The Book of God: A Response to the BibleIs the Bible one book or a collection of writings? If it is a book, does it stand as a coherent piece of literature? Building on the recently renewed interest in biblical narrative associated with Erich Auerbach, Northrop Frye, and Robert Alter, Gabriel Josipovici here sets out to answer these and other equally fascinating questions. Developing his argument through close textual analysis, Josipovici draws on his deep knowledge and appreciation of medieval and modern art and literature and on his personal understanding of the possibilities of narrative. His beautifully written book not only lifts literary-biblical criticism to a new level but also makes the Bible accessible to our secular age. "This is a book to be grateful for: thoughtful, deeply felt, and beautifully written."--David Lodge, Independent "Full of such insights, which deserve and need to be pondered by both literary critics and Biblical scholars of the traditional sort."--John Barton, London Review of Books |
Contents
The Book | 29 |
ELEMENTS OF RHYTHM | 51 |
Joseph and Revelation | 75 |
Building the Tabernacle | 90 |
The Book of Judges | 108 |
ASPECTS OF SPEECH | 133 |
The Need to Utter | 153 |
Dialogue and Distance | 168 |
Narrative and Incarnation | 210 |
St Paul and Subjectivity | 235 |
READING AND INTERPRETATION | 255 |
The Man in the Field | 276 |
THE BOOK OF | 295 |
Notes | 311 |
326 | |
344 | |