This book is a comprehensive introduction to the Holy Scriptures of Christianity, intended for use by English-speaking readers. It is written in a style that is accessible to all levels of readership, from the uninitiated to the more advanced student of the Bible. It covers the major themes and topics of the Bible, including its teachings and doctrines, its historical and cultural context, and its impact on Western civilization. This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work is in the "public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.