Bible Stories: Fact, Fiction and Fantasy in Scripture

Description

Beginning with the rise of modern Pentecostalism before tracking back 2,500-years, author and academic Gavin Evans traces the history of the Abrahamic faiths, Christianity, Judaism and Islam. In this book he explores the New Testament, Hebrew Bible and the Qur’an. By delving into recent archaeological research and presenting evidence that tales such as those of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, and also Moses, Joshua and the Exodus, were entirely mythological. Robust interrogation of the evidence allows Evans to go further still, casting doubt on the Jesus story and arguing that even if he did exist as an historical figure, we know next to nothing about him. As well as examining these key religious texts, Bible Stories also holds modern atheism to account – critiquing the work of some of its most ardent advocates, Evans rejects a militant approach and makes a compelling argument for a softer, more tolerant atheism. AUTHOR: Gavin Evans grew up in South Africa and was intensely involved in anti-apartheid activities in the 1980s. He lectures at Birkbeck, University of London.