The Story of the Bible

By: Luke Timothy Johnson, The Great Courses

Narrated by: Luke Timothy Johnson

Discover the story of the world's most consistently best-selling book, which came into being through a remarkable and complicated process. In 24 stimulating lectures, Professor Johnson investigates the many forms the Bible has taken and the ways history, scholarship, and technology have helped shape this great tradition, as well as the Bible's powerful influence on human history and culture.

The Bible has long served as a powerful force, both reflecting and shaping the cultures that have read and embraced it. Over the centuries, perceptions of the Bible have inspired men and women and shaped nations; they've sent nations to war and martyrs to their deaths. The struggle of translation has been a battleground for controlling the meaning of sacred text, a struggle that reached its peak during the Renaissance and the Enlightenment.

From the early history of the New Testament, when Hebrew and Greek sources built a new story on the foundation of the ancient Jewish tradition, to the world-changing invention of the printing press, a revolutionary innovation that contributed to the Protestant Reformation, this enthralling story gives you a deep appreciation for the tremendous power of this astonishing book - one that has endured through centuries and touched the lives of countless millions.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying reference material will be available in your Library section along with the audio.

©2006 The Teaching Company, LLC (P)2006 The Great Courses

Great Story of the Bible

This is the second course from Luke Timothy Johnson I’ve completed. It’s thoroughly enjoyable, enlightening, challenging, and hopeful.

Not just for Christians

What made the experience of listening to The Story of the Bible the most enjoyable?

It's such a fascinating story.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Abraham--he steps out to a new land based only on faith

Have you listened to any of Professor Luke Timothy Johnson’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

not sure

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

We promise bathroom breaks because this is a really long movie.

Any additional comments?

I would recommend this book to anyone.

Excellent course on humans created the Bible

DR. Johnson provides an excellent overview of how Christians and Jews created the Bible’s we know today. He explained that the creation process started with oral transmission of separate the Jewish Torah and other books now in our Bibles. Each translation of New Testament books from Ancient Greek or Hebrew introduced some changes from original meanings. Similar changes occurred when scribes copied older texts. Bibles in different languages have somewhat different meanings in various passages than English. Modern archeological finds suggest some parts might need revision. DR Johnson emphasizes that none of these changes alter the central tenants of Christianity.

I found this course much more enlightening than what I read by DR Erhman.

my favorite of LTJ's courses

I liked this course much better than the one by the same professor on the history of Christianity. I thought he was on surer footing here, or perhaps the differences I have with him theologically are less relevant here.

I don't like his lecture style as much as other Great Courses professors. Even though I often disagree with Prof. Ehrman, I enjoy his speaking style much better. Somehow with Prof. Johnson, my mind wanders a bit more. But I realize tastes vary widely on which professor people like best!

I thought the content here was quite good, and you can listen to a sample to see if you agree with me on his speaking style.

A Truly Excellent History

Dr. Johnson does a superb job with this history of the bible. This was one of those audiobooks that I have found to be exceptional in content from start to finish, and I have found very few of those! Furthermore, Dr. Johnson does a great job with the manner in which he presents the material, i.e.; intonations, verbal affectation, and appropriately placed emphasis.

If you want to increase your knowledge of how the bible came to be, then I can unhesitatingly recommend this audiobook.

EXCELLENT PRESENTATION

This is an excellent presentation for both religious and non-religious readers. The vast scope covered including the history, the Hebrew and Greek texts, the translations and interpretations including contemporary ones, contraversies and agreements all make for an excellent course. It is one of the best I have taken through the Teaching Company, and the best course on the Bible I have taken yet. Thank you for the excellence and objectivity!

What a Wonderful Class

Where does The Story of the Bible rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

It is in the top five.

Any additional comments?

This was a clear and balanced presentation of the bible for all denominations. The depth of knowledge Prof. Johnson shares is outstanding.

It was great to have someone who actually believes in Christ as our Lord actually give a class on Christianity on the "Great Courses".

what a magnificient performance

I found this lectures so interesting and informative, I´ve learnt a lot about the most influential book in human history,

Good content, bad implementation

Audibles's unwillingness to name the chapters aporopriately causes one to waste quite a bit of time hubting for the chaptet one wanta to review. The longer the course, the worst the experience. Spoken to them. No apparent interest in solving issue.

Good historical background

Would you recommend this book to a friend? Why or why not?

I would recommend to those interested in or curious about (or misinformed about) how the Catholic/Christian Bible came about.

What was the most interesting aspect of this story? The least interesting?

Most: The story, in general.
Least: LTJ's "I'm smarter than you; that's how it is; deal with it." attitude/tone.

What three words best describe Professor Luke Timothy Johnson’s performance?

Dry Arrogant Well-researched

Do you think The Story of the Bible needs a follow-up book? Why or why not?

It needs a re-telling by someone other than LTJ; someone concerned about the subject matter AND the reader/listener (as opposed to himself and the subject matter).

Any additional comments?

I admit to having listened to several LTJ audiobooks. I have done so reluctantly because he does, in my humble opinion, research his topic, dig deeply into questions and details many others ignore or overlook and cover the entirety of the topic. His personal delivery style, however, leave me feeling negatively at many points, simply because he comes across as "talking down" to his audience.