Alternative history of scripture and origins theorized in new book 'Why the Bible Began'

The preface to Jacob L. Wright’s new book presents his thesis that the Bible began as a trailblazing blueprint for a new form of political community beyond religious scripture. Ultimately, he attributes the creation of the Bible to a generation of anonymous, countercultural thinkers who pushed against the status quo.

Jacob Wright is a Professor of the Hebrew Bible at the Candler School of Theology, Emory University. In this interview, he joins “City Lights” host Lois Reitzes to discuss his book, “Why the Bible Began.” 

“Even though these were writers that we don’t know, and they worked anonymously, they really invented something new in the history of literature,” Wright says.