Suffering in an unjust world is the theme of this book. God punishes Job, a wealthy and pious man, after giving an assertion to Satan that his subject will never curse him. It goes on to explain why Job has suffered, raising ethical questions about the nature of divinity. The text is introduced by author Louis de Bernieres
This volume presents the Old Testament book of Samuel, with an introduction by Meir Shalev. In two parts, the book tells the story of one of the most charismatic of Old Testament characters, King David and his meteoric rise and inevitable fall.
This volume presents the texts of two Old Testament books, Ruth and Esther, two of the very few biblical stories to focus on women. Ruth in particular has attracted much attention from feminist scholars, though it reinforces age-old notions of male dominance. With an introduction by Joanna Trollope
In both the literary sense and content, this gospel differs dramatically from the others in that it expresses the movement towards agnosticism and is more concerned with explaining high concepts like truth, light, life and spirit than recounting historical fact. With an introduction by Blake Morrison
The Gospel According to Luke is the third, and longest, of the four gospels. It is an account of the life and ministry of Jesus of Nazareth and details the story of his life, from the events of his birth, to his crucifixion and the Ascension.
Alongside the epistles of Paul in the New Testament are short letters of four unknown early Christian writers, James, Peter, John and Jude. Those of Peter were composed in excellent Greek, James emphasizes the need for good works and Peter berates false prophets. With an introduction by the Dalai Lama.
Drawn from the wisdom of ancient oral tradition, this book contains two main doctrines: teaching the attainment of wisdom, and warning against life's pitfalls, from excessive drink to promiscuity. The text is introduced by Charles Johnson.
Paul was the most influential figure in the early Christian church. In this epistle, written to the founders of the church in Rome, he sets out some of his ideas on the importance of faith in overcoming mankind's innate sinfulness and in obtaining redemption. With an introduction by Ruth Rendell