Bible Review

Bible Review was an English-language periodical published by the nonsectarian, nonprofit Biblical Archaeology Society (BAS). It was created to make academic research on the Bible accessible to readers outside specialist theological and academic circles. The magazine covered both the Old Testament, or Hebrew Bible, and the New Testament, presenting historical, literary, archaeological, and critical approaches in a comparatively accessible format. The publication formed part of BAS's wider publishing program, which also included Biblical Archaeology Review and Archaeology Odyssey. Whereas Biblical Archaeology Review concentrated primarily on the archaeology and historical setting of the biblical world, Bible Review focused more directly on the interpretation and study of biblical texts. Its editorial approach sought to translate scholarly debates into readable articles for an interested general audience while retaining attention to evidence, competing interpretations, and the historical development of the biblical traditions. Bible Review's subject matter included critical readings of biblical passages, historical reconstructions, questions of authorship and composition, the relationship between biblical texts and their ancient Near Eastern context, and discussions involving both Jewish and Christian scriptures. The magazine's broad scope allowed it to address subjects from the Hebrew Bible and early Judaism as well as the New Testament and the origins of Christianity. Its intended readership was not restricted to members of a particular denomination, and the publication was associated with BAS's stated nonsectarian educational orientation. The magazine was published from 1985 through 2005. In 2005, BAS discontinued Bible Review as a separate publication and merged its content and editorial role into Biblical Archaeology Review. This transition placed biblical scholarship more directly within BAS's flagship archaeology magazine rather than ending the availability of the earlier material altogether. BAS later made complete runs of Bible Review available through its digital BAS Library and All Access membership offerings, alongside the archive of Biblical Archaeology Review and Archaeology Odyssey. Bible Review is therefore best understood as a discontinued specialist magazine brand rather than as an independent publishing company. Its historical significance lies in its role as a bridge between academic biblical studies and non-specialist readers, and in its contribution to BAS's broader effort to popularize evidence-based study of the Bible and the ancient Mediterranean and Near Eastern worlds.

Bible Review was established in 1985 by the Biblical Archaeology Society as a companion publication to Biblical Archaeology Review. BAS had launched Biblical Archaeology Review in 1975 to connect archaeological research on the biblical lands with a broad readership. Bible Review extended that publishing mission into the study of biblical texts themselves, offering general readers accessible accounts of historical, literary, and critical scholarship concerning both the Old Testament and the New Testament. The magazine's editorial identity was shaped by BAS's nonsectarian and educational orientation. Rather than presenting the Bible solely through devotional or confessional interpretation, Bible Review addressed questions commonly investigated in academic biblical studies: how texts were composed and transmitted, how they relate to the societies in which they emerged, how historical events may illuminate their contents, and how scholars assess competing readings. Its articles were intended to remain readable for non-specialists while introducing readers to the methods and debates of professional scholarship. Bible Review operated within a broader BAS publishing portfolio. Biblical Archaeology Review emphasized archaeology and the material cultures of the ancient Near East and eastern Mediterranean, while Bible Review concentrated on textual and interpretive issues. BAS also published Archaeology Odyssey from 1997 to 2005, a magazine focused on classical archaeology. Together, these publications gave BAS a platform spanning archaeological discovery, biblical history, and the interpretation of ancient texts. After two decades of separate publication, Bible Review was merged into Biblical Archaeology Review in 2005. The merger ended Bible Review as an independent magazine title but integrated its subject matter into BAS's principal periodical. The change also reflected the close relationship between archaeology, ancient history, and biblical studies in BAS's overall editorial program. The magazine's earlier issues remained part of BAS's archival holdings, and complete runs were subsequently made available to members through the BAS Library and All Access digital services. Bible Review's publishing history is closely connected with Hershel Shanks, who led BAS's magazine program for many years, and with the organization's later publishing administration under Susan Laden. Although the title is no longer published independently, its archive continues to represent a period in which academic approaches to biblical texts were being deliberately presented to a wide public audience. The brand's lasting role was as an accessible, historically oriented forum for biblical scholarship rather than as a denominational publication or a general news magazine.

• 2017

  Hershel Shanks retires from editorial leadership

  [1]Biblical Archaeology Reviewen.wikipedia.org

  Hershel Shanks retires at the end of 2017 after leading BAS's principal magazine editorial operation for decades.

• 2005

  Bible Review is merged into Biblical Archaeology Review

  [1]Biblical Archaeology Reviewen.wikipedia.org

  BAS ends Bible Review as a separate publication and incorporates its biblical-studies coverage into Biblical Archaeology Review.

• 1997

  Archaeology Odyssey joins the BAS magazine portfolio

  [1]Biblical Archaeology Reviewen.wikipedia.org

  BAS launches Archaeology Odyssey, creating an additional sister publication alongside Bible Review and Biblical Archaeology Review.

• 1985

  Bible Review launches

  [1]Biblical Archaeology Reviewen.wikipedia.org

  The Biblical Archaeology Society begins publishing Bible Review as a companion magazine focused on accessible academic study of the Old and New Testaments.

A nonsectarian, reader-friendly biblical studies magazine translating academic historical and critical scholarship for an educated general audience.

• Magazine · 1985

  Bible Review

  The core Bible Review product was a scholarly popularization magazine covering the Old Testament, New Testament, biblical history, textual interpretation, literary criticism, and related ancient Near Eastern and Mediterranean contexts. It was designed for informed general readers rather than exclusively for academic specialists, presenting research and disagreements in a relatively accessible editorial format. The title was published by the Biblical Archaeology Society from 1985 until 2005, when it was merged into Biblical Archaeology Review.

• Digital archive

  Bible Review digital archive

  After the print title was discontinued, complete runs of Bible Review became available through the Biblical Archaeology Society's BAS Library and All Access membership services. The archive preserves the magazine's articles and issues as part of BAS's broader collection of biblical archaeology and ancient-history publications.

• 2005

  Merge Bible Review into Biblical Archaeology ReviewStrategy

  Background

  Bible Review and Biblical Archaeology Review addressed closely related aspects of biblical history, archaeology, and scholarship within the same nonprofit publishing organization.

  Action taken

  The Biblical Archaeology Society discontinued Bible Review as a standalone title and incorporated its coverage into Biblical Archaeology Review.

  Aftermath

  Bible Review ceased independent publication, while its back issues remained accessible through the Biblical Archaeology Society's archival and membership platforms.

  Source

1. 1Biblical Archaeology Reviewen.wikipedia.org
2. 2Bible Reviewbib-arch.org