Widely acknowledged as the best one-volume introduction to the Bible, this popular text explores the literary, historical, and contemporary worlds of the Bible, and is ideal for those who have had little or no previous exposure to the subject. Drawing on the most recent trends in biblical scholarship, the authors introduce students to the dynamics of each of these worlds and the methods scholars have developed to study them, and encourage students to engage in lively discussions of the contemporary significance of the Bible. The text is not meant to be a substitute for reading the Bible, but rather enables instructors and students to explore the Bible more meaningfully themselves.