Don't Know Much About the Bible - Kenneth C. Davis [197]
Weiser, Francis X. Handbook of Christian Feast and Customs. New York: Harcourt, Brace & World, 1952.
Wilson, A. N. Jesus: A Life. New York: Norton, 1992. Controversial attempt to craft a “biography” of Jesus.
Wilson, Andrew, editor. World Scripture: A Comparative Anthology of Sacred Texts. New York: Paragon House, 1991; Paragon House, 1995. A fascinating compilation that brings together selections of writings from the sacred texts from all of the world’s principal religions and major offshoots, divided into specific thematic areas.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
This book, like many, had its beginnings in my childhood. So I begin by thanking my parents, Evelyn and Richard Davis, for their guidance and love.
Unlike many people, I was lucky to have received my Sunday school lessons from some interesting and challenging teachers. One of them introduced me to the wonder of Giotto’s frescoes. Another showed me my first piece of cuneiform. So, from an early age, I had a sense that learning about the Bible meant more than just memorizing psalms and prayers. Similarly, at Concordia College in Bronxville, New York, I had instructors like the Reverend Thomas Sluberski, whose faith did not close them off to the world around us. At Fordham University, I also took classes with Jesuit professors who honored the questioning mind. I consider myself very lucky to have had my education shaped by people like them.
There are many others along the path who have been significant in shaping this book. I am also grateful to Joni Evans, whose enthusiastic support and friendship I value highly. The staffs of William Morrow and Avon Books have always been loyal friends, and I would like to thank Lou Aronica, Richard Aquan, Michele Corallo, Paul Fedorko, Bradford Foltz, Beccy Goodhart, Mike Greenstein, Rachel Klayman, Lisa Queen, Michelle Shinseki, William Wright, and Will Schwalbe, my former editor, who gave this book such an encouraging start.
My children are a constant source of pleasure, insight, and pride. Thank you, Jenny and Colin, for your wonderful spirits. “I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.” (3 John 4)
Once upon a time, I worked in a bookstore where a coworker told me I should be writing books, not selling them. I thought she was so smart, I married her. Not many writers get to thank their wife, editor, and publisher all in one breath. I enjoy that remarkable luxury. So thank you, Joann, for everything I need to know but never learned.
SEARCHABLE TERMS
Numbers in italic indicate maps.
Aaron
Golden Calf and
Aaronic benediction
Abed-Nego,
Abel
murder of
Abijam
Abimelech
Abishag
Abner
abolition movement, U.S., Bible and
abortion
Abraham
and arrangement of Isaac's marriage
birthplace of
and burial cave purchase
character of
circumcision of
death of
fatherhood of
God's covenant with
Isaac offered as sacrifice by
lineage of
name change of
as opposed to Sodom's destruction
Sarah as half sister of
and Sarah in Egypt
Absalom
Acts of the Apostles
authorship of
quoted
AD (anno Domini)
Adam
creation of
descendants of
disobedience of
first wife of
meaning of word
punishment of
Adonijah
adultery:
Abraham's exposure of Sarah to
of David and Bathsheba
of Gomer
in New Testament
punishment for
Seventh Commandment on
in U.S. military
adultery (continued)
as women's crime
Aesop
Afghanistan
African Americans, U.S. slavery and
Agamemnon
Agrippina
Ahab
death of
Ahasuerus
Ahaz
Ahaziah
Ahmose (Amosis)
Ai
Akkadia, Akkadians
Alexander the Great
Alexandria
Library at
Alphabet of Ben Sira
Amasa
Amaziah
Amenemhet
Amenemope
Amenhet
Amenhotep
Amenhotep
Amenhotep (Amenophis)
Amenhotep (Akhenaten)
Amenmesses
Ammonites
Amnon
Amon
Amorites
Amos
Amos, Book of
quoted
Amraphel
Ananias
Anatolia
Andrew
angel(s)
in Annunciation