**Newly Released**
Many people believe that religion began when God revealed himself to human beings at the time of their creation several thousand years ago. However, we now know that in fact the earth is 4.5 billion years old. With this knowledge in mind, how did religion begin and develop? In particular, how did Judaism and Christianity begin and evolve? This book explores the answers to these questions, particularly syncretism of religion, i.e. the merging and blending of religious ideas. Topics include paleolithic and neolithic religion, influences of Mesopotamia, Egypt and Persia on Judeo-Christian beliefs, “mystery religions”, human sacrifice in Canaan, the axial age, and the origins of Yahweh.
Most Christians who revere the Bible have little knowledge about where it came from and how it developed. This book provides the history of the Bible in a succinct and easily understandable style. It is an outstanding summary of the work of modern Biblical scholars and is designed not only for individuals who desire to grow, but also for group studies, such as for educational classes in more open-minded and progressive churches.
This book is the first in a series of books advocating an integrated world view, i.e. a worldview in which knowledge from all disciplines are integrated in order to give a comprehensive and complete view of the way things are.
DR. CRAIG R. VANDER MAAS is a clinical psychologist and neuropsychologist who lives in Grand Rapids, Michigan. He also is an adjunct professor for Western Michigan University and Monmouth University. He has a doctorate degree in clinical psychology and master’s degrees in counseling psychology, clinical psychology, and clinical psychopharmacology.