John Kaltner

Joel Kilpatrick

Steven McKenzie

We all know the story of how Eve was created from Adam's rib. But what if, perhaps, "rib" was a mistranslation and the body part she was really created from was Adam's penis bone? This would explain why human males don't have such a bone, unlike other male mammals. That's only one of many surprising and fun biblical twists readers will encounter in The Uncensored Bible. Here readers will learn that King David swore like a sailor, mandrakes were the biblical equivalent of Viagra®, Cain was depressed, and Joseph's "coat of many colors" might have actually been a dress (which may explain why his brothers picked on him). Authors Kaltner, McKenzie, and Kilpatrick bring some of the most outrageous speculations about the scriptures to light—all based on legitimate scholarship—revealing a stranger, bawdier side of the Good Book. The Uncensored Bible is a shocking, hilarious, and thought-provoking collection of the most recent, compelling, and racy interpretations of the Bible from the newest voices of Bible scholarship.

The Bawdy and Naughty Bits of the Good Book

The Uncensored Bible

The account of Joseph in Genesis 37-50 with its classic rags-to-riches plot explores themes that have intrigued people throughout history: murder, betrayal, sibling rivalry, greed, natural disaster and mistaken identity. This account shows that there is more than one way to tell the story--and both are worth reading. It puts the Biblical Joseph in conversation with Quranic self. The Islamic text is a clear parallel to the Biblical story of Joseph's life, but there are some important differences between them that result in two distinct versions of the tale. This interface allows for a new understanding of the familiar Biblical tradition as aspects that are often missed become prominent and puzzling, elemenst are seen in a new light.

Getting to Know a Biblical Character Through the Qurʼan

Inquiring of Joseph

Steven L. McKenzie

Beyond Babel provides a general introduction to and overview of the languages that are significant for the study of the Hebrew Bible and ancient Israel. Included are essays on biblical and inscriptional Hebrew, Akkadian, Northwest Semitic dialects (Ammonite, Edomite, and Moabite), Arabic, Aramaic, Egyptian, Hittite, Phoenician, postbiblical Hebrew, and Ugaritic. Each chapter in the volume shares a common format, including an overview of the language, a discussion of its significance for the Hebrew Bible, and a list of ancient sources and modern resources for further study of the language. A general introduction by John Huehnergard discusses the importance of the study of Near Eastern languages for biblical scholarship, helping to make the volume an ideal resource for persons beginning an in-depth study of the Hebrew Bible.

A Handbook for Biblical Hebrew and Related Languages

Beyond Babel

Louis Stulman

Herbert Bardwell Huffmon

A key book on the background and future direction of scholarship prophecy in the bibical world.

Prophecy in the Ancient Near East Essays in Honor of Herbert B. Huffmon

Inspired Speech

Steven Linn McKenzie

Designed for readers who have no familiarity with the Old Testament or Hebrew Bible, this introduction provides a complete overview of its development and its continuing interpretation. Each chapter follows the same four-part format: "Content" summarizes the biblical book being treated; "Growth" explains the process behind the book's composition according to the most up-to-date scholarship; "Context" describes the historical, literary, and social settings that were at work in the book's production; and "Interpretation" explores the various ways in which the book has been and continues to be understood in scholarly and religious communities. The Old Testament: Its Background, Growth, and Content is an ideal classroom resource because, even though it presents the biblical books in their canonical order, it can be read in any sequence to meet ​the needs and aims of a given course.

Its Background, Growth, and Content

The Old Testament

"Award-winning professor John Kaltner's new work offers a general introduction and orientation to the Qur'an. It surveys the origin, structure, contents, study, and use of Islam's sacred text. Offering selective rather than comprehensive coverage, the work allows for discussion and analysis of specific themes and issues of interest to modern readers.Following an introduction that describes and situates how the Qur'an is both studied and experienced, Kaltner's book takes up the following themes by chapterto foster a contemporary understanding and appreciation of the Qur'an: the natural environment, Muslim life, gender and sexuality, non-Muslims and the Other, jihad, war and peace, and life after death. Significant passages from the Qur'an are identified and analyzed, with a special focus on how modern scholars, both Muslim and non-Muslim, understand them. Kaltner intersperses his book with numerous photographs and textboxes to emphasize and highlight important elements of the Qur'an, its history, and itsrelevance to contemporary life" -- Publisher description.

