Reviewed by: Carson D. Jacobs, Professional Writing Major, Taylor University

Introduction

Title: ZONDERVAN ESSENTIAL ATLAS OF THE BIBLE

Author: Carl G. Rasmussen

Publisher: Zondervan

Publication Date: 2013

Format: Print Book

Length: 160 Pages

OVERVIEW

Packed with information on each page, Zondervan’s Essential Atlas of the Bible is an historian’s dream. It is divided into two main sections: geographical and historical. The geographical section contains regional information complemented by climate maps, rainfall charts, and on-site photos of places such as Jordan, Israel, and Egypt. The historical section documents the intricate records of the biblical period. It starts in the beginning with the Garden of Eden and continues chronologically from there. Similarly, this section is brimming with helpful maps of Israel and the surrounding territories.

The primary audience of this atlas is Christians, as it was clearly written for them, but the book would hold up in a public library or the academic world as well. There are no theological revelations to be found in its pages, and the information given is generally neutral, but it does, at some points, assume that a Christian is reading it.

In conclusion, this book is a wonderful addition to the library of readers who wish they could better understand the series on conquest progressions and their locations in the Bible. Despite the general idea behind an atlas being focusing on pictures and maps, it must be said that the written portions of information do contain some incorrect word usage and several grammatical errors. Outside of those couple of minute issues, this atlas is a wonderfully informational text that seeks to make sense of a very complicated era.

ASSESSMENT

Rating (1 to 5)

4 stars

Suggested Audience

13 and up

Christian Impact

While not overly spiritual, the book does include brief inclusions of Bible stories where God instructed the Israelites to complete a specific mission. Usually, this helps to explain the reasoning behind the Israelites’ advances made during their seemingly random conquests. Vague mentions of pagan gods (such as Baal and Ashtoreth) are strewn throughout the text. One will not discover any mind-altering philosophies hidden within the words of this atlas, but it provides some wonderful insights into the complicated history of biblical times.

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