Testament: The Bible and History

by John Romer, Martin Bristow (Designer)

Describes the making of the Bible, the creation of both the Old and New Testaments and charts the Book's survival through the centuries of its life. This work tells the story of the Bible's journey from the most ancient East to the heart of the modern West.

Genres: History, Religion, Nonfiction, Christianity, Reference, Ancient, Theology

367 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1988

About the author

John Louis Romer attended Ottershaw School, the Wimbledon School of Art (1958-1963), and the Royal College of Art (A.R.C.A., 1966) in London. Following this, he traveled and studied in the Near East and married his wife Yvonne Elizabeth de Coetlogan Aylwin (Beth), an artist and writer. After a brief stint teaching the history of art and architecture at art colleges in England and Wales (1968-1972), he worked as an epigraphic artist with the British Institute in Iran at Persepolis and Pasargadae in 1972. He worked as an artist in epigraphic studies — with the German Archaeological Institute in Cairo, 1972-1973, and with the Oriental Institute Epigraphic Survey, 1973-1977 — in the temples and tombs of Thebes. In 1977-1979, he became the Field Director of The Brooklyn Museum’s Theban Expedition, originating and organizing an excavation of the tomb of Ramesses XI in the Valley of the Kings. In 1992, at the request of the Egyptian Organization of Antiquities, he convened a multinational committee to advise and recommend projects and procedures for the conservation of the Valley of the Kings. He is a member of the International Association of Egyptologists and the Egypt Exploration Society. He has been the President of the Theban Foundation since 1979. He has written several acclaimed books and produced some excellent documentaries. His primary interests are in the preservation of antiquities, and in making the past meaningful to present-day people. When he is not busy writing books, making documentaries, or pushing for conservation in the Valley of the Kings, he and his wife live in Aiola, Tuscany, Italy.

Reviews

[Lukerik · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can be a bit snobby about tie-in books, but the documentary series is so good – it wouldn’t be a stretch to say it’s the best I’ve seen – that I thought I’d give this a go. So glad I did. If you’ve seen the series (it’s knocking about on You Tube if you’re interested) you’ll know that a lot of it’s success is down to Romer’s whole manner, and his voice really comes through in the book – which it failed much to do in his earlier book Valley of the Kings. The book and series complement each other very well. The book, of course, has much more detail, but in the series you can see exactly what he’s talking about. That said, the book is very well illustrated, with seven colour plate sections and many many line illustrations. I see from another review on this site that not all editions reprint the illustrations. The first editions have them (both hardback and paperback) as do their 1989 reprints.

The sheer weight of Romer’s knowledge of this subject impressed me, I liked his attitude, and he really is a poet. Here he is answering people who want to date Abraham exactly:

“And if you try to pin these Patriarchs down more precisely in time the whole family will pack their tents and set off along the old trade routes, over horizons that stretch back thousands upon thousands of years.”

I love that equation of time and space. There’s an artistry to the book. Look for dates in the opening chapters and you’ll find few, and those vague. He’s trying to imagine you into the mindset of the time when time was a continuum, not like today where we look at it like a progression.

He’s also very good on the Dead Sea Scrolls. I’ve not read them so can’t make my own judgement, but he argues a fringe theory which makes much more sense than the scholars’ current consensus.

[Erik Graff · Rating 3 out of 5]

While an easy, sometimes interesting, read, this edition of Romer's chatty history of the bible is marred in several respects. First, the 'plates' referred to in the text don't exist. Second, very few factual claims are referenced. Third, the editors allowed inconsistant references to the final book of the bible, sometimes entitling it, correctly, as 'Revelation', sometimes incorrectly as 'Revelations'.

Still, the author, an Egyptologist, clearly enjoys his subject and this warmth does come through occasionally. As an introduction, and with a complete edition including the plates, this book would serve.

[Mark · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Testament: The Bible and History" was a pretty good read. John Romer is always an interesting writer, and he was in good form here. I would have preferred to go a bit more in-depth in a number of areas... so in that sense, the book wasn't long enough.



"Testament" is the history of the composition and transmission of the Bible (did you know that a one-volume Bible is called a "pandect"?) and its effects on Western society and culture up through the beginning of the modern era. Along the way, you encounter many interesting people; two of the ones that stood out for me were Jerome (translator of the "Vulgate" Latin bible used by the Roman Catholic Church) and Martin Luther.



It's a great overview and very smooth reading, and will doubtless provide a springboard into many areas of further research; the main problem is that many of those further areas won't have John Romer along as a guide. So... again, I wish it were longer. Well worth reading.

[Tim Chamberlain · Rating 5 out of 5]

John Romer is a scholar with a beautifully engaging writing style, and here he brings both faith and history to life in a deft and sensitive manner. He is one of the main reasons I've chosen to work in the world I do! He is an inspiration, and this is a marvellously reflective and thought provoking book. Any reader interested in both archaeology and faith will find much insight and much of interest in this book.

Testament accompanies a wonderful TV documentary series of the same name which was broadcast in the early 1990s.

UPDATE: Since I wrote the above review I've written more at length on this book and the TV series here on my blog.

[Darrell Gerber · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is an interesting read about how the Bible was made, how it was influenced by history and people, and how it influenced history and people.

On the downside, the book is written in a chronological structure but the author jumps around within the bounds of an era or theme without telling you where he is on the timeline. He also drops a lot of names without context. Could use footnotes to help with both of these problems.

[Melissa · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book, written by an arechologist, describes how the Bible was made and survived throughout the ages. It follows both Judaism and Christianinty.

[Mark Evans · Rating 4 out of 5]

Romer explains how modern monotheism evolved from a multi-theistic society.

[Andrew · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great look at how the modern Bible came to be. Why are some books in and other out. Really interesting for anyone who finds early church history of interest.

[Vince · Rating 5 out of 5]

Call me an outside observer of religion. I’m curious how Judaism and Christianity emerged from diverse social origins, how they solidified from competing threads of thought and action, and what they’ve left for the more modern world to ponder. Which parts are historic? Which parts are myths, even from much earlier? John Romer is an incisive interpreter of it, neither an apologist nor one who dismisses things that are hard to fathom. This book has the tone of his four BBC TV episodes, Ancient Lives, in which he traces personal histories of ancient Egyptians, big and small as one can state it. He’s a gentle, engaging guide you’d follow far and long.

[Roy E E. · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book gives a new light on the Old Testament. In reading the Old Testament, I got the impression that it was a combination of mythology merged with history. John Romer's book tends to confirm that. The author combines Old Testament history with archeology and old world beliefs to show how they are all intertwined. Judaism didn't just spring up out of the blue. It evolved from earlier religions to deal with global tensions that were emerging in its time.

[John Albers · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a companion piece to a series that John Romer did for PBS several years ago. In the book and the television series Romer relates how the Bible influenced and effected religion, political and social lifestyles from its creation to the modern period. Romer is an entertaining author, he explains events and developments well and it's not a difficult read.

[Nigel Code · Rating 5 out of 5]

I will start off by saying that this is not an easy read, it can be hard work at times, but very much worth the effort. I am not a religious person, but the Bible is a tremendous historical document, and Romer has made a superb job of revealing the history that it contains. It is about 30 years since I read Testament, and it still has a treasured place on my bookshelves.

[KS Hernandez · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is like a text book that you want to read. It's huge and complicated but so interesting and kept me engaged from the beginning. As a student of the bible as well it was captivating to watch, from an archeological point of view, the bible stories unfold.

[Michael Moats · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellant book. Well written and researched. Without delving into veracity but deeply exploring the historic accuracy of the bible the author brings it to life.

[Sue · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good readable historical narrative.