Summary
Title: Historical Atlas of the Holy Lands
Author: Karen Farrington
Publisher: Checkmark Books
ISBN: 0816052190
Pro:
• Clear, understandable explanations of history and archaeology
• Introduction of scholarly debates on the historicity of the Bible
Con:
• Very introductory
Description:
• Atlas of cities, places, and archaeological sites throughout the Holy Lands
• 160 full-color, black-and-white photographs and illustrations
• 50 full-color maps
Book Review
It’s impossible to read the Bible without being constantly confronted with geography. The Bible continually expresses a strong sense of “place,” of being rooted in particular places which are themselves relative to other known places. The various authors describe events occurring in particular cities or towns which likely would have been familiar to listeners and readers, so the location of these places as well as their geographic relationship to other sites is helpful in better understanding what’s being described.
Karen Farrington’s Historical Atlas of the Holy Lands is a handy reference for this kind of information. Every major site and city from the Bible is addressed here — more than 45 places in all — with maps that locate its position in the overall region, photographs of what it looks like now, as well as information about archaeological digs there and the information which science today is revealing about the ancient world.
In some cases, the archaeological evidence doesn’t conform to what the Bible relates and Farrington explains the academic debates that are occurring. She is obviously concerned, though, with not “weakening” anyone’s faith. More than once she insists that contradictions between archaeology and the Bible need not undermine a person’s faith — I expect that this is so the book wouldn’t be rejected by the broad potential audience of conservative evangelical and fundamentalist readers.
The fact of the matter is, though, archaeology does undermine some faith — faith in an inerrant, infallible Bible, for example. It’s not a surprise that a book like this, aimed at a general audience, wouldn’t say this outright, but it is disappointing nonetheless.
Farrington further provides social and political information about each area. The concept “Holy Land” isn’t just geographic, it’s psychological. It connotes a special relationship people feel that they have to the land which, in turn, has significant consequences for their relationships with other human beings — especially those who also believe that they have a unique relationship with the same land.
The conflicts engendered by such religious feelings have helped define the Middle East today, but conflict has been a part of the history of the region for millennia. As home to some of the oldest civilizations on the planet, it’s also been home to war and strife between those civilizations. Farrington thus covers Babylon, Assyria, Greece, and Egypt as well.
An experienced journalist, Farrington uses straightforward language and accessible prose that invites the reader to learn more. The photographs help the reader to feel a bit like they are really there while the maps do a good job showing the overall geographic situation. The book is aimed at students, grade 9 and up, so the primary users will be libraries and young people, but it should serve well for anyone seeking a historical and geographic overview of the Middle East. It’s certainly not for advanced study, but it may help people who are just starting out.
