Join our Community
Support ToI and remove all ads
Learn more
×

Biblical Criticism

Matt Damon plays Odysseus in Christopher Nolan's film adaptation of Homer's 'The Odyssey.' (Melinda Sue Gordon/Universal Pictures via JTA)
July 17, 2026, 10:55 am
As Christopher Nolan revives ‘The Odyssey,’ a scholar links Homer and the Bible
What do a wily Greek king and the heroes and heroines of Genesis have in common? Academic and author Jacob Howland highlights more than a few points as the film premieres in the US on Friday
By Andrew Silow-Carroll
Rembrandt's Moses with the Ten Commandments,1659, Germaldegalerie, Staatliche Museen, Berlin (photo credit: Google Art Poject / Wikipedia Commons)
June 6, 2025, 8:10 am
Who wrote the Bible? A pioneering new algorithm may shatter scholarly certitude
Breakthrough method analyzes word distribution to clarify origins of biblical passages — including disputed stories in Genesis, Samuel and Esther
By Rossella Tercatin
An illustrative picture of Israelites reading from a scroll. (iStock photos)
March 24, 2024, 10:52 am
How the Bible – and the Purim story – helped form a nation from an exiled people
In his bestseller ‘Why the Bible Began,’ theology Prof. Jacob L. Wright challenges conventional thought on the holy book’s history, positing that it was not all about religion
By Rich Tenorio
Illustration from the 13th century Morgan Bible, of David bringing the Ark into Jerusalem. (Public domain)
December 17, 2022, 10:05 am
How priests, prophets and kings united Israel in monotheism and codified the Torah
In ‘The Book of Revolutions,’ Rabbi Edward Feld analyzes three of the Bible’s main precepts, written over hundreds of years and later compiled by exiled priests in Babylon
By Rich Tenorio
Michelangelo's fresco 'La Creazione' ('The Creation') on the ceiling of the Vatican's Sistine Chapel. (AP Photo/Plinio Lepri)
June 5, 2022, 2:32 pm
Is God circumcised? How people in ancient times viewed the Heavenly Body
In new book, Francesca Stavrakopoulou displays God as portrayed by His early worshipers: with genitals, passions, powers – and a penchant for the monstrous
By Rich Tenorio
Rabbi Shais Rishon speaks at a rally in New York City, January 2020. (Gili Getz via JTA)
March 17, 2021, 4:53 am
Anti-racism advocate / rabbi / rapper publishes contemporary Torah commentary
Black Orthodox Rabbi Shais Rishon examines Judaism’s foundational text with an eye on race and gender within the framework of tradition
By Josefin Dolsten
Gerard van Honthorst, 'Adoration of the Shepherds,' 1622. 'The Bible With and Without Jesus' looks at verses that can be interpreted to predict Jesus's birth. (Public domain)
December 25, 2020, 4:32 pm
The Bible without Jesus? How two faiths can read the same text in dissonant ways
Amy-Jill Levine and Marc Brettler parse opposing interpretations Jews and Christians have of the same Bible, and make the argument that religion doesn’t have to be a zero-sum game
By Rich Tenorio
Rabbi Joshua Berman. (Courtesy)
May 28, 2020, 12:06 pm
Orthodoxy can withstand an unflinching, academic look at the Bible, says scholar
In new book ‘Ani Maamin,’ Bar-Ilan University prof/Orthodox rabbi Joshua Berman faces crises of faith head on, using academic research to uphold the integrity of the biblical text
By Sam Sokol
Load More

Sign in or Join The Times of Israel Community

Sign in or Register

Paying ToI Community members are invited to comment on articles
Please use the following structure: example@domain.com
Or Continue with
By joining you agree to the terms and conditions
Register to continue
Or Continue with
Log in to continue
Sign in or Join The Times of Israel Community
Sign in or Register
Only ToI Community members can comment below articles
Forgot your password? / Send me a login link
Or Continue with
check your email
Check your email
We sent an email to you at .
It has a link that will sign you in.
Join The Times of Israel Community
Commenting is available for paying members of The Times of Israel Community only. Please join our Community to comment and enjoy other Community benefits.
Please use the following structure: example@domain.com
Confirm Mail
Thank you! Now check your email
You are now a member of The Times of Israel Community! We sent you an email with a login link to . Once you're set up, you can start enjoying Community benefits and commenting.
Back to top
Never miss breaking news on Israel
Get notifications to stay updated
You're subscribed
image
Register for free
and continue reading
Registering allows you to manage your newsletters and alerts and helps us improve your experience. It takes just a few seconds.
Already registered? Enter your email to sign in.
Please use the following structure: example@domain.com
Or Continue with
By registering you agree to the terms and conditions. Once registered, you’ll receive our Daily Edition email for free.
Register to continue
Or Continue with
Log in to continue
Sign in or Register
I forgot my password / Send me a sign in link
Or Continue with
check your email
Check your email
We sent an email to you at .
It has a link that will sign you in.