You can be sure I wont forget that Tyre fell to Alexander and definitively NOT Nebuchadnezzar! The key issues he focuses in on are important for people looking to enrich their view of the Hebrew Biblemoving away from ideas of infallibility and into a more informed and critical space. Bowens approach to the topic is refreshing, for he encourages a respectful debate between atheists and believers over the historicity of the biblical narratives. Follow authors to get new release updates, plus improved recommendations. The Atheist Handbook to the Old Testament: Volume 1 Kindle Edition by Joshua Aaron Bowen (Author) Format: Kindle Edition 4.6 403 ratings Book 1 of 2: The Atheist Handbook to the Old Testament See all formats and editions Kindle $9.99 Read with Our Free App Audiobook $0.00 Free with your Audible trial Great on Kindle Great Experience. What I got was a book that looks like it was self-published without any professional design help, so it looks amateurish while the writing is an extended argument about how we atheists just don't understand -- and does it in a condescending tone. I got my refund right away, I have already dozens of books on Christianity, God and Jesus all of which treat the subject and the readers with respect. In the first volume of The Atheist Handbook the most commonly confronted religion is tackled, Christianity. An excellent introduction to the Old Testament (Tanakh) from a talented young scholar of the ancient near east. I liked listening to both this book and Volume 1. Narrator: Seth Andrews. Please try your request again later. It's in the title. For each of these contentious topics Dr. Bowen impartially describes the scholarly consensus, and meticulously provides us with the evidence for and against it. After summarizing the book of Genesis, he provides a brief historical/geographical survey of the nations, empires, and cultures of the ANE, and Israels place within it. That said I think that is entirely deliberate because I think it is targeted more at a casual reader. Please try again. Like with Vol. He then discusses four perennial controversial issues in Apologetics/Counter apologetics: The authorship and composition of the Torah, the dating and composition of the Book of Daniel, Slavery in the Bible, and finally, Ezekiels prophecy concerning Tyre. Try again. Dr Bowen has an agenda. Volume two also covers the narrative of the Old Testament, from the conquest to the divided monarchy, and a brief history of Egypt to help situate the biblical text within agreed historical events. Every historical point he presents is established and accepted by reputable scholars. Does this item contain inappropriate content? Volume 2 also covers the narrative of the Old Testament from the conquest to the divided monarchy, and a brief history of Egypt to help situate the biblical text within agreed historical events. Read, highlight, and take notes, across web, tablet, and phone. Atheists often speak about the contradictions and atrocities rampant throughout the Bible, but they often enter those conversations without all of the inform. - and surprisingly discovered a book dealing with the Christian Old Testament in similar vein to Bart Ehrman with the Christian New Testament. The Old Testament is a fierce battleground for atheists and Christian apologists, with each side accusing the other of taking challenging and troubling passages out of context. His explicit audience is atheists and Make no mistake. This book was a great reminder, one that just isn't taught all that well in American schools, that human civilization pre-dates the Bible by millennia, and that within that small region of the world in which the Bible took place, most if not all of the ideas, thoughts and laws within the 'great holy book' were stolen or borrowed from other cultures and countries. But in summary, it provides the interested beginner a nice gateway in to this particular aspect of the ancient Near East. Bowen does a really good job at giving context, so that if the atheist finds himself in a debate with an apologist, the former can hold their own. This series is perfect for lay readers who want access to academic debates and research conclusions, but lack the time for original research. In this handbook, Joshua Bowen not only provides the background to the Old Testament and the ancient Near East, but engages with hotly contested topics like slavery, failed prophecy, and the authorship of debated Old Testament books. Overall, the book's information is very good but the editing and writing could be better. So trying to discredit him by claiming he has an agenda is kind of pointless. This is a great book with a lot of information that does what it intends to do, which is give the atheist or skeptic background knowledge of the ancient Near East with which to better understand the context of the Bible. Following up on the popular first volume, The Atheist Handbook to the Old Testament: Volume 2 takes up the challenge of providing a clear and useful guide to