Publisher's Synopsis
Echoes of both myth and history are combined in the Bible, with its epic story of the Jewish people. Jews, Myth and History takes a fresh, wide-ranging and critical look at the origins of the text and the early history, beliefs and practices of Judaism.
Just two hundred years ago, the Bible was the sole source of information about early Jewish history. Following Napoleon's expedition to the Middle East this all changed. Both archaeologists and scholars analysing the Bible itself produced a flood of new information which transformed our understanding of the origins of the text and the religion. Unfortunately, some Jews and Christians find such knowledge controversial, as it contradicts their traditional beliefs.
In Jews, Myth and History Alan Silver reviews this new information and takes a broad look at Jewish history, belief and practice. He considers how Sacred Texts should be understood and warns how misreading them can lead to fundamentalism.
Society has always been threatened by those, whether religious or not, who presume to know the truth for us all. This threat has never been more keenly felt than it is today. After considering both the varieties of religious belief and atheism, this book encourages questioning and discourages the belief that any of us possesses the whole truth. It addresses such questions as: Who wrote the Bible and how should we read it? What is myth and can it be relied upon? Can Jews be idolaters too? What is Kabbalah? Why do good people suffer? One god or many - is less really more? Would a Universal God choose just one people? What is the difference between superstition and religion?
About the Author: Born in Sheffield, Alan Silver qualified as a dentist in 1970. He has travelled extensively while pursuing a wide variety of interests, particularly exploring his fascination with myth and the history of religion. He lives in North London, and is married with three grown-up children.
