A Tour of the Bible: An Introduction for the Unfamiliar

On a trip to a foreign country, a guide book can rescue a traveler from confusion and enrich the experience. "A Tour of the Bible" provides that help and enrichment for those new to the Bible and those wanting to learn more. A Tour of the Bible provides an overview of and orientation to the Bible, including outlines and summaries of each section and book of the Bible, with basic story lines and their significance. Along the way, sample the Bible's highlights by reading "The Bible's Greatest Hits" to help find the gems amidst the genealogies. For those who want to learn more, A Tour of the Bible includes reference material about how the Bible was formed, how to compare different Bible translations, and guides for how to read through the Bible. This book can be a reference book to help you get your bearings, or it can provide a systematic introduction. We start with a "50,000 Foot Fly-by," and continue with outlines of the basic story line in the Bible, section by section. Along the way, you will also find references to specific passages that provide a taste of each section, without requiring reading the whole thing. These appetizers are called "The Bible's Greatest Hits" because they are the most interesting and influential passages. These lists help you to find the gems amidst the genealogies. Part I provides a basic orientation: This section provides brief introductions of how the Bible is used, how it is structured and how to start to read the Bible. You then find a "50,000 Foot Fly-by" to get a sense of the big picture and the basic story line of the Bible. There is also a section on a handful of key words to understand when reading the Bible. Part II begins a section-by-section tour of the Bible. For each section, you will find an outline, a list of "Greatest Hits" to read, an overview of the basic story line in that section, and a helpful summary of each Biblical book in that section-reviewing the story and the message. Part III then provides resources for further learning, including guides to different translations and editions of the Bible, a section on how the Bible became the Bible, discussions of analytical methods, and worldviews that impact how we understand the Bible. There is also a section on strategies for daily or weekly reading of the Bible, and lists of additional resources for how you can learn more. Check the Glossary if you don't recognize a word, and use the index to learn more. The inside covers provide conveniently located references: a list of the Bible's books inside the front cover, and maps of Bible lands appear on the final pages.