The Forgery of the Old Testament and Other Essays

Though McCabe books may not be completely accurate, he was well studied and read original biblical languages. The essays tend to cover just enough material, so they can easily be finished. But you can get a good idea from the first few pages already. I tend to be somewhere between Marcus Borg and McCabe in my own opinions, so it is good to read two sources. After reading these two, the truth of the Biblical times seems to be hidden for the most part. But you can read these yourself and then decide how literally the Bible should be read. Borg is pretty close to right, if you are a religious person. If you are an atheist, McCabe has lots to back your own arguments.The Forgery of the Old Testament and Other Essays (Freethought Library)The Myth of the Resurrection and Other Essays (The Freethought Library)

This material was controversial when originally published in 1926-1927. If you've read more recent biblical criticism, you will note a few points that have since been clarified by more recent works but, for the most part, McCabe's arguments are as current as ever. Since the book is fairly broad in scope, McCabe doesn't offer much justification for his assertions though he does offer some. But what makes "The Forgery of the Old Testament" unique and such a delight to read is McCabe's straightforward language and his witty attacks on the earlier biblical critics and the traditional religious community. He exposes their charitable justifications of the Old Testament "forgeries" as apologetic drivel.