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The Bible in World History: How History and Scripture Intersect
What was happening outside Bible lands during the time of the patriarchs, Jewish kingdoms, the prophets, Jesus’ ministry, and the early church? Find out with The Bible in World History. This brand-new, fully illustrated reference breaks biblical and early church history into eight major time periods—from “Creation to the Tower of Babel” through “Anno Domini,” the years from Jesus’ birth to about AD 330—and shows what was happening in other parts of the world during those times. With references to Chinese, Indian, African, and Mayan cultures, among others, The Bible in World History will help you see how history and scripture intersect.
288 pages, Paperback
First published August 1, 2011
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199 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
January 30, 2018
Good for a beginner's overview. I had a few problems:
1. I made several edits to Leston's information on Ancient Greece, some of it was just flat out erroneous. So that doesn't give me much confidence in the rest of his information.
2. No bibliography. In his Acknowledgements he includes a list of 8 books that were "some of the seminal works that provided the understanding for this book". Not good enough for me.
3. Not only is there no bibliography but there are no footnotes and rarely is a source included in the text...unless it is biblical. Yes, much of this history is basic information but not the entire book!
Conclusion: good for a layman's introduction to contextualizing biblical events with world history; bad for historians or those who want to go deeper.
1. I made several edits to Leston's information on Ancient Greece, some of it was just flat out erroneous. So that doesn't give me much confidence in the rest of his information.
2. No bibliography. In his Acknowledgements he includes a list of 8 books that were "some of the seminal works that provided the understanding for this book". Not good enough for me.
3. Not only is there no bibliography but there are no footnotes and rarely is a source included in the text...unless it is biblical. Yes, much of this history is basic information but not the entire book!
Conclusion: good for a layman's introduction to contextualizing biblical events with world history; bad for historians or those who want to go deeper.
April 29, 2020
This is a fun, entertaining and interesting read. At 263 pages, full of knowledge and pictures, this book does leave some room for additional information to be desired. As a history buff, I really really get into this kind of stuff. At times however, I found myself disappointed that this book, especially in the later chapters, tends to go for surface-level explanation rather than in-depth discussion and exploration. On that front, this left me wanting more. But, I will say this book gripped me and had me to the very end. Even if you are not big into history, this book is very readable and enjoyable!
November 16, 2017
What I Liked
I enjoyed seeing the Bible in a more global context. The photographs and replicas of artwork within Leston's text are beautiful. I had seen many of them, but there were a few that caught my eye and surprised me.
What I Didn't Like
For a historian, Leston's text is very, very, very simple. It reminds me of my Bible textbook that I read for school when I was in elementary school. We are outlined very basics of Christianity, Leston frequently repeats in more simplified words Bible stories without adding global context, or he tries to dumb down world history without really adding much in-depth stories of interest. I wasn't as impressed or as captivated as I hoped I would be.
I enjoyed seeing the Bible in a more global context. The photographs and replicas of artwork within Leston's text are beautiful. I had seen many of them, but there were a few that caught my eye and surprised me.
What I Didn't Like
For a historian, Leston's text is very, very, very simple. It reminds me of my Bible textbook that I read for school when I was in elementary school. We are outlined very basics of Christianity, Leston frequently repeats in more simplified words Bible stories without adding global context, or he tries to dumb down world history without really adding much in-depth stories of interest. I wasn't as impressed or as captivated as I hoped I would be.
November 19, 2016
This is a book I've wanted to read for a while, since I was interesting in understanding the more global context of scriptural events. The book does a fine job of that, but it's clearly written by a pastor whose writing can get a little goofy at times for a world history book. That's not to say that I don't agree with him, but the book feels a bit overly basic for a Christian who's been studying the Bible and world history for a long time. I this this would be a great book for someone who hasn't been a Christian for a while, since there's a lot of good basic scriptural insight here and it certainly helps to make you thirst for more biblical understanding.
December 25, 2025
Zero scholarly work. No footnotes. Mentions a handful of books that informed his bare-bones history. Very, very simplified explanations of what was happening in the world at various times compared to what the Bible claims was happening as well. Disappointing.
January 6, 2020
Very little scholarly research.
April 3, 2024
Really enjoyed this book. A fairly easy to read history book that ties Biblical events into world history and how the 2 interact. Would recommend.
October 28, 2025
I’ve read this twice now. It’s a fantastic overview of the events of the world in context of scripture.
May 12, 2016
This review originally appeared on my blog: https://lightenough.wordpress.com/201...
The events of the Bible did not happen in a vacuum. I think one reason some people find the Bible hard to understand is that they have no clue about the other nations and people who intersect with the biblical story. It is all so foreign. Some of the countries or people groups ceased to exist long ago.
The author of this book brings the Bible to life by educating the reader about what was happening in the world as the biblical events unfolded. Special focus is given to nations that directly intersect with the biblical narrative (Assyria, Persia, Rome, etc) but other nations are included as well (China, India, South America, etc). The book goes in chronological order from the book of Genesis all the way to early church history after New Testament times.
