{"product_id":"a-most-peculiar-book-the-inherent-strangeness-of-the-bible","title":"A Most Peculiar Book: The Inherent Strangeness of the Bible","description":"The Bible, we are constantly reminded, is the best-selling book of all time. It is read with intense devotion by hundreds of millions of people, stands as authoritative for Judaism and Christianity, and informs and affects the politics and lives of the religious and non-religious around the world. But how well do we really know it? The Bible is so familiar, so ubiquitous that we have begun to take our knowledge of it for granted. The Bible many of us think we know is a pale imitation of the real thing.\n\nIn A Most Peculiar Book, Kristin Swenson addresses the dirty little secret of biblical studies ― that the Bible is a weird book. It is full of surprises and contradictions, unexplained impossibilities, intriguing supernatural creatures, and heroes doing horrible deeds. It does not provide a simple worldview: what \"the Bible says\" on a given topic is multi-faceted, sometimes even contradictory. Yet, Swenson argues, we have a tendency to reduce the complexities of the Bible to aphorisms, bumper stickers, and slogans. Swenson helps readers look at the text with fresh eyes. A collection of ancient stories and poetry written by multiple authors, held together by the tenuous string of tradition, the Bible often undermines our modern assumptions. And is all the more marvelous and powerful for it.\n\nRather than dismiss the Bible as an outlandish or irrelevant relic of antiquity, Swenson leans into the messiness full-throttle. Making ample room for discomfort, wonder, and weirdness, A Most Peculiar Book guides readers through a Bible that will feel, to many, brand new.\u003cbr\u003eASIN: 0190651733\u003cbr\u003eVSKU: LFV.0190651733.A\u003cbr\u003eCondition: Acceptable\u003cbr\u003eAuthor\/Artist:Swenson, Kristin\u003cbr\u003eBinding: Hardcover\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eNote:\u003c\/b\u003e Any images shown are stock photographs and product may differ from what is shown.  \u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eCondition Notes\u003c\/b\u003e: Book is in acceptable condition.  May have shelf wear, edge wear, and spine wear, but a very readable copy.  May not come with supplemental materials if applicable.  Does not include original dustcover jacket.  Possibly Ex Library Copy  \u003cbr\u003e","brand":"Books for Life","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46350005305541,"sku":"LFV.0190651733.A","price":10.7,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0650\/2914\/4773\/files\/0190651733-0.jpg?v=1781198036","url":"https:\/\/www.booksforlife.store\/products\/a-most-peculiar-book-the-inherent-strangeness-of-the-bible","provider":"Books for Life","version":"1.0","type":"link"}