I was first introduced to Oxford historian Robin Lane Fox when I read his book, Pagans and Christians. In addition to authoring many scholarly works, Lane Fox has written on a variety of topics for the general public. What I enjoy most about his writing style is that he occasionally breaks the fourth wall and writes directly to you, the reader. He shares his intentions so that you can follow his train of thought throughout the work. This puts the reader on the lookout and because you understand what he is trying to achieve, you have the luxury of deciding if you agree with his approach while you read rather than react to it after the fact.

I’ve read other reviews of Lane Fox’s book and several of them refer to his dry style and the sloggish nature of the book. I wholeheartedly disagree. I found The Oxford History of the Biblical World to be more dry because of its more formal style. No breaking of the fourth wall there. Lane Fox not only speaks directly to his dear reader, he throws in little bits of dry English humor that bring you up from the slog to laugh a bit. My favorite is this: “There were ancient prophesies of a future king, the ‘stem of Jesse’, chosen by the Lord: many of the most explicit texts about him had been invented under foreign domination during the years of exile in Babylon. Ideas of this future super-star had multiplied freely…”

In writing The Unauthorized Version, Lane Fox, an atheist, set out to explain for himself and others what he meant when he once told a friend, “I believe in the Bible but not in God.” He starts by considering a question. “In John’s Gospel, Jesus tells Pilate, ‘To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth hearest my voice.’ ‘What is truth?’ asks Pilate and does not receive a reply.” (pp 13)

Lane Fox then explains what he intends to achieve with his book: “I intend to take Pilate’s question and turn it back on the Bible itself. First, I will explore the view that the Bible’s very nature and origin give it a coherence which answers Pilate’s question. Then I will explore its narrative to see if there is a level at which it corresponds to fact.” (pp 14)

I won’t give away Lane Fox’s plot. You’ll have to read the book if you want to learn what he concludes. I will say, however, that there’s a fascinating plot twist in his final conclusion that is moving whether you’re a believer or not. ( )

I'm interested in this subject, and there were lots of tidbits of information, but the author's presentation of it was almost unbearably dry and slow. ( )

When he disagrees with some other author, he just claims superiority. No reason given. Some good points of the relationship between archeology and bible history. ( )

Robin Lane Fox writes in his preface, "It is unauthorized because it addresses question which the Bible itself obscures: Its authors, historical growth and historical truth."

This scholarly work delves into both Hebrew and Christian scriptures and pieces together the times, places, authors and ways in which the Bible was written. Well-researched and developed, Fox takes the reader through the dense forest of biblical research and explains how he has reached the conclusion that some books were not written by who readers often believe the author to be and why they were not written in a contemporary (to the event) time frame. It's fascinating, but be warned, Fox's writing is frequently dense and can, at times feel like a slog. Definitely worth the effort. ( )

Lots of good scholarship here, but marred by Fox's obtuse writing style. His book on Alexander the Great is far more readable, as are Bart Ehrman's books on the veracity (or lack thereof) of the Bible. Still worth picking up, however. ( )