Biblical Literacy

"The Bible . . . is a locked treasure for those unfamiliar with the Scriptures. . . . Beal offers a key with his accessible guide." —Cleveland Plain Dealer

Timothy Beal's Biblical Literacy is a one-stop course in the Bible passages and background information that everyone needs to know to navigate our nuanced cultural landscape—from devout believers to decided atheists, average citizens to pop-culture aficionados. Like Religion in America, Religion and its Monsters, and his other highly acclaimed books, Beal's Biblical Literacy is a must-have handbook for understanding today's world.


"With skill and insight, Timothy Beal has given us a great gift: a lucid and engaging introduction to the most important book ever published." —Jon Meacham, Pulitzer prize-winning author of American Lion

"Tim Beal has written about the rich, thick connections between the Bible and popular culture . . . In a society of deep and dangerous disconnects, the connects of this book serve exceedingly well." —Walter Brueggemann, author of The Prophetic Imagination

"A readable, informative and timely book." —Harvey Cox, Hollis Research Professor of Divinity, Harvard University, and author of The Future of Faith

"Here you will find numerous gems of the Jewish and Christian Scriptures, along with pithy, helpful, and at times even witty, introductions." —Bart D. Ehrman, James A. Gray Professor of Religious Studies, University of North Caroline, Author of Jesus, Interrupted

"Beal . . . makes a well-stated case that a knowledge of the Bible is essential to understanding our culture. His book will serve as a handy first step toward that goal— especially for the reader who may feel intimidated by 'the boring bits.'" —Bookpage