A COLLECTION of talks at Chester Cathedral form part of a new book.
The Bible talks, many of which were originally delivered in the Cathedral, has been published this week by the University of Chester Press.
Biblical Voices and Echoes: The People and the Books is by William Horbury, a Professor Emeritus from the University of Cambridge and a Visiting Professor at the University of Chester. A Church of England priest, he lives in Chester, and assists in the Chester parish of St John the Baptist.
The book, an illustrated paperback, forms a lively exploration of Biblical voices and their echoes throughout history and in the present. Rooted in the public sphere, it arises from speaking engagements and features five talks given in Chester Cathedral. The front cover shows the Quire lectern at the Cathedral.
"They’ve usually taken place in the Cloister Room, a wonderful mediaeval setting which is also ideal for meeting an audience.”
The book ranges from ancient Israel and the early church, through mediaeval and early modern approaches to the Bible, to the modern period and bird’s-eye views from ancient to contemporary times. Highlighting themes appreciated by hearers, it provides insights gleaned from a huge range of material, including literature and art.
An overall theme is the interaction between the Biblical books and the life of the Jewish people and the Christian church.
Topics include the Bible and liturgy and sacrament, the work of the translators of King James’s Bible, Christian interest in Hebrew and Jewish tradition and Holy Land archaeology as illustrated by the long series of discoveries concerning the uprising of Bar Kokhba.
Imaginative literature is examined alongside the Bible. The Biblical thread evokes a story of individuals and communities seeking to understand their worlds.
Copies of Biblical Voices and Echoes (paperback, with colour plates) can be purchased for £16.99 directly from the publisher using its online ordering system and through booksellers and distributors. To order a copy visit here.
For more information on all University of Chester Press books, please visit: www.chester.ac.uk/university-press
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