Short description:

This book introduces the Bible as one of the greatest works of world literature. Ferretter provides a comprehensive history of the field, alongside detailed readings of the Bible and the most influential theories in the area. It is essential reading for students and scholars of Literature, Biblical Studies, and Cultural Studies.  

Long 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.

Table of 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: S?ren 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