Lawrence, Paul. The IVP Atlas of Bible History. Downers Grove, Ill.: InterVarsity Press, 2006. 187 pages, $45.00
The IVP Atlas of Bible History was the first “new” atlases to hit the market in 2006. I got a copy from IVP immediately and adopted it as a textbook for my Old and New Testament survey classes. I used the book for two years and carried it with me to Israel as a resource for leading student tours in 2007 and 2009. Of all of the atlases reviewed in this series, this is the one I have used the most and recommend to the laymen who want some basic maps and background material.
The atlas has an excellent layout and is well illustrated. Like most atlases, the IVP Atlas uses “paired pages” linking a map with text describing the content. The oversized format (11.9×9.2 inches) allows for larger maps and a variety of other content. Numerous photographs illustrate the content, and sidebars that focus on a more specialized sub-topic. The inside margin of the paired pages has a small box which collects all of the scripture references for the pages. The editors use a light blue background for some pages, which are more “geography” related (Geography of Canaan, Climate of Canaan, Agriculture of Canaan) or background essays (Language of the Bible, Rome).
One highlight of the IVP Atlas is the illustrations. For example, the artist’s reconstructions of the Tabernacle (p. 40-1), Solomon’s Temple (p. 74-5), Babylon (p. 108-9), and Herod’s Temple (p. 132-3) are well drawn and generally helpful. I would have liked to see these illustrations juxtaposed to photographs of the archaeology that inspired the art, but these pages will give the reader a mental image of these key locations.
Ultimately, an atlas is judged by its maps. There are about 90 maps in the book, although only a few are full page maps. As is typical in a narrow topic atlas, a generic map of Canaan is used and re-marked with different data. Frequently a smaller area is placed near a description of a story. For example, an excellent map of the Moabite Campaign appears on page 82 to illustrate 2 Kings 3. The largest map of Canaan (p.10-1) spans two pages and is almost too busy with data to be useful. Sites are identified as appearing in either the Old or the New Testament. Unfortunately, the interior margin mars the center of the map, the most interesting region (Jerusalem and environs)!
A bonus is sixteen pages of the Second Temple Period. This section intends to “bridge the gap” between the Old and New Testaments and does a fine job covering this broad period for laymen. There are a number of maps (Alexander’s Empire, the Maccabean revolt, Jews in Egypt). The pages on Herod’s building projects are particularly good. Along with the pages on Rome and the Fall of Jerusalem (p. 166-9), the IVP Atlas provides a Jewish history beyond the Bible.
The book includes a few page sets, which makes me feel odd for an atlas. For example, pages 14-5 are on Creation writing. The text contrasts the biblical narrative with Ancient Near Eastern mythology and considers briefly the age of the earth. Including this material makes the book useful for a Bible survey course, but is not exactly geographic material. There are sections of writing(pp, 68-69) and libraries in the ancient World (p. 70-1). While these are well written and fascinating, once again I wonder about their inclusion given other omissions. The essay “Amulets and Scrolls” (pp. 134-135) is really about the Dead Sea Scrolls.
Remarkably, the IVP Atlas is weakest in the New Testament. There are six page-sets for Jesus’ life, and except a small picture of the synagogue in Capernaum, there are no photographs of Galilee. There is only an artist’s reconstruction of Capernaum (p. 140-1), The first 12 chapters of Acts are covered in one page set and two small maps. Paul’s travel in Acts 13-28 is covered in five page sets, with the expected “missionary journey” maps. The city of Ephesus is an artist’s reconstruction with no actual photographs other than a first-century Artemis. The recipients of the letters of the New Testament are located on a map (p. 164-5) with fairly conservative traditional dates. (Galatians is the first Pauline letter, dated to A.D. 48-9). Two-page sets are dedicated to the seven churches of Revelation.
Overall, the IVP Atlas of Bible History is an excellent resource for pastors and laymen, although scholars might find the content less than adequate for their needs.
I have found this atlas to be extremely useful in a small group setting. The size and details of the maps and pictures make it easy for a round table setting. It has also been beneficial in working with my children and teaching them more about the Bible and the history of Israel.