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Overview
An essential biography of one of the Bible's most influential books
During its 2,500-year life, the book of Genesis has been the keystone to almost every important claim about reality, humanity, and God in Judaism and Christianity. And it continues to play a central role in debates about science, politics, and human rights. With clarity and skill, acclaimed biblical scholar Ronald Hendel provides a panoramic history of this iconic book, exploring its impact on Western religion, philosophy, science, politics, literature, and more.
Hendel traces how Genesis has shaped views of reality, and how changing views of reality have shaped interpretations of Genesis. Literal and figurative readings have long competed with each other. Hendel tells how Luther's criticisms of traditional figurative accounts of Genesis undermined the Catholic Church; how Galileo made the radical argument that the cosmology of Genesis wasn't scientific evidence; and how Spinoza made the equally radical argument that the scientific method should be applied to Genesis itself. Indeed, Hendel shows how many high points of Western thought and art have taken the form of encounters with Genesisfrom Paul and Augustine to Darwin, Emily Dickinson, and Kafka.
From debates about slavery, gender, and sexuality to the struggles over creationism and evolution, Genesis has shaped our world and continues to do so today. This wide-ranging account tells the remarkable story of the life of Genesis like no other book.
Ronald Hendel is the Norma and Sam Dabby Professor of Hebrew Bible and Jewish Studies at the University of California, Berkeley. He is the editor in chief of The Oxford Hebrew Bible and the author of Remembering Abraham and Reading Genesis.
Table of Contents
Acknowledgments xi Introduction - The Life of Genesis 1 Chapter 1 - The Genesis of Genesis 14 Chapter 2 - The Rise of the Figural Sense 45 Chapter 3 - Apocalyptic Secrets 63 Chapter 4 - Platonic Worlds 83 Chapter 5 - Between the Figure and the Real 109 Chapter 6 - Genesis and Science: From the Beginning to Fundamentalism 145 Chapter 7 - Modern Times 196 Afterword - Stories of Our Alley 242 Timeline 247 Notes 249 Index of Citations 269 General Index 271
What People are Saying About This
From the Publisher
"[Hendel's] book is recommended to all those who would like to strike up an acquaintance with Genesis in its austere beauty and intriguing complexity."—Krzysztof Napora, Biblical Annals"Engaging and accessible."—Christopher McConnell, Booklist"A delightful read that both informs and engages the reader."—J. Richard Middleton, Perspectives on Science and Christian Faith"Original and refreshing."—Arnold Ages, Jewish Post & Opinion"Intriguing."—Scott McLemee, Inside Higher Ed