Publication
Fontana Press (1989), Edition: New Ed, Paperback, 688 pages
Collection
Call number
Th-C4-0597
Status
Available
Call number
Description
This literary guide leads the reader toward an understanding and appreciation of a book that has shaped the minds of men and women for two millenia and more. Provides an analysis of the Bible's structures, themes, narrative techniques and poetic forms. 1 line illustration. Rediscover the incomparable literary richness and strength of a book that all of us live with an many of us live by. An international team of renowned scholars, assembled by two leading literary critics, offers a book-by-book guide through the Old and New Testaments as well as general essays on the Bible as a whole, providing an enticing reintroduction to a work that has shaped our language and thought for thousands of years.
User reviews
LibraryThing member DubiousDisciple
I’ve had this book for quite a while, but used it only as an occasional reference. I finally decided to read it all the way through, and I’m glad I did, though it definitely took a while. Perhaps two dozen authors provide coverage of nearly every book of the Bible, plus a collection of general
This collection isn’t meant as a ministerial aid. It’s a book-by-book journey into the richness of the Bible’s presentation. The Old Testament coverage focuses heavily on the poetic structure and literary qualities of the writing. As a result, books you may consider dry—like Isaiah—become stunning in their literary beauty, while other books that contain fascinating stories and theological depth—like Genesis—can appear ugly and boring by comparison.
While the Old Testament focuses more intently on literary style and presentation, the tone shifts when the topic moves from the Hebrew Old Testament to the Greek New Testament. Here, the emphasis is more on historical-critical exegesis, and what the New Testament writers were trying to tell us about the Christian movement in their own day. While Christian writings do build heavily on an Old Testament foundation, they derive not from the poetic Hebrew but from the ghetto-Greek of the Septuagint. Thus, cadence gives way to content, but the coverage is no less interesting.
I toyed with the idea of doing two book reviews: one for the Hebrew Bible and one for the Christian writings. They are that different. My favorite topics, for four entirely different reasons, were:
Isaiah, by Luis Alsonso Schokel, which is a exquisite collection of poetry by three or more authors.
Jonah, by James S. Ackerman, is exposed as a literary masterpiece.
The Gospel of Mark, by John Drury, is an interesting portrayal of a human Jesus hardly devoid of emotion.
The Pauline Epistles, by Michael Goulder, provides a glimpse into the mind of a fascinating and influential apostle.
Show More
essays thrown in at the end for good measure.This collection isn’t meant as a ministerial aid. It’s a book-by-book journey into the richness of the Bible’s presentation. The Old Testament coverage focuses heavily on the poetic structure and literary qualities of the writing. As a result, books you may consider dry—like Isaiah—become stunning in their literary beauty, while other books that contain fascinating stories and theological depth—like Genesis—can appear ugly and boring by comparison.
While the Old Testament focuses more intently on literary style and presentation, the tone shifts when the topic moves from the Hebrew Old Testament to the Greek New Testament. Here, the emphasis is more on historical-critical exegesis, and what the New Testament writers were trying to tell us about the Christian movement in their own day. While Christian writings do build heavily on an Old Testament foundation, they derive not from the poetic Hebrew but from the ghetto-Greek of the Septuagint. Thus, cadence gives way to content, but the coverage is no less interesting.
I toyed with the idea of doing two book reviews: one for the Hebrew Bible and one for the Christian writings. They are that different. My favorite topics, for four entirely different reasons, were:
Isaiah, by Luis Alsonso Schokel, which is a exquisite collection of poetry by three or more authors.
Jonah, by James S. Ackerman, is exposed as a literary masterpiece.
The Gospel of Mark, by John Drury, is an interesting portrayal of a human Jesus hardly devoid of emotion.
The Pauline Epistles, by Michael Goulder, provides a glimpse into the mind of a fascinating and influential apostle.
Show Less
LibraryThing member kijabi1
A cure for Biblical illiteracy.
Language
ISBN
0006861709 / 9780006861706
Original publication date
1987