status as the bestseller of all time. The Bible For Dummies covers these topics and more:* Ten people in the Bible you should know* The Hebrew Bible* The Apocrypha's hidden treasures* What's new about the New Testament* Israel's wisdom, literature, and love poetry* The Bible's enduring influence* The prophets: more than fortunetellersWhether you're interested in broadening your spiritual horizons, uncovering the symbolism of Western culture, or gaining a deeper understanding of the book you grew up reading, The Bible For Dummies has all the information you need to navigate this ancient and fascinating book.

Introduction 1Part 1: What the Bible Is All About 7Chapter 1: From Moses to Modernity: Introducing the Good Book 9Chapter 2: Lights, Camera, Action! Previewing the Bible's Stage and Storyline 25Part 2: Exploring the Hebrew Bible -- The Old Testament 35Chapter 3: Creation, Paradise Lost, and Other Mysteries of Life (Genesis 1-3) 37Chapter 4: The Fallout from "The Fall" (Genesis 4-11) 53Chapter 5: The Babylonian Hillbillies: The Adventures of Abraham and His Family (Genesis 12-25:18) 67Chapter 6: The Birth of a Nation: Isaac, Jacob, and Their Many Children (Genesis 25:19-50) 87Chapter 7: Holy Moses! Exploring Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy 109Chapter 8: An Experiment in Theocracy: Joshua, Judges, and Ruth 135Chapter 9: The King and "I Am": 1 and 2 Samuel 153Chapter 10: A Tale of Two Kingdoms: 1 and 2 Kings and 1 and 2 Chronicles 175Chapter 11: Strangers in a Strange Land: Israel in Exile with Daniel and Esther 197Chapter 12: Home for the Holidays: Returning to the Promised Land with Ezra and Nehemiah 209Chapter 13: More Than Mere Fortune-tellers: The Prophets 219Chapter 14: Israel's Wisdom Literature and Love Poetry: Proverbs, Job, Ecclesiastes, and Song of Songs 237Chapter 15: Rockin' the Temple: Music in Ancient Israel (Psalms) 251Part 3: Revealing the Bible's Hidden Treasures in the Apocrypha 261Chapter 16: Rebels with a Cause: The Books of 1 and 2 Maccabees 263Chapter 17: The Apocrypha's Other "Hidden Treasures" 271Part 4: Discovering What's New About the New Testament 281Chapter 18: From Birth to Baptism: Jesus Prepares for the Ministry (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John) 283Chapter 19: Jesus Christ, Superstar: Jesus' "Ministry Years" (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John) 301Chapter 20: The Early Christian Church (Acts 1-8, 10-12, and 15) 333Chapter 21: The Traveling Salesman of Tarsus: Paul's Life and Letters 347Chapter 22: Wait a Minute, Mr Postman: The New Testament's General Letters 371Chapter 23: The Beginning of the End: The Revelation of John 383Part 5: That Was Then, This Is Now: Discovering the Bible's Enduring Influence 397Chapter 24: The Bible and the Abrahamic Faiths: Judaism, Christianity, and Islam 399Chapter 25: Michelangelo, Milton, and Movies: Art, Literature, Life, and the Bible 407Part 6: The Part of Tens 419Chapter 26: Ten+ People You Should Know from the Bible 421Chapter 27: Ten Holidays You Can Take Thanks to the Bible 429Index 437