The Carta Jerusalem Atlas

May 29, 2014May 30, 2014 / jimmyreagan / 1 Comment

What is the most important city in Bible history, or for that matter, all of human history? Jerusalem. You might say it is God’s own city. In every Bible student’s library there should be at least one volume that explains the city in terms of Biblical history, significant events, and geography. I suggest this volume by Dan Bahat and published by Carta as your first choice.

The author’s life has been dedicated to the history of Jerusalem and it shows on every page. In a responsible way, he has sifted all the reams of archaeological data and recreated a fine history. Though the author is Jewish, I feel he is fair to Christians in telling the story. I might squabble over a detail here and there, but overall it is the most thorough available.

He begins by sharing the topography of Jerusalem as it surely played a factor in many events. Then he reviews basic archaeological elements before launching into its historical beginning, at least in terms of importance, with the Time of David, or the First Temple Period.

He deftly takes time with especially important features like the city’s water supply. You would be surprised how prominently that fits into several Bible events. The discussion of Jerusalem in the times of Christ are particularly helpful.

In what I consider a bonus to the Bible study help, Jerusalem’s history on down to the present times is given. If you have a desire to know the events of the 1900s, which includes the history of the modern state of Israel, you will have all you need here.

The graphics are well done in the manner we expect from Carta. The overlapping over the map of the current city makes this an exceptional resource if you are planning a serious trip there. A fine map for a modern pilgrim as well as a good index concludes the volume. This book is a great resource!

I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

Find this volume and many other fine Bible study helps here.

Related Post:
Bible Atlas–Finding The Right One

The Best Bible Atlas of All–The Carta Bible Atlas

April 12, 2014 / jimmyreagan / 9 Comments

If you could only own one Bible Atlas, what would be your choice? The Carta Bible Atlas, 5th Edition, by Carta would be my recommendation for pastors like me and serious Bible students. I make that recommendation as a Bible Atlas nut who owns almost every one out there. It has one claim to fame that allows it to outpace the pack–It has the most maps for specific Bible events. They are unrivaled for accuracy.

Carta maps are the preeminent ones out there today. They publish larger atlases for scholars like The Sacred Bridge as well as more popular ones for general audiences. This one, now updated, however, has been the standard for years. Originally called The MacMillian Bible Atlas and a pastor’s favorite since the 1960s, five updates have only made it better. I have used an older edition for years, but I love the maps that have since been added with all my old favorites still there too. I guess my son will get my older edition so he will have a great start on a Bible atlas

The additions supplement world history among the Bible maps. They put Bible history in the larger context. The world around God’s people is important to the narrative and are part of the story in many cases. The maps are better for the Old Testament than the New, but the New Testament section is improved from previous editions.

The maps are not as vivid or colorful as those in some other atlases. There are occasions where a conclusion on Bible history or chronology is more liberal than I could accept. Still, even with those caveats, this volume is the best. Read your biblical passage and turn to the appropriate Bible map in this volume and you will see for yourself. Better still, what you are given is not beyond what would be benefical to a pastor or teacher unlike the larger volumes designed for scholars.

There are extra features like a list on all the archaeological sites in Bible lands in an appendix as well as great indexes of persons and places for cross study. You might want two or three other Bible Atlases, for great color graphics and pictures, but this is the one you must have for rich Bible study.

This volume is available at most online book retailers. Check out the Carta website to see all the fine products they put out.

Check out my article on Bible Atlases in general here.

Rose Then and Now Bible Map Atlas–A Review

March 24, 2014March 23, 2014 / jimmyreagan / 1 Comment

Would you like a fine Bible Atlas written by someone who has been immersed in the lands of the Bible? Then the Rose Then and Now Bible Atlas is a great option for you. Substantial at 272 pages, yet accessible even for newer Bible students, we have a real asset here.

Perhaps you saw the earlier Rose Then and Now Bible Maps. I always felt it was more of a Sunday School item than one for the serious Bible student, though the modern overlays are a brilliant idea. Frankly, there were just too few of them and I would have preferred a different scale at times. There are about the same number of overlays, but we have a fine atlas too. Really, the overlays are just a nice addition to the atlas itself.