I truly found this book a “page-turner” and read it quickly. It has a variety of photos, pictures, and maps that relate to the presented material. While it is educational and touches on facts that would more typically be included in academic works, it is most definitely written for the lay person. It assumes the reader lacks familiarity with certain things, yet it should also be helpful to the more informed. I found it a great review, learned some new tidbits, and appreciated the approach the author took in explaining things.
The author emphasizes that a sovereign God is moving all of history to His appointed end. Our lives are not lost in a meaningless cycle of historical repetition that is going nowhere. History is going somewhere, and we can trust that God is at work in this world.
Leston states that connecting “the events of world history with the events of the Bible gives us the clarity necessary to make sense of the world and world history.” Further he states: “I would suggest that only a Christian view of history truly addresses the issues that drive mankind, and thus only a Christian worldview can give us what we need to understand the world around us.”
I highly recommend this book. It should not only inform you and help the Bible make more sense – but give you HOPE.
The events of the Bible did not happen in a vacuum. I think one reason some people find the Bible hard to understand is that they have no clue about the other nations and people who intersect with the biblical story. It is all so foreign. Some of the countries or people groups ceased to exist long ago.
The author of this book brings the Bible to life by educating the reader about what was happening in the world as the biblical events unfolded. Special focus is given to nations that directly intersect with the biblical narrative (Assyria, Persia, Rome, etc) but other nations are included as well (China, India, South America, etc). The book goes in chronological order from the book of Genesis all the way to early church history after New Testament times.
I truly found this book a “page-turner” and read it quickly. It has a variety of photos, pictures, and maps that relate to the presented material. While it is educational and touches on facts that would more typically be included in academic works, it is most definitely written for the lay person. It assumes the reader lacks familiarity with certain things, yet it should also be helpful to the more informed. I found it a great review, learned some new tidbits, and appreciated the approach the author took in explaining things.
The author emphasizes that a sovereign God is moving all of history to His appointed end. Our lives are not lost in a meaningless cycle of historical repetition that is going nowhere. History is going somewhere, and we can trust that God is at work in this world.
Leston states that connecting “the events of world history with the events of the Bible gives us the clarity necessary to make sense of the world and world history.” Further he states: “I would suggest that only a Christian view of history truly addresses the issues that drive mankind, and thus only a Christian worldview can give us what we need to understand the world around us.”
I highly recommend this book. It should not only inform you and help the Bible make more sense – but give you HOPE.
September 26, 2012
The Bible in World History says on the front cover that it puts Scripture into a global context. It does just that in a most pleasant, friendly manner. History in school was such a heavy subject and I did poorly. I love that The Bible in World History isn’t intimidating at all.
Add to that the way Bible events are shown on a timeline with world events; many photos, illustrations and maps are included; conversational details about all abound; and both Bible AND history comes alive for me.
Dynamite comes in small packages and this is dynamite! I highly recommend this book for all with even a remote interest in the Bible and/or world history.
Add to that the way Bible events are shown on a timeline with world events; many photos, illustrations and maps are included; conversational details about all abound; and both Bible AND history comes alive for me.
Dynamite comes in small packages and this is dynamite! I highly recommend this book for all with even a remote interest in the Bible and/or world history.
May 5, 2012
The Bible in World History by Dr. Stephen Leston is an illustrated book about Bible events and the world surrounding them. The chief question asked in the introduction is: “Where is history headed?” The author has a biblical perspective and answers this question by using Revelation chapters 19 through 21, saying that, ultimately, history will lead us to “a new world where God will establish His kingdom among people.”
Read the full review here: http://www.christianbookpreviews.com/...
Read the full review here: http://www.christianbookpreviews.com/...
March 13, 2014
Overview of what is happening in the world during biblical history. Written by a christian, so thankfully it is written from a believers standpoint.
Reminds me a lot of my high school history book. Same pictures too.
Reminds me a lot of my high school history book. Same pictures too.
March 30, 2013
It Was OK would have liked it to be more in depth
January 29, 2013
Awesome book about the history of the world with scripture "into a global context." Nice to finally see a book that puts secular history and world history on the same time line.
May 9, 2020
I really learned so much from reading this book. It combined biblical history with secular history which is exactly what I wanted.
May 26, 2015
After a Bible study of Daniel, history became a little confusing, this books helps put world history together with Biblical history. I enjoyed the book and pictures very much.
August 19, 2015
This book was both very helpful and very resourceful. However, not for the hard of thinking.
April 14, 2017
Really enjoyable read. A great starting point to gain a historical reference for scripture, if you've ever been confused about how the Bible fits with history this book is an easy read with lots of visuals, timelines, and context. Gives the reader enough to make them desire to start studying for themselves, and clearly presents God's hand throughout history to bring about salvation.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews