Using ATLA
An extremely useful resource for developing bibliography for specific scripture texts is the ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials (that link will require EASE authentication). While it can be used to search for specialist bibliography of different kinds, it is also an excellent tool when researching a specific biblical text. If, for example, you were using Exodus 3 as one of your central texts for an essay related to the “Revelation” theme, you would follow these steps:
1. Main screen
This is what things look like on arrival (after authenticating) -
2. Use “Scriptures” link:
Go to your biblical book of interest from the “Scriptures” link in the top banner menu -
3. Find book of interest
We want Exodus here (if you were looking for a later book in ATLA’s pagination, use the “Next ▸” link). Click “Expand” to get the chapter listing -
4. Go to chapter of interest
We want Chapter 3 (again, use the “Next ▸” link if your chapter comes later in ATLA’s pagination) -
5. Click to get results
Results come listed by “relevance” by default; you might want to change to “Date Newest” to get at most recent things first (not because they’re necessarily the best, but they’ll probably give access to most related literature in their notes):
You can go below the chapter level to get specific verses (e.g., Exodus 3:14), but I find that in general, that is too “granular” and a lot of irrelevant material will show up as well.
Once you have your results, the sifting process starts! But at least there is access to specialist literature, and if Edinburgh has a subscription to the electronic version of the journal, there’s a good chance you can get the full PDF from the results window. Note that you can refine your results in the sidebar on the left of the screen, e.g.:
- set date limits (like 1995 to 2015);
- limit to full-text hits;
- choose “Subject” headings (e.g. “
god--biblical teaching” rather than “moses, (biblical leader)” from the Exodus 3 example).