How the Bible Was Built

by James W. Bennett and Charles Merrill Smith

Book Overview

The Bible continues to be the world's runaway best-seller. But very few people could say just how its seemingly disparate jumble of writings -- stories, letters, poems, collections of laws, religious visions -- got there. Filling this knowledge gap, How the Bible Was Built clearly tells the story of how the Bible came to be. Penned by Charles Merrill Smith in response to his teenage granddaughter's questions, the manuscript was discovered after...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0802829430
• ISBN13: 9780802829436
• Release Date: September 2005
• Publisher: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company
• Length: 109 Pages
• Weight: 0.35 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.3" x 5.3" x 8.3"

Customer Reviews

Very informative book

This book has lots of easy to understand information.It answered most of my questions about the compilation of the bible.

It's about time!

Hey God, I'm Home"How the Bible Was Built" is the most informative colection of information that I have come across since I involved myself in the Bible thirty years ago. This, for me, puts the construction of the Scriptures into an understandable foremat. Smith and Bennett led me down a path that I would never have uncovered had their book not been "put in my path." Although I had some of the information prior to reading the book, I learned new thoughts and it reaffirmed much of what I knew. I would suggest that it be required reading for every Preacher, Priest and anyone else who spreads the Word Of God. They can then let their congregation think for themselves; come to their own conclusions. I would say that this is a book that will help you to stop letting other people do your thinking for you. G. Peter Duffy; Author of "Hey God, I'm Home."

Great Overview of a Difficult Topic

This book is a great overview of the development of the Bible. It is more of a pamphlet since it provides no documentation for the information presented. It answers the basic questions and would be a great tool for both the church and colleges to introduce controversial topics. In the academic sphere, it could be used as a syllabus for an Introduction to the Bible class and as a first day assignment for both Hebrew Bible/Old Testament and New Testament survey courses. Since the book is directed to high-school-aged people, the writing flows well and simply without being pedantic. It is a quick read, but packed with good information that could be the foundation for more in-depth analysis of Redaction Criticism, Source Criticism, the canonization process, "heretical" movements, the Synoptic Problem, and most other major biblical studies topics. As a professor who has taught both OT/HB and NT surveys and courses, I find this book a great, non-threatening way to introduce controversial topics and open the door to great discussions and research assignments.

A superb introduction to just how the Bible did come to be as we know it today

Knowledgeably co-written by the late United Methodist Minister Charles Merrill Smith (1919-1985) and is long time friend and award winning author of several young adult novels, James W. Bennett How The Bible Was Built is a superb introduction to just how the Bible did come to be as we know it today. As an in-depth exploration of what influences, ideas, concepts, people, and visions were inspiration for the gathering and writing of the Bible, How The Bible Was Built offers readers a greater understanding and premise to work from when viewing the unfathomable records of such a holy and influential scripture. How The Bible Was Built is very strongly recommended to all students of the Holy Bible (be they clergy, laymen, or theology students) for its casual and easy-to-read formatting, filled with educated and invaluable understandings from first page to last.

A Good Introduction to the History of the Bible

Smith has done a great service in writing this brief, easy to understand overview of the history of our modern Bible. It will satisfy most of the questions people have about translations, versions, and who decided what books to include. I wish he had incuded a list of books for those who want to delve further into this topic, or for those who wonder where he got his information.