Oxford Bible Atlas

Rating:
Summary: Coursework texts Palestinian Archaeology, Oberlin College
Review: Professor May admitted me to the upper level religion course without
101,102 on the basis that I had requested permission to take the
course having read James Michener's The Source the summer before
on the Cape, where I also took in the Gilbert and Sullivan opera,
Iolanthe.

Professor May used three paperbacks, Wm. Albright, Kathleen Kenyon,
and the pbk version of his Oxford Bible Atlas.

A genteel, gracious man, hair parted midway, a tall man,the class
met in Peters Hall, on top of which the astronomy telescope, and
in the lobby, sit ins by SDS.

For some reason, however, reading much later than spring of
69 when I took his course, maybe six years ago, a Jehovah's
Witness text, in the book of Micah a mention of Lod and Ono
which have disappeared mysteriously. Sure enough, no mention
of Lod and Ono for the book of Micah in the index of the OBA.

I arrived on the campus of Vanderbilt wandering about one day,
sunny autumnal day, and came to a yellow red brick bdlg,
a cornerstone chiseled to the effect that the Oberlin Theology
School had moved.

It was news to me that day in Nashville. I had been admitted
to the PhD program in molecular biology.

That spring at Oberlin Professor May gave me a B on my
term paper in which I gathered all the references in the large library there to Nabataea.

The paper was late.

He passed around a paper of the year before, symbols on one
of the temples in the area, A, publishable, while handing
our term papers back.

He also for some reason called me to his office,after the course, in his business suit, another gentleman, shorter, also in a suit, inviting
me to attend the American School in Beirut. I shall have
been drinking buddy's with Osama supposedly.

I was embarrased, could hear him asking me to go to Lebanon.

I was embarrassed for my believing Oberlin was the strongest
intellectual academic environment in the Occident, Levant or
Orient. I had gone out for intramural wrestling that year and
had promise of a girl friend the next year in autumn.

I suppose I also believed at that time that my draft status
was 4-F not 2-S, for another quarter of a century would I
in my deaf hearing aided world muster the sounds of 4-F 2-S.

Also... in 89 I was advised by a jock in my department,biology, my
class, surprise, SDS, I was hunkering down for the cigarrette.
He walked up, I mentioned I was having a fag. He said
nonchallently, they're plenty of them around here. That was
the Vietnam Era Reunion for the classes 65-73.. then back at
Oberlin the men meeting in Max Kade German House, the ladies
in the adjacent French House.

In 1969 I was innocent of the purported environment, a non drinker, non smoker, athelete, hetero.

I believe I am still embarassed in refusing Professor May's
proffering a transfer to American University in Lebanon.

Mohammed was sure of 9 rules of hygiene and unsure of the 10th.
Keeping nails and teeth clean, are one or the other the 10th
uncertain rule of discipline. I had come across Mohammed's 10 rules of hygiene on the internet. I do not personally remember the other eight.

Belief in an intellectual academic citadel whereupon to attain
the deflowerment of my virginity, I had gone to sanctuary.

I had made a decision, having achieved deflowerment, I was not
seeking a hetero sanctuary in Lebanon.

I later received a 1-Y card.

I am honored now, remembering Professor May's honoring me with
an invitation to the American School in Lebanon.

I am truly honored to have known this gentleman personally.

I have The Spire in pdf's, on my iMac, the Vanderbilt Theology
magazine, in particular, Vol. 23, No. 2, Fall 2002.

I am continuing readings in the Scottish School of philosophy,
in particular, a pdf of the book by James McCosh, _The Scottish Philosophy_, London, MacMillan, 1875.

I am also enamored of Packard Technology's Complete Christian
Collection, Finney et alia, as well Spurgeon, PM, Sept 26.

Rating:
Summary: Oxford Bible Atlas
Review: The Oxford Bible Atlas, edited by Herbert G. May, is a detailed, extremely useful book that will heighten anyone's general understanding of biblical geography. It contains more than maps as it delves into the history behind the maps, and the archaeology behind the history. It cites biblical sources but also cites apocryphal books unfamiliar to most Protestant readers. The end result is a colorful, informative work that helps place both Old and New testaments into perspective.

The book is divided into three sections, the first introducing the ancient world, then the several maps, and concluding with an archaeological overview. Part one blends seemingly incompatible topics of biblical and geologic history. It includes biblical and secular accounts of ancient history. The atlas does not attempt to expound too greatly on the "Holy Land" as being somehow superior in importance. In fact the Holy Land occupies an important crossroads between east and west more so than it stands as a regional religious center of its own merit. Those who held power such as David, Herod, or even Pontius Pilate were rarely more than a regional or even local rulers who paled in stature when compared to Alexander or any of the Roman Emperors.

The map section covers most of the primary locations mentioned in the Bible, and illustrates the vastness of the biblical lands. Many maps retain ancient place names, though the primary focus is on the Near East. There are some areas not covered, such as the city of Tarshish, Jonah's destination when he attempted to flee from his responsibilities, and the route of the Exodus does not take them across either the Red Sea, or either the modern Gulf of Suez or Gulf of Aqaba. But these apparent omissions do little to detract from the overall effectiveness of the maps.

The final section is akin to a primer on biblical archaeology. It introduces Carbon 14 dating, how a site is developed, and a brief history of archaeological efforts in the region. It shows how cultures are understood by what has survived through the ages, and helps fill gaps when written records are not available.

The end result is a very informative atlas that readers of many different backgrounds will appreciate.

Rating:
Summary: Oxford Bible Atlas
Review: The Oxford Bible Atlas, edited by Herbert G. May, is a detailed, extremely useful book that will heighten anyone's general understanding of biblical geography. It contains more than maps as it delves into the history behind the maps, and the archaeology behind the history. It cites biblical sources but also cites apocryphal books unfamiliar to most Protestant readers. The end result is a colorful, informative work that helps place both Old and New testaments into perspective.

The book is divided into three sections, the first introducing the ancient world, then the several maps, and concluding with an archaeological overview. Part one blends seemingly incompatible topics of biblical and geologic history. It includes biblical and secular accounts of ancient history. The atlas does not attempt to expound too greatly on the "Holy Land" as being somehow superior in importance. In fact the Holy Land occupies an important crossroads between east and west more so than it stands as a regional religious center of its own merit. Those who held power such as David, Herod, or even Pontius Pilate were rarely more than a regional or even local rulers who paled in stature when compared to Alexander or any of the Roman Emperors.

The map section covers most of the primary locations mentioned in the Bible, and illustrates the vastness of the biblical lands. Many maps retain ancient place names, though the primary focus is on the Near East. There are some areas not covered, such as the city of Tarshish, Jonah's destination when he attempted to flee from his responsibilities, and the route of the Exodus does not take them across either the Red Sea, or either the modern Gulf of Suez or Gulf of Aqaba. But these apparent omissions do little to detract from the overall effectiveness of the maps.

The final section is akin to a primer on biblical archaeology. It introduces Carbon 14 dating, how a site is developed, and a brief history of archaeological efforts in the region. It shows how cultures are understood by what has survived through the ages, and helps fill gaps when written records are not available.

The end result is a very informative atlas that readers of many different backgrounds will appreciate.