In this introductory book for students beginning academic study of the Bible, Brown provides basic information on the Bible (the languages of the Bible, how the verse structure came to be, and the history of the use of italics, for example) and surveys the various methods of biblical criticism. He clarifies the difference between Bible study and biblical studies, and provides twenty-eight "Rules of Thumb" for understanding, practicing, and "surviving" biblical scholarship.
This unique book addresses the problems students face in reconciling their faith with biblical studies while learning the jargon and surviving the onslaught of knowledge and prejudice they encounter in the seminary or university setting.
