Dead Sea Scrolls
Southwestern Journal of Theology
Volume 53, No. 1 – Fall 2010
Managing Editor: Malcolm B. Yarnell III
rev. ed. By Carl G. Rasmussen. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2010. 304 pages. Hardcover, $39.99.
This excellent atlas is a revision of the 1988 book with a slightly different title: The NIV Atlas of the Bible. The revised edition still uses the New International Version of the Bible for its Scripture text, but “NIV” is no longer in the title.
Rasmussen, who authored both the original edition and this revision, is professor emeritus of Old Testament at Bethel University in St. Paul, Minnesota. He is also adjunct professor at the Jerusalem University College in Jerusalem. Having led numerous study groups in the Holy Land, Rasmussen is well familiar with the subject matter of this atlas.
Virtually all of the maps have the same titles and subject matter as the 1988 version, but the maps in the revised edition are far superior. The topography in the new maps is much more defined, and the maps in the old edition almost look cartoonish in comparison. This does not mean that the maps in the old edition were bad—they were made by the respected Carta cartographers—but the new threedimensional maps by International Mapping, using information from Digital Elevation Modeling, are exceptional (e.g., 36, 38, 51, 69). They have an eye-popping appeal, especially the ones that are rotated for an angular view rather than the typical view of looking directly down at the map (22, 38, 43). The map color scheme is an excellent choice for highlighting elevations and other topographical features (11).
In addition to looking better and sharper, the maps also reflect up-to-date archaeological information, which has certainly changed in the last 22 years. For instance, there is much change in the proposed ancient international, interregional, and local trade routes (32, 34). Historical dating is also occasionally revised, and Rasmussen uses the dating system from the Encyclopedia of Archaeological Excavations in the Holy Land (13).
The excellent maps are the primary strength of this atlas, but there are other positive features as well. First, the 100+ pictures throughout the atlas are also much improved over the pictures in the first edition. They incorporate some recent important finds, such as the original Pool of Siloam (249) and Herod the Great’s tomb at the Herodium (204). Second, the glossary, indices of Scripture and persons, and the geographical dictionary and index are very helpful (265–303). Third, the foldout map of New Testament Jerusalem is a nice bonus.
Here are some ways to improve this atlas. First, provide alternative dating schemes, such as for the exodus, with evidence for each proposal. Rasmussen purposely avoids doing this, but it weakens the atlas (13). Second, add a map giving the various possibilities of the route of the exodus. Third, clearly identify the Eastern Gate on the map of New Testament Jerusalem. Fourth, update the last chapter on disciplines of historical geography, which have certainly improved in the last 22 years (254–62). Fifth, restore the six pages of endnotes from the first edition that were inexplicably dropped in this revised edition. Many of them were content endnotes. Sixth, darken the text. The text in the first edition is much easier to read.
Despite the suggestions for improvements listed above, this atlas is excellent. Its maps and pictures are its strong suit, and they make it well worth the purchase for university and seminary students, pastors, and any serious student of the Bible. After all, fine maps and pictures are what a person mainly needs and expects in an atlas.
