The Bible as History

This class will use the Bible text as a history book. We will look at the Bible and see how it correlates with archaeological findings as well as with other texts from the ancient world. Additionally, we will discuss the geopolitical and geographical context into which the Biblical text came into being. Issues to be discussed include who were the peoples mentioned, where did they come from, and how were they organized.

Required Reading: A good translation of the Bible. Recommended Readings: Bernhard Anderson, Understanding the Old Testament, ISBN 978-0139359255, and/or John Bright, A History of Israel, ISBN 978-0664220686.

Ted Stainman is a retired Air Force chaplain and a graduate of Hebrew Union College. He has previously taught several courses on religion in America.