What we have now is Rose Publishing joining the big boys in the atlas world. What is unique to this volume among the atlases out there is the historical detail given. Paul Wright does a great job of relating the biblical narrative as he progresses incorporating well the geographic details. The history begins with the Patriarchs. There is no mention of Adam or Genesis 1-11, pro or con. My guess is that there is little real geographic knowledge of those times.

Still, Scripture pervades the volume. In the chapter on Jesus, He is described as God in human form. The entire atlas takes a historical approach. There are no sections on parts of the Bible like, say, the Minor Prophets. Their time period is covered in the historical flow, just not the books themselves. Most atlases take the other approach, but I am glad to have one from this distinct vantage point.

The maps themselves are from Carta, which is the gold standard of Bible maps. The pictures are satisfactory and the maps plentiful enough to go along with a rich text. Most people just try to get one quality Bible Atlas. This volume is a contender for the Bible Student.

Holman Bible Atlas

February 22, 2014February 22, 2014 / jimmyreagan / 1 Comment

Are you looking for a genuinely helpful Bible Atlas? Be sure to consider the Holman Bible Atlas byThomas Brisco and published by B & H Publishing as part of its Holman Reference titles. It has many strengths to make it one of the top two or three options out there. Its professed audience is “for the interested lay person and beginning level student of the Bible in colleges and seminaries.” It has succeeded for that audience as well as for we pastors.

Its maps are prolific, visually appealing, and timely. You truly get maps where you most need them. 132 maps cover the Biblical text well and places and events are well labelled too. Variety shows up as a few have a 3D view as well. You might find a detail or two to squabble over (like omitting Perea’s important presence in Christ’s ministry), but overall you will find accuracy in this volume. In the primary characteristic of an atlas, this volume gets an “A”.

The pictures materially add value to the text. The author’s experience in archaeology shows in his often showing us ruins of famous sites. I particularly enjoyed those. Charts that really summarize and teach are used to good effect too.

One of the best features of this atlas is the text explaining the geography and how it impacted the Bible story discussed. For example, in the section on the time of David there is a fascinating description of Jerusalem, how it grew, and how its topography affected how it grew. Mr. Brisco, and the many others who contributed, show considerable learning and put it to good use. It actually makes for good reading.

There is little to criticize here. You can question the chronology here or there, or wonder why if there is such a dandy map for the Eighth Century Prophets, why aren’t there other maps for the other prophets. Or you might wonder why there are no page numbers. Since the atlas is in chronological order, however, the loss is not great for Bible students.

This is a top-flight Bible Atlas. The most recent printing has a much improved cover too. You will not regret adding this volume to your study library.

For a review of other Bible Atlases read here.

Bible Atlas–Finding The Right One

January 15, 2012August 17, 2017 / jimmyreagan / 18 Comments

I love Bible maps. It goes all the way back to the maps in the back of the Bible I received when I got saved all those years ago. No one would need as many as I have, unless , of course, you have a weakness for them as I do. Every Bible student should have one good one, and Sunday School teachers and pastors would do well to have two or three.

What is the value in Bible atlases, you ask? The terrain of Bible lands is unusual to what is around us. You might have to go all the way across the United States to simulate the change experienced in 20 miles there. Plus you don’t know the towns there so if a Bible character took a journey from Jerusalem to Bethlehem it would be only 8 miles (like the Wise Men leaving Herod to see Jesus) while Nazareth to Bethlehem would be 80 or so miles depending the route taken (like Mary and Joseph traveled). Some routes were arduous journeys because of terrain while others would be easy walking. To go from farmland to desert, or from cool weather to hot, could in may places be done in a day on foot. A quick glance at a Bible Atlas might be the very thing that put the Bible story you read in the proper perspective.

A good Bible Atlas will have quality pictures of various Bible places (a picture is definitely worth a thousand words in that case), topographical information, plenty of maps as there are so many stories in the Bible, and good graphics. My eye for graphics might be different than yours, so previewing the maps before you purchase is a good idea. Christian Bookstores usually have only a couple choices so going to Christianbook.com and searching the Bible atlases and viewing the excerpts available would be helpful. You will want to make sure that they follow conservative scholarship in the map information provided. Comparing a few atlases will reveal that some Bible sites are less certain than others and you might have to read the evidence and make your own judgment.

