A General Introduction to the Bible / Edition 1

by Norman L Geisler, William E. Nix

Overview

This book is about the Bible—the most important book that has existed in the history of the world. As you turn the pages of this revised and expanded edition, you will discover how to navigate the Bible with careful scholarship.

You will gain key insights such as:

• Inspiration—who wrote the Bible?
• Canonization—which books belong to it?
• Transmission—has it been accurately preserved?
• Translation—has it been adequately translated?

The history of the doctrine of inspiration, contemporary theories of revelation, recent trends in textual criticism, and a review of modern English Bible translations are all included. This book gives special emphasis to conservative scholarship and provides clearly defined responses to the negative criticism that undermines the authority of the Bible.

The most important book in the world must be handled with precision and understanding. Engage this valuable resource to better know the God of the Bible.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780802429162
Publisher:	Moody Publishers
Publication date:	08/08/1986
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	728
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x 1.66(d)

About the Author

NORMAN GEISLER (Th.B., William Tyndale College; A.B., Wheaton College; M.A., Wheaton College Graduate School; Ph.D., Loyola University) Distinguished Professor of Apologetics at the Veritas Evangelical Seminary in Murrieta, California. He was the author or co-author of some 80 books including A General Introduction to the Bible, Baker Dictionary of Christian Apologetics, Christian Ethics, and Systematic Theology. He also wrote hundreds of articles. He and his wife of 57 years, Barbara, have six children, fifteen grandchildren, and three great grandchildren.

WILLIAM E. NIX (A.B., Wayne State University; A.M., University of Michigan; Ph.D., University of Oklahoma) is an editorial and educational consultant based in Dallas, Texas. He has taught at several colleges and seminaries, and served as Dean at Southern Evangelical Seminary. Dr. Nix currently serves at Veritas Evangelical Seminary, Murrieta, CA as Professor of Historical and Theological Studies and Director of Master of Theological Studies. He is also President of The Electronic Bible Society. Dr. Nix is co-author with Dr. Norman L. Geisler of From God to Us and A General Introduction to the Bible. In addition, Dr. Nix has edited several books and written numerous articles. He resides with his wife, Eulaine, in Dallas, Texas.

Table of Contents

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Photographs / 9

Charts / 10

Foreword to the Revised Edition / 11

Foreword to the First Edition / 13

Preface to the Revised Edition / 15

Preface to the First Edition / 17

Part One: Inspiration of the Bible

1. The Structure and Divisions of the Bible / 21

2. Definitions of Revelation and Inspiration / 33

3. Scriptural Claims for Inspiration in General / 49

4. Specific Claims of Inspiration in the Old Testament / 65

5. Supporting Claims for the Inspiration in the Old Testament / 77

6. Specific Claims for the Inspiration of the New Testament / 89

7. The Continuation of the Doctrine of Inspiration to the Reformation / 99

8. Doctrines of Inspiration Since Reformation / 113

9. Divergent Views of the Revelation and Inspiration in the Modern World / 133

10. Contemporary Theories of Revelation and Inspiration / 165

11. Evidences for the Inspiration of the Bible / 191

Part Two: Canonization of the Bible

12. Determination of Canonicity / 203

13. The Discovery and Recognition of Canonicity / 221

14. Development and History of the Old Testament Canon / 235

15. The Old Testament Apocrypha and Pseudepigrapha / 257

16. Development and History of the New Testament Canon / 277

17. The New Testament Apocrypha and Pseudepigrapha / 297

Part Three: Transmission of the Bible

18. Languages of the Bible / 321

19. Writing Materials / 331

20. Manuscript Transmission, Preparation, and Preservation / 343

21. Old Testament Manuscripts / 357

22. New Testament Manuscripts / 385

23. Papyri, Ostraca, Inscriptions, and Lectionaries / 409

24. Patristic Witness of the Text of Scripture

25. Development of Textual Criticism / 433

26. Restoration of the Scripture Text / 465

Part Four: Translation of the Bible

27. Translations Containing the Old Testament Text / 493

28. Translations Containing Both the Old and New Testament Texts / 511

29. Latin Versions of the Old and New Testament Texts / 525

30. The Bible in English / 539

31. Modern English Versions and Translations of Scripture / 559

32. Modern Speech Versions and Translations of Scripture / 575

General Conclusion / 603

Appendix / 605

Glossary / 637

Bibliography / 645

Index of Subjects / 683

Index of Persons / 697

Index of Scripture / 709