Don't Know Much About The Bible
Everything You Need to Know About the Good Book but Never Learned
By Kenneth C. Davis
Perennial - 2001 (Reprint)
Nonfiction / Religion / Reference

Reviewed by George Weeaks, MyShelf.Com
Buy a Copy

Many readers don't understand the Bible when they first read it, just as some may not understand a Broadway play or an Opera. The reason being, they know very little about the characters or the story's background. What I discovered about Davis's "Don't Know Much About the Bible" is that it gives a better insight into backgrounds of the Bible's characters and events. The author's explanations are more in-depth and give the reader a better view of what the bible is saying, making them more than just a story.

As an experienced reader, I didn't learn any more than I already knew, but I did see things from a different perspective. One piece that stood out was the section on women heroes and how these women played their part in shaping the history documented in the bible.

Davis set the chapters up with a list of questions, then proceeds to answers them. He includes "Milestones in Biblical Times" (historical dates), "Bible Voices" (scriptures), and "Plot Summary" (popular bible stories summaries). His opinion can also be found throughout; some were agreeable, some were not. For instance, his opinion of the Old Testament story of crossing the Red Sea is not something I think is agreeable. He believes it wasn't the Red Sea at all, but instead a marsh. I recall watching a show on the Discovery channel in which scientists proved the parting of the Red Sea, right down to the chariot wheels lined up at the bottom of the Red Sea.

The tongue-in-cheek chapter titles are a unique approach to the subjects they contain. For example: the title of the chapter that explains Judges and Ruth is entitled "Why, Why, Why, Delilah?"

Davis remarks that parts of the Bible have been mistranslated. With that much information, there has bound to be some. But let me say this: I've learned over the years, one must be skeptical and curious to learn the truth, and one should never take another's "opinion" as gospel. When it comes to the Word, ones' faith will have the final say.

© MyShelf.Com. All Rights Reserved