Whose Bible Is It? A History Of The Scriptures Through The Ages

The Bible has been the most influential and important book in the history of the western world - and the most controversial. It has affected not just religious beliefs but every aspect of our culture, including the very language we speak.

In this superbly written history, Jaroslav Pelikan charts the Bible's evolution from its earliest incarnation as oral tales, through the earliest Hebrew texts, its translations into Greek and Latin and, finally, to its many modern forms and languages. Pelikan explores how and why the Bibles are different, and how they are the same, and he reveals why certain books were adopted by different religions and sects. Along the way he gives fascinating new insights into the Reformation and describes the Bible's impetus in the development of the printing, press and its influence on the Renaissance. Both an enduring work of scholarship and a compelling read, 'Whose Bible Is It?', will fascinate believers and non-believers alike.