"The Bible is the religious foundation for the vast majority of Americans, who read it for inspiration and instruction. . . . Polls show that it is the runaway favorite book for Americans of all kinds, and it is considered holy by a full 84 percent of the U.S. population," writes Kristen Swenson, a professor of religious studies at Virginia Commonwealth University's School of World Studies. Her goal in this book is to present "big-picture information about the Bible" and not to take a religious position, try to convert readers, or scoff at the beliefs of others. "The Bible is all around us, yet as alien as E.T.," she says in the opening chapter which provides a quick and easy overview of its organization and lingo. Next, she assesses the Jewish and Christian Bibles before moving on to the nettlesome topic of contexts and culture: the history behind the Bible. Swenson recommends getting a number of different translations of the Bible and comparing them.
The seventh and eighth chapters probe some of the combative ways people use Biblical texts today, especially in regard to controversial subjects such as science and the origins of the universe; homosexuality; abortion; poverty and prosperity; environmentalism; anti-Semitism; and the position of women. Swenson has a ball listing many of the quotes and misquotes from the Bible that have been launched from various people. The rest of the book covers Jesus, men, God, Satan, angels and demons, and biblical sites to be seen. One of the best things about Bible Babel is the author's wide-ranging and creative use of anecdotes and references to the Scriptures in films, popular music, fiction bestsellers, and celebrities.
