Best Books for the Background of the Bible | Historical-Cultural Context

Ever wished for a tool that could unlock the deep cultural context of the Bible for you?
In order to read the Bible well and not import our own ideas into Scripture, we need to know about the world of the Bible or the historical-cultural context. In this episode, I share some of the best resources and tools to help us better understand the background to the Bible.

0:00 Introduction
0:58 Study Bibles
2:08 Background Commentaries
3:59 Overviews
6:50 Primary Source Reader
7:23 Atlas
8:11 Conclusion

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#podcast #historical #books

[johnnaalmond]

Thank you so much for this - I’m beginning my journey of understanding and reading the Bible better. I love Jesus so much but I’m clueless. Thank you again

[IndianaJoe]

I really like your recommendations -- especially the two atlases. Most American Christians don't understand the need for a good atlas, to enhance their biblical understanding.

[e.m.]

I had to chuckle when I realized that the majority of these books were either on my shelf or in my Amazon wish list. 🤣

[doc_adams]

One book that I would highly recommend discusses the cultural background of crucifixion. Martin Hengel, a world-renowned philologist who taught at the University of Tubingen, introduces the reader to the different cultural perceptions of crucifixion leading up to the life and teachings of Jesus. While the short monograph (around 100 pages) thoroughly debates the technical issues, it does so in the footnotes, allowing access to a variety of knowledge levels. The book is simply entitled Crucifixion and can be read in a matter of days. It brings to life the importance of early Christian preaching, Peter at Pentecost and Paul in his missionary journeys, to emphasize the cross. It also warns us against those who would diminish or dismiss the cross. Let us reflect the attitude of Paul. "For I determined to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ, and Him crucified." I Cor 2:2

[BiblicalStudiesandReviews]

I’ve got a feeling that this channel is really going to grow. Nice work!

[patrickbeine]

Great video! You did a perfect job giving short and concise intros and descriptions of the different books and mentioning their strengths and weaknesses. This is how a video like this should be structured! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[stevenmccarthy]

Great talk thank you. It is really helpful to have teachers who have used all these books and more to recommend resources. The background books are excellent even if rather daunting to pick up. I have read nearly all of Wright and Bird, it is a useful overview of the NT. Walton on the Near East is not an easy read but has some very interesting information on cultures surrounding Israel in OT times. In support of eg Fee and Stuart's great books Walton, Longman and others' How To Read books are great intros to individual books of the OT, maybe helping to restrain more way-out interpretations?! I have had the IVP Bible Atlas for more than 40 years but the Zondervan books look really good. Thank you. Maybe I could also suggest Kenneth Bailey's books as eye-opening introductions to NT society and life too.

[MsOptimystika]

I’m currently reading and am enjoying N.T. Wright’s “The New Testament in Its World.” Wright writes with style and the book has lots of pictures, too. I also have most of the books you’ve mentioned but haven’t read yet. Great list and definitely very helpful! Thanks!

[marystout]

I want to recommend a few Bible resource books you may like, too. The Holy Land Illustrated Bible, The Archaeological Study Bible, The NLT Illustrated Study Bible, The Thompson Chain Reference Bible, The Old and New Testament set of The Bible Knowledge Commentary, and a good Bible Atlas (mine is the Rose Now and Then Bible Atlas)

[litemmangyanglemtor]

I was really looking for some Bible commentary to understand Bible more deeper and you have shown the books to my satisfaction.

Thank you and God bless

[jimyoung]

This video was helpful. Thanks.
The proactive vs reactive comment was right on. I've found "The New Testament in it's World" by Wright and Bird to also be really helpful.

[EmmanuelMbewe-rh]

its really important to help people understand that God has called us in diffeeent offices, if we all pile up on the pulpit will miss very helpful and critical services like yours, keep it up pliz, am Emmanuel from Zambia

[mathmusicstructure]

As I've gotten older, the problem I have with study bibles is threefold: tiny font, badly bleeding paper, and study notes that I've outgrown.

[babasingapura]

I’ve used the IVP background commentaries and read Lost Letters. Good resources.

[dustinburlet]

Excellent video - your suggestions are top notch

I do think that EVERYTHING by Othmar Keel is worth while to read but Symbolism of the Ancient Word is KEY!

Lastly, I have to admit, that I was a little surprised not to see ANET and COS alongside their more cost effective counter parts like Kenton Sparks Ancient Texts for the Study of the Hebrew Bible: A Guide to the Background Literaterature (and its NT counterpart Ancient Texts for New Testament Studies: A Guide to the Background Literature Paperback – Jan. 1 2012
by Craig A. Evans) and Readings from the Ancient Near East: Primary Sources for Old Testament Study
by Bill Arnold and Bryan Beyer. These are simply standard works

Love your videos and channel - looking forward to seeing more in the future ;-)

[radiantchristina]

Great video. Thank you ! Do you have any more biblical fiction recommendations besides the lost letters ?

[noranawman]

Thank you! Your teachings sure help me.

[cass]

This is an excellent video. Thank you so much!

[brennensmith]

Thanks for the helpful video! Your channel has been a blessing to me. Would you say Walter Kaiser's, "A History of Israel" would be a resource for the culture of the OT, or is it mainly just geographic and historical in nature? Thanks again!

[naiman]

One of my favorite background books is Understanding the Bible by this guy named Harris, I believe - I forgot what his first name was. It is concise and compact, and seems to be a college textbook.