Karen Armstrong, a former Roman Catholic nun, authored about 20 books and is an internationally renowned expert on religion and a powerful voice for interfaith understanding. (For her books I've read, click on her name.)

Armstrong was chosen by Atlantic Press to write book 239, which is one of their “Books that Changed the World” series, of which nine other “forthcoming and current” books of this series are listed in book 239 - for details on seven of these, go to http://www.groveatlantic.com/ and search on “books that changed the world.” Besides its 229 pp of main text, book 239 has a very useful 12-pp Glossary of Key Terms, 35 pp of Notes and a 24-pp Index.

From her Introduction, “Because scripture has become such an explosive issue, it is important to be clear what it is and what it is not. This biography of the Bible provides some insight into this religious phenomenon. It is, for example, crucial to note that an exclusively literal interpretation of the Bible is a recent development. Until the nineteenth century, very few people imagined that the first chapter of Genesis was a factual account of the origins of life. For centuries, Jews and Christians relished highly allegorical and inventive exegesis, insisting that a wholly literal reading of the Bible was neither possible nor desirable.” She discusses centuries of Bible history in 9 chronological chapters: Torah, Scripture, Gospel, Midrash, Charity, Lectio Divina, Sola Scriptura, Modernity, and Epilogue.

From her Epilogue, “... scripture was not really a text but an activity, a spiritual process that introduced thousands of people to transcendence. The Bible may have been used to back up doctrines and beliefs but that was not its chief function.” ... “This makes a truly spiritual reading of the Bible difficult. The achievements of the historical-critical method have been magnificent; it has given us unprecedented knowledge about the Bible but has not yet provided us with a spirituality.” Instead, to regard the Bible as that which is to be worshiped is as wrong as were those who “worshiped the finger pointing to the moon” instead of the moon itself, for the Bible serves as a special pointer (a special finger) whose origin and purpose is to point us to God (the moon). Moreover, it is not the only pointer.

Karen Armstrong asks, “What would it mean to interpret the whole of the Bible as a ‘commentary’ on the Golden Rule? It would demand an appreciation of other people’s scriptures.” (She and John Hick have much in common.) She concludes that the ‘principle of charity’ should be “the spiritual discipline that is deeply needed in our torn and fragmented world.” This should reduce (and may eventuality eliminate) scripture becoming “a toxic arsenal that fuels hatred and sterile polemic.” Amen! Having read many books about the Bible, I feel it was wise for Atlantic to ask her to write this book since she has learned much and has deep spiritual insights. I agree fully with Booklist: “An excellent précis of the writing and compiling of the Bible and ensuing centuries of biblical interpretation. ... This is one terrific little book.” I very highly recommend it and feel it would be an ideal choice for Adult Sunday (or Saturday or Friday) School discussions.