BRUSH UP YOUR BIBLE

This book opens up a veritable "bottomless pit" (Revelation) of biblical words and phrases that we quote every day and underlines the good book's far-reaching impact on our speech, ideas, and customs. By citing and explaining the original scriptural verses in which these phrases are found, author Michael Macrone makes the Bible fresh and inviting to experienced readers and to those who have never got any further than Genesis or the 23rd Psalm. Following the books of the Bible in sequence, he sheds light on key points in ... Read More

This book opens up a veritable "bottomless pit" (Revelation) of biblical words and phrases that we quote every day and underlines the good book's far-reaching impact on our speech, ideas, and customs. By citing and explaining the original scriptural verses in which these phrases are found, author Michael Macrone makes the Bible fresh and inviting to experienced readers and to those who have never got any further than Genesis or the 23rd Psalm. Following the books of the Bible in sequence, he sheds light on key points in biblical scholarship, summarizes theories on who wrote the Bible, untangles curious phrasings (what is manna anyway?), and shows just what a "tree of knowledge" (Genesis) the Bible is. Readers interested in religion and culture will be fascinated to discover how alive the good book remains in daily conversation, while word lovers will gain a deeper understanding of one of our language's richest sources. There is no substitute for reading the Bible, but this book provides the best companion to an enlightening and entertaining taste of the great Judeo-Christian writings at the very root of our culture. Read Less