Book recommendation to study Bible from historical perspective?

Can anyone recommend a book that will help me to study the Bible from a historical perspective, rather than a religious perspective? What I want is something that explains how the Bible came to be what it is to day, including various translations, role of chuch politics. Also, I want to better understand what the various stories meant in the context of the time period in which they were written.

Book recommendation to study Bible from historical perspective?
Kenneth C. Davis' "Don't Know Much About the Bible" is a decent place to start. Richard E. Friedman's "Who Wrote the Bible?" is even better. Maybe Burton L. Mack's "Who Wrote the New Testament?: The Making of the Christian Myth" too. Bart D. Ehrman's "Misquoting Jesus: The Story Behind Who Changed the Bible and Why" is an interesting look at the historical difficulties of comparing and evaluating different scriptural manuscripts.
Reply:This is from an archeological -historical prospective: The bible unearthed.
Reply:you may want look into the writings of Scott Hann
Reply:The Bible and its Influence


by Cullen Schippe, Chuck Stetson, Chuck Stetson, Chuck Stetson (Editor)
Reply:Dear C-Bunny; greetings from Apollos; it is possible to study the Bible from a historical perspective; because a number of individuals have come to place their faith in God's Word; and I commend you for you interest. On the other hand since the Bible is primarily (divinely inspired) religious literature based within historical context; would it be possible to totally divorce it from it cultural and religious context? In my experience in watching the Discovery or History channel; I noticed the tendency to downplay miraculous events decibel in the Bible; such as the parting of the Red Sea or the resurrection of Jesus Christ in order to find a naturalist (scientific explanation) of events outside the realm of science. Personally, I would like to see program such as these give a balanced approach to these topics ; rather than selecting liberal scholars who may not view the Bible as the divinely inspired Word of God. Now, having stated all that please allow me to give you some recommendations:





The NIV Archaeological Study Bible provides a good balance in placing the events in the Bible in their historical context; here arewebsites for study the Bilbe as history





http://www.everystudent.com/features/bib...





http://www.history.com/minisite.








this is a book listing


Eerdmans Dictionary of the Bible (Hardcover)


another website:


www.biblehistory.com





Bible History


Articles and a weekly column about the Bible and its history. Comparison of beliefs by denomination. Evidence of the Bible's authenticity and ...


www.biblehistory.com - More from this site - Similar pages


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http://www.greatsite.com/timeline-englis...





this gives a history of English translations;





One last thing; I posted an answer to Remiyu; regarding what is the best translation of the Bible; it was posted as one of the best answers; you should find that useful. I do hope that the resources that I listed will help you in your quest for answers. May you be blessed.