The Rise and Fall of Ancient Israel covers the Old Testament books of Joshua, Judges, 1 and 2 Kings, 1 and 2 Chronicles, Amos, Hosea and Jeremiah. Study the ways in which God cares for His Chosen People in good times and bad times, as they turn away from God in rebellion and then turn back to Him in repentance. About the Series: Especially designed for families to do together, “Come and See” Catholic Bible Study series presents the rich heritage of the Catholic Faith in clear and simple language. With its practical direction for leaders, easy-to-use workbook format, and appealing design, this Bible study series is ideal for use in the classroom, home study, or parish catechesis.

A bold reassessment of what caused the Late Bronze Age collapse In 1177 B.C., marauding groups known only as the "Sea Peoples" invaded Egypt. The pharaoh's army and navy managed to defeat them, but the victory so weakened Egypt that it soon slid into decline, as did most of the surrounding civilizations. After centuries of brilliance, the civilized world of the Bronze Age came to an abrupt and cataclysmic end. Kingdoms fell like dominoes over the course of just a few decades. No more Minoans or Mycenaeans. No more Trojans, Hittites, or Babylonians. The thriving economy and cultures of the late second millennium B.C., which had stretched from Greece to Egypt and Mesopotamia, suddenly ceased to exist, along with writing systems, technology, and monumental architecture. But the Sea Peoples alone could not have caused such widespread breakdown. How did it happen? In this major new account of the causes of this "First Dark Ages," Eric Cline tells the gripping story of how the end was brought about by multiple interconnected failures, ranging from invasion and revolt to earthquakes, drought, and the cutting of international trade routes. Bringing to life the vibrant multicultural world of these great civilizations, he draws a sweeping panorama of the empires and globalized peoples of the Late Bronze Age and shows that it was their very interdependence that hastened their dramatic collapse and ushered in a dark age that lasted centuries. A compelling combination of narrative and the latest scholarship, 1177 B.C. sheds new light on the complex ties that gave rise to, and ultimately destroyed, the flourishing civilizations of the Late Bronze Age—and that set the stage for the emergence of classical Greece.

This work is composed of three outstanding lectures about the emergence of the ancient Israelites and their religion presented at a symposium held at the Smithsonian Institution in the fall of 1991. Professors William Dever, Baruch Halpern, and P. Kyle McCarter Jr., specialists in the fields of biblical archaeology and Near Eastern studies, present provocative theories on the arrival of the Israelites in ancient Canaan and the provenance of their religion. Did the Israelites enter Canaan according to the books of Joshua and Judges or were they already there as part of the indigenous population? Is there any reality to the biblical account of the Exodus? Where and when did belief in the God Yahweh originate? Edited under the aegis of Shanks, the well-known editor of Biblical Archaeological Review and Bible Review, this work can easily be understood by interested lay readers. Highly recommended for larger collections. Robert A. Silver, Shaker Heights P.L., Ohio. Library Journal.

By subjecting biblical writings to a political analysis, Sicker constructs a plausible political history of the ancient Israelite states that dealt with virtually every issue faced by governments throughout subsequent history. As he makes clear, the way they dealt with those issues, successfully or otherwise, is highly instructive and relevant to today's analysis of geopolitical issues. Our knowledge of the political history of ancient Israel is almost exclusively dependent on the information that may be gleaned from biblical writings, which reflect a historiosophical perspective very different from that employed in modern historical writing. Nonetheless and despite all the problems encountered in dealing with the biblical texts, the history of the ancient Israelite states that can be derived from them has much to offer a student of politics. Instead of the critical literary analysis common to contemporary biblical studies, Sicker constructs a plausible political history of the ancient Israelite states that takes into consideration the geopolitical realities that directly conditioned much of that history as well as the religious dimensions of Israelite political culture that played a critical role in it. He demonstrates that the ancient Israelite states were confronted by virtually every political dilemma, domestic and international, encountered by states and governments throughout the subsequent history of the world. The way they dealt with the issues, successfully or otherwise, is highly instructive and relevant to the complex issues faced by states and governments today.

The History of Ancient Israel: A Guide for the Perplexed provides the student with the perfect guide to why and how the history of this most contested region has been studies, and why it continues to be studied today. Philip R. Davies, one of the leading scholars of Ancient Israel in recent years, begins by examining the relevance of the study of Ancient Israel, giving an overview of the sources and issues facing historians in approaching the material. Davies then continues by looking at the various theories and hypotheses that scholars have advanced throughout the 20th century, showing how different approaches are presented and in some cases how they are both underpinned and undermined by a range of ideological perspectives. Davies also explains the rise and fall of Biblical Archaeology, the 'maximalist/minimalist' debate. After this helpful survey of past methodologies Davies introduces readers to the current trends in biblical scholarship in the present day, covering areas such as cultural memory, the impact of literary and social scientific theory, and the notion of 'invented history'. Finally, Davies considers the big question: how the various sources of knowledge can be combined to write a modern history that combines and accounts for all the data available, in a meaningful way. This new guide will be a must for students of the Hebrew Bible/Old Testament.

A coherent, forceful, and compelling case for God and the Church founded by Jesus of Nazareth. This is a remarkable achievement of solid, factual, information that is loaded with ammunition for the new evangelization. Contains colorful vignettes of historic moments alternating with sustained argument. Marks challenges the reader to set aside long-held assumptions and prejudices. Jesus is the only one who proclaimed himself sinless and the only one who ever claimed to be God. His followers converted an entire empire without resort to violence, and after winning Rome they not only gave the world its calendar but transformed pagan culture beyond recognition. These hard, cold facts are presented here with copious notes for easy identification of persons, events, or doctrines that may be unfamiliar. The reader will also find a detailed index and useful appendices.