Who Wrote the Bible?

It is really a good book. The documentary hypothesis is the best explanation of how the Torah came to be. Dr. Friedman knowledge of scripture and ancient religion , specially semitic texts is incredible . However Dr Friedman's interpretation of history and archeology reminds me of a quote related to an agnostic, the quote says " an agnostic is a atheist with no valor (it actually says b...)". The vast majority of archeologists , biblical historians believe that the events of the Biblical Exodus never happened . The historical figures of ancient patriarchs , Abraham, Isaac , Jacob have been dismissed by the overwhelming Biblical scholar community as historical figures. Moses himself was a mythological figure not an historical one. The conquest of Canaan by Joshua is also not historical, archeology has proven that it did not happen as told in the Torah. Get yourself a pair Dr Friedman.

This is basically a scholarly book for the laymen.
A very interesting exposition of how, when and by whom the the old testament was created.
A story for both believers and non-believers about the most important foundation document of western civilization and literature.

First of all understand that this book is mostly about the five books that Moses is supposed to have written. The Old Testament for me is a morass that has always left me frustrated and puzzled. Obviously, it has little of real redeeming social value or spiritual use for mankind, but even beyond that is just the way that it leaves you going "huh?" all the time. I had come to the conclusion myself that the Old Testament speaks with, as I put it, 'more than one voice.' Well, well, well, turns out that's exactly right!

This book is very readable, well laid out, and takes you step by step through the process of how and why different authors wrote the things they did and what their probable motives were. It explains that there really are too many factual contradictions in the Bible, and too many stories that repeat, for it to have one author. This book mainly deals with the first 5 books, and a bit with the next six, not the whole Bible.
The big key is knowing that the first 5 books were written by four different authors at different stages of Jewish history and were then knitted together also at two opportune times in their history. At last it all makes sense and we can give up the infatuations and superstitions regarding its authorship.

At the same time, believe it or not, this book has helped me see that there is more good in the Old Testament than I thought, because so much of the horrible stuff was inserted later, and because if one author has something positive to say and it is later negated in the same text, I no longer have to consider the entire thing as incoherent.

This book opened my eyes to the scholarly work involved over hundreds of years into this topic. Aside from what has been found, imagine all the documents lost over the past 2000 years. And still, the history was recorded and consolidated into the Bible.

As I read through the process of putting the stories of the bible together from mixed sources one must remember it is the work of individuals with their own cultural situations over hundreds of years. In many cases, history has validated some of the events and the rest must be taken on faith.

The bottom line on the book is that it has been well researched.

A lot of information not available to the lay person however common knowledge to scholars. Recommended to everybody who wants to know a little bit more about the Bible than what is teach in Bible School.

I found this book to be well written and presented the facts for what current Bible scholars think about who and when the old testament was written. This book discusses the old testament and mainly the Pentateuch. Look elsewhere for similar information on the gospels and the new testament.

Great book. The way the author explains and guide you through the thought process of his work is excellent. I have always wondered why the bible would quote the same thing but with different t wording in context. This book explain it from his point.

Friedman mitigates considerable apprehension and tension generated by the Documentary Hypothesis of Julius Wellhausen. This
theory, which Friedman calls the Big Mistake, was built on the—now disproven—idea that the first 27 chapters of Leviticus,
also known as the Priestly Code—along with other portions of the Pentateuch—was a post-exilic work and that the Tabernacle in
the Wilderness never existed but was a representation of the Second Temple under Nehemiah and company. Well, not so,
according to more recent scholarship and some archeological support which is good news for our faith.

But Friedman doesn't want us to be scared away from the idea of a couple scribes, a well known prophets and a priest
or 2 actually gathering the Mosaic traditions and forming what he calls the first attempt by anyone at writing a
history—Genesis to 2 Kings.

The Christian writer Andreas von Maes stated over four hundred years ago "But in truth there is no great need for contending
concerning the writer, as long as we believe that God is the author, both of the events themselves and of the words wherewith
they have been communicated to us…." From Masius’ Commentariorum in Josuam Praefato (1574), quoted in E. M. Gray, Old
Testament Criticism, p. 58.

My Faith is very much alive!

This is an approachable work that rather frankly answers the question posed by its title. Friedman does a good job of acknowledging his theories weaknesses and admitting how his thinking has changed over time. I appreciate that the most: a good scientist follows the data.

Friedman supports his arguments well and provides ample justification for his conclusions. Not to say that his proposals are perfect, but that's for the reader to decide.

An interesting and educating book. I can say that I learned a lot.

I researched this book thoroughly before buying it a couple weeks ago, and it was highly rated; I've not seen anythiing yet inconsistent with the high rating it has received, and I expect this book will undoubtedly be one of my go-to books for future reference.

A very interesting and informative book. All Christians should read this book. The Christian’s Holy Bible is a book of fiction written by unknown ancient Hebrew fiction story writers at unknown dates in history. “Who Wrote the Bible” sheds some light on who the ancient Hebrew fiction story writers were and when and where they lived. The Christian God is purely a mental invention in the minds of ancient Hebrew fiction story writers. I will never be able to understand how Christians can actually believe that the fictional character God (Yahweh) is actually real

While many biblical scholars had published researches that incur the wrath of fundamentalists, Friedman's book has received mostly positive reviews, even from the fundamentalists. The author has displayed great humility, sincerity and restrain in this book, and I surmise these qualities are what set him and his work apart from his peers.

Mr. Friedman is an extreemly knowledgeable scholar of the Old Testament. His words are concise, easy to read and understand. I am very pleased with my purchase. One small disappointment is a scarcity of information concerning the New Testament.

Finally you get to know smth about those people who shaped the history of the west. Reading it from a muslim prospective is very interesting indeed because the book just proves you the verse “Then woe to those who write the Book with their own hands and then say, “This is from Allaah,” to purchase with it a little price! Woe to them for what their hands have written and woe to them for that they earn thereby” [al-Baqarah 2:79].
The author clearly states that the writers of the old Testament shaped their narratives to fit the situation they found themselves in and in a way or another tried to please the rulers or the people of that time.
Despite the fact that there might be truths on the narrative they have, biased narrations and bold nationalism have affected the once sacred texts greatly.

Presents erudition in and detailed knowledge of this subject that I didn't know existed.
Unbelievably well presented and readable.
I have already recommended it to others.
I am reading it through for a second time.

Covers parts of the old testament. Mostly analysis of the writers of the bible based on the political climate and history of the time. I found myself agreeing with the author a lot of the time, his theories make sense, could be true and sound more likely than a lot of theories about the origin of the Bible. Very readable,and no religious nonsense, just some theories based on evidence.

Unless you have some prior knowledge it can get a bit confusing. It was not as enlightening or lively as I thought it might be. I read it cover to cover over a brief round trip to Florida. If I hadn't needed to kill the intense boredom from flying I'm not sure I would have finished it.

When I bought this book on the store.com the Discover Card encryption went though with no problem. Two other books I bought there from other vendors couldn't get the encrypted card to go though thus the orders for two books had to be rejected.

Dave Carter
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