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19 of 20 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Brings it all together, 8 Mar 2005
The bible's origins aren't so much secret, Callahan argues, as hidden or ignored. To him, revealing those underlying aspects of The Books will provide society with a better grasp of what it believes. He hopes that by enlarging the knowledge of the roots of belief, such tragedies as the assassination of Itzak Rabin or the destruction of the World Trade Center might be avoided. If the origins are understood, perhaps the fallacies can be stripped away. With a view unclouded by myth and/or fixed vision imparted by authorities, the historical antecedents of biblical writings are clearly shown. With that clarity may come a new way of regarding the worth of the Anthology's contents. In this well-written and careful overview, Callahan offers insights into the foundations of Judeo-Christian mythology.Callahan reminds us that the home of the biblical writers was an integrated part of Near Eastern society. Trade routes crisscrossed the Levant, often followed by conquering or retreating armies. Sometimes, whole populations were uprooted and displaced. The result, he contends, is a blending of peoples, their legends and beliefs. Teachings on matters practical and divine were introduced, tried, accepted or replaced. It's not surprising the phrase "There's nothing new under the sun" originated there - there was an intense exchange of ideas and information. Some of the ideas were incorporated by scribes belonging to a subset of the peoples living near the Mediterranean shore - the Jews. In explaining the sources of biblical myth, the author essentially follows the sequence of the books laid down by Protestant clerics. In the second part of the collection he even cites Matthew prior to Mark, although the latter's writing preceded the former by two generations. Throughout the text, from Genesis onward, Callahan shows how earlier legends of other peoples were incorporated by biblical writers and editors into the texts. He shows how societies older than the Palestinian peoples the Jews emerged from contributed to the Jewish creation myth, their romantic escapades and their forays into monotheism. They also appear to have imitated the division of authority into a visible ruler buttressed by hidden coteries of priest-scribes. These latter were the knowledgeable scholars who transformed commonly believed mythologies into something unique for the subject population. Callahan recognises that reassessment of biblical origins is of more concern among Christians than the Jewish faithful. He shows how fundamentalist Christian commentators in the USA bend and twist the myths to suit a local agenda. This is not a widespread movement, no matter how loud its protestations of "authenticity", he notes. His technique recounts how the myth is viewed today, how it was likely dealt with by the Jewish scribes and from where they derived it in other peoples' legends. "Authenticity" is thus smeared thinly over stretches of time and location, rendering "origins" a vague notion. The author has taken a variety of sources in compiling this study, including ancient writings, monuments, archaeological finds and text analysis. For the "serious" bible student, it's an excellent starting point in understanding how the stories have evolved over time. He is a clear writer, using some good graphic material to enhance the relationships he builds. A worthwhile read for anyone interested in how myths are built from early sources. [stephen a. haines - Ottawa, Canada]
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by Tim Callahan
by Richard Dawkins
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