The Bible Chronicle

Derek Williams

Eagle. 1997 £30 ISBN 0863471833

 

This is a quite simply a superb book based on the concept behind the very successful "Chronicle" series of books. These have made history more accessible, especially for younger readers, by taking historical events and writing them in the style of a newspaper with punchy headings and as short contemporary eyewitness accounts.

What makes the Bible Chronicle special is that it applies this popular concept to all the important events and teaching of the Bible and integrates them with the history of the ancient world. Most Christians would admit to finding the Old Testament difficult to read for at least two reasons.

Firstly, working out how books like the Psalms, Ecclesiastes or the Prophetic writings like Isaiah and Jeremiah fit within biblical history is not easy. Even attempting to place the Pauline Epistles within the historical narrative of the Acts of the Apostles is a challenge to most Christians. Other have attempted a chronology of the biblical texts, although most of these are technical and certainly beyond the reach of the young. None, however, have succeeded as well as Derek Williams in the Bible Chronicle. Under the careful eye of Carl Amerding, John Bimson, Gordon McConville and David Wenham, all well known Old Testament scholars, the Bible story is laid out in the order in which the events took place, events being dated as accurately as possible. In the Bible Chronicle, the world of the Scriptures comes alive with a freshness, an immediacy and accuracy that is a delight to read.

The second difficulty many Christians face is placing the biblical narrative within the wider world history. Here the Bible Chronicle excels. On every page biblical events are placed along side news of what was (is) happening in the surrounding countries such as Egypt, Assyria and Greece, as well as in other parts of the world. Summaries of important events occurring in the world are covered in "Fast Facts" which help to place the bible within the wider historical context.

The book can be read from beginning to end as a living paraphrase and commentary on the Bible. With the help of the detailed index and a date line appearing on each page, however, it is possible to find key events and subjects and read them in isolation. I found inevitably though my curiosity led me to explore events happening at the same time in other places. Surely the best way to encourage learning?

Helpful maps, diagrams and photographs illuminate both the Scriptures as well as what was happening further afield. This book, like Keller’s classic "The Bible as History", will encourage Christians to recognise and have confidence in the historical development of God’s work of redemption. The author’s write with great respect for the integrity of the message of the Bible and allow it to explain itself. This book may even inspire a new generation of historians. There are few books that make history fun to read. This is one. Buy it!

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