The Secular Bible: Why Nonbelievers Must Take Religion Seriously Book

Professor Berlinerblau argues that secularists, agnostics, and atheists need to study the origins of scripture in ways similar to those used by (at least some) religious scholars who are believers. He does this chiefly though a look at origins of the Hebrew Bible/Old Testament. He warns all not to oversimplify interpretation and reading of scripture. He is reading as a secularist but one aware of the ways religious interpreters of scripture explain (interpret) scripture and then suggests ways reading the Quran might similar readings by secularists. The work is short but subtle.

He does a fine job of explaining how Talmud emerged, especially during the early centuries of the Christian era and he simultaneously explains who Christians developed their own interpretations of the Old Testament as they formed their own canons.