Full Description
This book introduces the Bible as one of the greatest works of world literature. Luke Ferretter provides a comprehensive history of the field, alongside detailed readings of the texts of the Bible and the most influential theories in the area.
The Bible as Literature: A New Introduction is divided into groups of texts in the Bible by genre - the Pentateuch; the histories; the poetry; the Wisdom literature; prophecy; the Gospels; the letters; and apocalyptic writing - reflecting the majority of courses. Organized into three sections, each chapter begins with a clear introduction to current theories around who wrote and edited each Biblical book. Ferretter then offers detailed and original literary criticism of that book, encouraging readers to pursue similar literary criticism of the Bible themselves. The final section in each chapter discusses a text related to each Biblical book. These texts include visual, musical, poetic, fictional, philosophical, theological, and psychological works. Throughout the guidebook, there are also useful text boxes and discussion questions, which contextualize examples and enrich students' understanding.
This engaging and accessible introduction reveals the Bible's significance both as literature and for literary study in light of current Biblical scholarship. It is essential reading for students and scholars of literature, Biblical studies, and cultural studies.
Contents
Acknowledgements
Introduction
The Bible
Literature
The Bible as Literature
1. The Pentateuch, Part I: Genesis
The Composition of the Pentateuch
The Documentary Hypothesis
Beyond the Documentary Hypothesis
The Creation Stories
The First Creation Account
The Second Creation Account
A Gender Community
An Ecological Community
Text for Discussion: Enuma Elish
Abraham
Hagar and Ishmael
Text for Discussion: Søren Kierkegaard, Fear and Trembling
Jacob
Jacob and the Struggle for Existence
Esau and the Face of God
2. The Pentateuch, Part II: Exodus-Deuteronomy
Exodus
The Divine Name
The Passover
Text for Discussion: St Augustine, On Christian Teaching
The Ten Commandments
Leviticus
Purity and Horror
The Logic of Purity
Numbers
Murmuring in the Wilderness
What Did Moses Do?
Deuteronomy
The Deuteronomists
The End of the Torah
An Endless Call
Text for Discussion: Michelangelo, Moses
3. The Histories
The Deuteronomistic History
Joshua
Text for Discussion: The Ethics of the Conquest Narratives
Samson
Israel's Worst Nazirite
Sex and Violence
Ruth
Introduction
A Moral Story
A Love Story
David
Introduction
David as an Artist
David, Bathsheba, and Uriah
Text for Discussion: Rembrandt, David and Uriah
Esther
Introduction
Vashti's Refusal
The Sex Contest
The Slaughter of The Enemies
Text for Discussion: The Greek Additions to Esther
4. Biblical Poetry
The Psalms
Introduction
Intimacy
Anguish
Enemies
The Wicked
The King
Praise
Text for Discussion: Psalm 1: Hebrew Poetry
The Song of Songs
Introduction
Ancient Near Eastern Love Poetry
The Eros of the Senses
The Songs of Description
Searching in the Night
David and Solomon
Text for Discussion: St. Bernard of Clairvaux, On the Song of Songs
5. Wisdom Literature
Job
Introduction
Yahweh and the Satan
Job and his Companions
Job and Yahweh
Text for Discussion: C.G. Jung, Answer to Job
Proverbs
Introduction
Madam Wisdom
The Woman of Strength
Text for Discussion: Lucy Newlyn, Diary of a Bipolar Explorer
Ecclesiastes
Introduction
Qohelet
Vanity
Hedonism
Pessimism
Fearing God
Not-Knowing
Text for Discussion: Ernest Hemingway, The Sun Also Rises
6. The Prophets
Isaiah
Introduction
History and Theology in Isaiah 1-39
The Highway Through the Desert
The Servant Songs
The Non-Ending of Isaiah 56-66
Text for Discussion: from Georg Friedrich Handel, Messiah
Jeremiah
Introduction
The Siege of Jerusalem
Prophecies of Judgement
Prophecies of Consolation
Text for Discussion: Gerard Manley Hopkins, "Thou art indeed just, Lord, if I contend"
Ezekiel
Introduction
Ezekiel's Call
Ezekiel's Sign-Acts
The Valley of Dry Bones
The River of Life
Text for Discussion: William Blake, The Marriage of Heaven and Hell
7. The Gospels
The Synoptic Gospels
Matthew
Introduction
Jesus's Parables
The Theory of Parables
The Laborers in the Vineyard
Text for Discussion: The Infancy Gospel of Thomas
Luke
Introduction
The Annunciation
The Crucifixion
Texts for Discussion: The Alexamenos Graffito; George Herbert, "Easter Wings"
John
Introduction
In the Beginning was the Word
The Word Made Flesh
Text for Discussion: William Holman Hunt, The Light of the World
8. Paul's Letters
Introduction
Paul's Life
Undisputed and Disputed Letters
Adam and Christ
Text for Discussion: The Correspondence Between Paul and Seneca
9. Revelation
Introduction
The Two Beasts
The Beast from the Sea
The Beast from the Earth
The Number of the Name
The New Jerusalem
Text for Discussion: Albrecht Dürer, The Four Horsemen, from "The Apocalypse"
Index