MAIN CONTENDERS

The best Bible atlas for the pastor would be what is now called The Carta Bible Atlas, which for years was called The MacMillan Bible Atlas. I had the older edition for years, but the newer one contains some new helpful maps and I am glad to get it too. This atlas is far superior in the OT than the NT, but even the NT maps are helpful. It is written by Aharoni and Avi-Yonah, Jewish scholars who lived in the Bible lands. I doubt they were believers, but the OT was the heritage of their people and they put together the best. The graphics are not spectacular, but the number of maps for even lesser-known events make them always my first choice. (Link below for review).

Since I first released this article, Emanuel Hausman of Carta wrote me (comments below) and said, “Please note that the 5th revised and expanded edition of The Carta Bible Atlas (2011; OT – Anson F. Rainey & NT – R. Steven Notley, a devout Christian). Incidentally Notley’s Chapters, Historical Geography of the Gospels &The Early Days of the Church in The Sacred Bridge have been rated “superb”. Also the 1st edition of Rasmussen’s NIV Atlas of The Bible, A Gold Medal Title, was created by Carta as was the earlier edition of the Standard Bible Atlas.” I appreciate his helpful information.

I should also tell you about the most detailed atlas I have–The Sacred Bridge by Rainey and Notley. I’ll admit it’s a luxury, but it is the ultimate one available. The maps are small, but the text is detailed to almost every Bible event imaginable. It can be liberal in places, but if you want to find the archaeological site to match the Bible site in modern Israel, it is indispensable. Its comprehensiveness is unparalleled. It may be aimed more at scholars than pastors. There is a second edition out now that I have not seen. Just recently the publishers have offered In The Steps of The Master to offer that material to a wider audience.

Carta’s New Century Handbook and Atlas of the Bible, published by Carta, is a less techical The Sacred Bridge and is outstanding. Pastors will love it too.

Another great volume is the Zondervan Atlas of the Bible that was released as a new, improved edition in 2009. Formally, it was called the Zondervan NIV Atlas of the Bible. It is gorgeous and exceptional and I was glad to get it as a Christmas gift. For an economical, solid help it may well be one of the very best. There is a newly-released Zondervan’s Essential Atlas of the Bible that is a condensing of the larger work that I do not own, nor need since I have the fuller volume.

I was glad to secure The Crossway ESV Bible Atlas by John Currid and published in 2010. This volume has many detailed, accurate maps and a great deal of texts and charts. It has the added bonus of being one of the most conservative in its conclusions and I believe I agree more with its choices for uncertain Bible sites than any other. This is a heavy hitter that appears to be vying to be pastors number one choice.

You will like the vastly improved New Moody Atlas of the Bible by Barry Beitzel. It is so improved that I consider it a new volume unrelated to previous editions. Solid across the board, its greatest feature is the geographic section and the outstanding maps given there.

Another contender is the Holman Bible Atlas (Link below). It is one of the top atlases for Bible students as well. Its maps are excellent and the text is engaging and the pictures of Bible sites as helpful as the maps. It has been a very popular atlas.

I also recently reviewed the Rose Here and Now Bible Map Atlas (Link below). Rose Publishing has joined the big boys in the Bible Atlas world now. With its Carta maps and biographical approach, Bible students will find this a winner.

The most recent major Bible atlas is The Discovery House Atlas by John Beck. Its author has spent an incredible amount of time in the Holy Land and it shows.

OTHER ATLASES

I have enjoyed Biblica: The Bible Atlas. The maps are fine, but the key feature of this volume is the art work from all through the centuries. Weighing 10 lbs., this volume reminds one of Spurgeon describing a volume as big enough to be the author’s gravestone!

Two good inexpensive choices are Bible Atlas & Companion by Barrett, Hudson, and Bolen and Holman Quick Source Bible Atlas With Charts and Biblical Reconstructions. The maps and graphics are really good in both. The former has really nice pictures as Todd Bolen is a well-known photographer. It covers many Bible events with excellent information and graphics. The latter has the added benefit of the first half of the book being on the unique geography of Israel. The maps are as good as some more expensive volumes. I highly recommend these two for pastors, Sunday school teachers, or any serious Bible student.

