Freed (emeritus religion, Gettysburg College) and Roberts (social services technology, U. of Akron-Wayne College) examine key stories from the Old and New Testaments from a scholar's viewpoint, comparing simple answers and explanations to more complex and insightful understanding. They begin with an overview of the academic study of the Bible, and conclude by exploring Biblical values regarding such matters as family life, homosexuality, life and death, and poverty. The middle sections look at such stories as creation and the Garden of Eden, patriarchal narratives, gods mentioned in the Old Testament, Paul and his thought, the stories of Jesus' birth, and the resurrected Jesus. There is no index or bibliography. Distributed in North America by The David Brown Book Co. Annotation ©2009 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)