those wanting a better understanding of the Old Testament, including its cultural and historical background, as well as discussions on contentious topics like violence and genocide, and whether the Exodus was a real historical event. Good book. . Went and got the second right away! I'm talking with by archaeologist, Joshua Bowen with a PhD in Assyriology from Johns Hopkins. This masterpiece should be . The author in parts, quite a bit of information about ancient near eastern material relating to the Bible. I highly recommend both books if you would like an overview of the Old Testament events and a better understanding of the time period and area where the events may have taken place. It's essential reading." The Old Testament is a fierce battleground for atheists and Christian apologists, with each side accusing the other of taking challenging and troubling passages out of context. 2 concludes with a section on plagiarism in the ancient world and how the Israelite writings/myths borrowed from the mythologies and legends of other ANE (and beyond) ideas. In the case of the Atheist Handbook to the Old Testament, however, the second volume is even better than the first! 2021 Joshua Aaron Bowen (P)2021 Joshua Aaron Bowen. Good book to provoke some thought and extra research, Reviewed in the United Kingdom on August 30, 2021. The chapter Tired of Tyre is very appropriate because I was super tired of hearing about the failed prophecy against Tyre. Please try again. Whether you are looking to debate problematic Old Testament issues on social media or have a relaxed, meaningful discussion with a family member over coffee, The Atheist Handbook to the Old Testament is an indispensable resource for you. In this handbook, Joshua Bowen not only provides the background to the Old Testament and the ancient Near East, but engages with hotly contested topics like slavery, failed prophecy, and the authorship of debated Old Testament books. Whether you're a sceptic, non-believer, or Christian: if you're all about intellectual pursuit, you should read this one. The Old Testament is a fierce battleground for atheists and Christian apologists, with each side accusing the other of taking challenging and troubling passages out of context. Thanks Dr Josh for reliving into this topic with a very thorough and level headed approach. The Atheist Handbook to the Old Testament: Volume 2, 1996-2023, Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates, The Atheist Handbook to the Old Testament, Volume 1. This volume (Volume 1) deals with the origins of the Phillistines, the Exodus story, the forms in which slavery is condoned and encouraged in the Bible, and several of the failed prophecies which are often creatively reinterpreted to make them appear as if they actually succeeded. This was a very thorough look at some the issues found within the bible. Some people find the Old Testament to be confusing, out of date, and essentially replaced by the New Testament. In this volume, Dr. Bowen admirably draws together and summarises for the layperson the mainstream secular Old Testament scholarship in an engaging style and without the rancour one often sees in the writings of former Christians. Dr. Bowen lays out the data on consensus scholarship excellently. As in the first volume, Dr. Bowen is circumspect and measured in his approach to these incendiary issues; he neither seeks to sensationalize nor polemicize: his only goal is clarity. This book provides:clear and straightforward explanations to complex topicsdirect engagement with hot-button Old Testament issuesspecific arguments to help you in a debate or discussionWhether you are looking to debate problematic Old Testament issues on social media or have a relaxed, meaningful discussion with a family member over coffee, The Atheist Handbook to the Old Testament is an indispensable resource for you. AbeBooks.com: The Atheist Handbook to the Old Testament: Volume 1 (9781736592021) by Bowen, Dr Joshua Aaron and a great selection of similar New, Used and Collectible Books available now at great prices. In this handbook, Joshua Bowen not only provides the background to the Old Testament and the ancient Near East, but engages with hotly contested topics like slavery, failed prophecy, and the authorship of debated Old Testament books. (Dr. Eric H. Cline, Professor of Classics, History, and Anthropology and Director, GWU Capitol Archaeological Institute, The George Washington University), "Joshua Bowens The Atheist Handbook to the Old Testament: Volume Two will appeal to atheists and those of faith alike for its insightful examination of Scriptures most problematic passages. I'd have to go over that chapter a few more times to let the details really sink in. This review will cover both. I like this book and will buy volume 2 when it is published so that I complete my journey with the author. It is a good overview of the select portions of the Old Testament that he wants to cover. 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