You can also supplement your collection with older used volumes that are nicer than you might imagine. I have The Readers Digest Atlas of the Bible (maps good, text worthless), Atlas of the Bible by John Rogerson (average), “The Standard Bible Atlas” (a small student atlas using the Hammond maps that were the standard for many years), and The Moody Guide To Bible Lands by Tim Downey (old edition–there is a much improved edition just released and discussed below). I also have The New Illustrated Bible Atlas by Joseph Rhymer (decent), The Illustrated Atlas of the Bible Lands published by Warwick Press (below average), An Atlas of the Life of Christ by John Stirling (old, small, and very accurate), and New Bible Atlas by Wiseman, Bimson, et al (helpful). The older Atlas of The Biblical World by Baly and Tushingham (Graphics and pictures poor, information good) is worth having as is Bible Mapbook by Simon Jenkins (very good). A newer choice is The Kregel Bible Atlas by Tim Dowley (Concise, but good). Some of these can be found on used book sites for as little as $1. The last volume sells new for $15, but the others are out of print and I wouldn’t pay over $5 for any of them.

A huge volume that could well supplement any collection is The Harper Collins Atlas of the Bible (one edition was called the Time Atlas of the Bible). It has cool maps that are sometimes reoriented with, for example, west at the top! If you are geographically challenged, this may be too much. I love some of their maps of Bible battles (hills with trees showing). Another is the Collegeville Atlas of the Bible. The graphics are really good as are the pictures, but the text lacks value.

The Deluxe Then And Now Bible Maps published by Rose is a great concept and especially helpful were you to be planning a trip to the Holy Land, but I wish several of the maps of Israel were on a smaller scale. As mentioned above, incorporating these maps into the Rose Then And Now Bible Maps Atlas was a great idea.

There are some specialty volumes out there like Battles Of The Bible: 1400 BC-AD 73 by Dougherty, Haskew, Jestice, and Rice. It is visually stunning and exciting to look at as battles played a big part of many Bible stories.

Here are a few more, but only if you are a map junkie like me. The Holy Land Satellite Atlas Volumes 1 and 2 published by Rohr Productions.” These volumes are unique and give information that you can’t get anywhere else. When I studied for my solo trip to Israel and Jordan I used these volumes to help me transpose Bible Atlas information on modern road atlases. The pictures are extraordinary and include sites the other atlases never show, at least in up-to-date fashion because many of them are deep in the West Bank. I should mention, too, the Student Map Manual: Historical Geography of the Bible Lands.

You will enjoy the Aerial Atlas of the Holy Land by John Bowker. It is in no way exhaustive, nor would I choose what he did to highlight in the same number of pages, but it is great for what it chooses to cover. I really enjoy its pictures and the maps are sufficient. It is a fun addition to the atlas section of your library.

Carta has been publishing several specialty atlases well worth checking out. Check out some reviews I’ve done of these volumes here, here, and here.

In addition, Carta has maps you use could profitably use while touring in Israel. Check out the Jerusalem Biblical Archaeology map. Now they have an excellent Israel Biblical Archaeology map as well.

Before I close I should mention that there are a few very nice volumes that I do not yet have. Since I am a little compulsive/obsessive in this area, I’ll try to get them at some point. I have not yet seen the Tubingen Bible Atlas. It is a bilingual work that I have heard good things about. I would love to secure a few more specialty atlases on Bible history as well as some on the city of Jerusalem. I will update this post with each new acquisition.

I’m likely one of the few people who thinks that an hour of bible atlas viewing is an hour well spent. Still, we can all profit from a Bible atlas in our Bible studies.

Last updated on 8/17/2017

Other Atlas Reviews:

Holman Bible Atlas

Rose Then-And-Now Bible Maps Atlas

Carta Bible Atlas

Carta’s New Century Handbook and Atlas

Discovery House Bible Atlas

Related:
Bible Commentaries–Newer exegetical series
Commentary Sets–older, or devotional sets