John Barton Books

From a distinguished Oxford scholar and the author of A History of the Bible, an examination of how biblical translation works and why it matters. Throughout history, most Jewish and Christian believers have understood scripture not in the languages in which it was first written but rather in their own—in translation. In The Word, acclaimed Bible scholar John Barton explores how saints and scholars have negotiated the profound challenges of translating the Bible while remaining faithful to the original. In addition to considering questions of literal versus free translation, literary style, inclusive language, and more, Barton draws out scriptural translation’s role at critical junctures in religious history. Far from a mere academic exercise, biblical translation has shaped how we answer faith’s most enduring questions about the nature of God, the existence of the soul, and the possibility of salvation

Exploring the profound impact of a pivotal literary work, this scholarly examination delves into its historical significance and cultural influence. Authored by an Oxford scholar and Anglican priest, the book offers insights into the themes and narratives that have shaped society. It provides a comprehensive analysis of the text's evolution and its role in various historical contexts, making it an essential read for those interested in literature's power and legacy.

A new edition of a survey of biblical criticism in which the author clarifies the kinds of questions about the meaning of texts that led scholars to develop the now traditional 'historical-critical' approaches. Also covers the latest developments in biblical study, including deconstruction and postmodernism. First published in 1984.

This book explores the Bible's construction and interpretation from its origins to the present. John Barton examines the diverse narratives, laws, proverbs, prophecies, poems, and letters that make up the Bible, detailing their authorship, intended meanings, and interrelations. He sheds light on familiar passages, revealing the sources and traditions behind them, as well as the roles of scribes and editors in shaping the text. Barton unravels how certain texts were deemed holy and included in the canon, while others were excluded, illustrating that the Bible is not a static document but a product of a complex evolution. He traces its dissemination, translation, and interpretation within Judaism and Christianity, highlighting how meaning has been both derived from and imposed on the text. The book's originality lies in its examination of the divide between religion and scripture, showing how they do not always align. Barton discusses how influential thinkers from Augustine to Luther and Spinoza have grappled with this relationship. Ultimately, he argues that to view the Bible as 'authoritative' requires a departure from traditional beliefs held in the past.

The Bible: The Basics is an accessible and engaging introduction to the Bible as both a sacred text, central to the faith of millions, and a classic work of Western literature, containing a tapestry of genres, voices, perspectives and images. The second edition has been updated throughout and includes: maps and detailed suggestions for

This book provides a detailed exploration of the important elements of the theology underlying the book of Amos. It considers Amos as a figure representing social justice, surveys major developments in the critical assessment of the book and examines the history of the book's reception.

Low-carbon electricity systems require energy storage on all time scales to accommodate the variations in solar and wind power. The research described in this book builds on recent research into nickel-iron battery-electrolysers or “battolysers” as both short-term and long-term energy storage. For short-term cycling as a battery, the internal resistances and time constants have been measured, including the component values of resistors and capacitors in equivalent circuits. The dependence of these values on state-of-charge and temperature have also been measured. The results confirm that a nickel-iron cell can hold 25% more than its nominal charge. However, this increased capacity disappears at temperatures of 60°C and may be dissipated quickly by self-discharge. When operating as an electrolyser for long-term energy storage, the experiments have established the importance of a separation gap between each electrode and the membrane for gas evolution and established the optimum size of this gap as approximately 1.25 mm. The nickel-iron cell has acceptable performance as an electrolyser for Power-to-X energy conversion but its large internal resistance limits voltage efficiency to 75% at a 5 hour charge and discharge rate, with or without a bubble separation membrane.

Exploring the richness of Biblical narratives reveals their depth beyond childhood interpretations. These stories emerge from a sophisticated literary tradition, articulated in expressive Hebrew and interwoven with diverse writings. The book encourages readers to engage with the narratives using adult perspectives, uncovering often overlooked dimensions, wit, and humor. By doing so, it highlights the universal appeal and contemporary relevance of these tales, inviting a fresh appreciation for their complexity and significance.

John Barton used to live in the non-disabled world. Then he developed symptoms of an inherited condition that affected his mobility, closely followed by Parkinson's disease. John is an accredited psychotherapist and former journalist and in this book he explores the physical, political and psychological meanings of disability.