For Today's Reader

Introducing the Qur'an

Jews, Christians, and Muslims trace their roots to Abraham, but the course of that lineage is not the same for all three faiths. Judaism and Christianity view Isaac, the son of Sarah, as the offspring of Abraham through whom the family line is continued. Islam, on the other hand, sees Ishmael, son of Hagar, as the rightful heir who carries on the family name. The two sacred texts of these religions, the Bible and the Qur'an, have much in common, highlighting the close relationship that exists between the two lines of Abraham's family. This book examines some of the themes, figures, and episodes that are shared by the Bible and the Qur'an. It is an introduction to the Qur'an for the descendants of Isaac, who are invited to listen to and learn from the way Ishmael and his descendants retell the family stories.

An Introduction to the Qurʼan for Bible Readers

Ishmael Instructs Isaac

Jews, Christians, and Muslims trace their roots to Abraham and yet it is a shock to many Bible readers that some of the characters and stories in their sacred text are also found in the pages of Islam's sacred text, the Qur'an. By exploring the relationship between the Bible and the Qur'an in Ishmael Instructs Isaac, John Kaltner challenges Bible readers to think about their sacred book in new, exciting ways. In doing so, he leads all to a better appreciation of Islam. After a brief overview of the text, themes, structure, and use of the Qur'an, Kaltner focuses on traditions that are shared with the Bible. He explains that the Bible and Qur'an contain many of the same themes, figures, and episodes. However, at times, there are significant differences in their descriptions of the same event or figure. By discussing such topics and figures as God, humanity, prophecy, creation, life after death, Abraham, Moses, Jesus, and Mary, Kaltner examines the similarities and differences between the two texts. This comparative method allows readers to better appreciate both what is distinctive about Islam and what it shares with Judaism and Christianity. Jews and Christians view Isaac as the son of Abraham in whom the family line continued. Muslims, on the other hand, view Isaac's brother Ishmael as the rightful heir. This difference must not obscure what is held in common: a belief in the one God and a family - albeit distant - relationship. Written for undergraduate and seminary courses on Islam, the Qur'an, comparative religions, inter-religious dialogue, world scriptures, and biblical interpretation, Ishmael Instructs Isaac is also a useful resource for discussion groups in churches, synagogues, and mosques. Includes English translations of the Qur'anic texts discussed. John Kaltner, PhD, is assistant professor of religious studies at Rhodes College where he teaches courses in the Bible and Islam. He has worked in the Middle East with the Catholic Foreign Mission Society of America.

An Introduction to the Qur'an for Bible Readers

"As . . . newer approaches [to biblical criticism] become more established and influential, it is essential that students and other serious readers of the Bible be exposed to them and become familiar with them. That is the main impetus behind the present volume, which is offered as a textbook for those who wish to go further than the approaches covered in To Each Its Own Meaning by exploring more recent or experimental ways of reading." from the introduction This book is a supplement and sequel to To Each Its Own Meaning, edited by Steven L. McKenzie and Stephen R. Haynes, which introduced the reader to the most important methods of biblical criticism and remains a widely used classroom textbook. This new volume explores recent developments in, and approaches to, biblical criticism since 1999. Leading contributors define and describe their approach for non-specialist readers, using examples from the Old and New Testament to help illustrate their discussion. Topics include cultural criticism, disability studies, queer criticism, postmodernism, ecological criticism, new historicism, popular culture, postcolonial criticism, and psychological criticism. Each section includes a list of key terms and definitions and suggestions for further reading.

Recent Approaches to Biblical Criticisms and Their Applications

New Meanings for Ancient Texts

Inspired Speech was originally published as a Festschrift to honor the work of Professor Herbert B. Huffmon, Professor of Old Testament/Hebrew Bible at Drew University. Thirty-three of his colleagues and students contributed to the work, which explores various aspects of prophecy in ancient Israel and its neighboring cultures. The result is a volume which provides an excellent overview of the current state and future directions of scholarship on prophecy in the biblical world. Contributors: Suzanne Richard, Frank Moore Cross, George E. Mendenhall, Martti Nissinen, Robert R. Wilson, Mary Chilton Callaway, Peggy L. Day, Daniel E. Fleming, David Noel Freedman, Rebecca Frey, Alberto R. Green, Edward L. Greenstein, Baruch A. Levine, David Marcus, Harry P. Nasuti, J. J. M. Roberts, Jack M. Sasson, Karel van der Toorn, Lyn M. Bechtel, Milton Eng, John Kaltner, John I. Lawlor, David A. Leiter, Jesse C. Long, Jr, Mark Sneed, Jongsoo Park, Eric A. Seibert, Louis Stulman, Alex Varughese, William W. Hallo, Michael S. Moore, Mary-Louise Mussell, Paul A. Riemann

John Kaltner

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