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Biblical Studies Alternatively: An Introductory Reader

Susanne Scholz, Ph.D., College of Wooster

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Overview

Description

For undergraduate and seminary-level courses covering Introduction to the Bible and the Christian canon of the Bible; courses on “The Bible and Culture”; or 2-semester courses that cover the Hebrew Bible and the New Testament.

Anthology focuses on scholarly meanings of the Bible. Avoids conventional historical approach to teach students to read Bible within social context and culture. Organized by categories of gender, race/ethnicity, and class.

Features

Thematic approach—Introduces the Bible as a cultural artifact of multiple meanings.
- Illustrates to students the historical and political dimensions of the Bible in society.

A combination of the Old and New Testament readings—Combines scholarly research on the Christian canon.
- Enables students to buy only one textbook that covers both the Hebrew Bible and the New Testament. Gives instructors a text, which covers a 2-semester course.

Clear organization—Divided into categories of gender, race/ethnicity, and class.
- Allows instructors to relate biblical materials to the popular analytical tools of academics. Gives students the opportunity to link ancient texts with the concerns of the modern world.

A range of perspectives—The many “true” meanings presented in a non-literal way.
- Invites students to understand the Bible through past and present interpretations.

A focus on innovative research—Concentrates on studies that have emerged since the 1970/80s.
- Presents to students the globalizing field of biblical scholarship.

1. Why Study the Bible Academically? An Opening Comment. 2. Modernity and the Study of the Bible as Historical Literature. 3. What is “Alternative” about this Introductory Reader? 4. Why Relate the Categories of Gender, Race/Ethnicity, and Class to the Study of the Bible? 5. What are the Criteria for Selecting the Articles for this Anthology? 6. What Can You Expect to Learn from this Anthology? 7. Postscript: A Future for Biblical Studies.

I. INTRODUCTORY MATTERS.

The Great Gulf Between Scholars and the Pew, Michael D. Coogan. Life in the Crypt or Why Bother with Biblical Studies, Mark Coleridge. The Author/Text/Reader and Power: Suggestions for a Critical Framework for Biblical Studies, Gale A. Yee. Biblical Interpretation and the Social Location of the Interpreter: African Women's Reading of the Bible, Mercy Amba Oduyoye.

II. THE RHETORIC OF GENDER.

1. The Bible and Feminism.

American Women and the Bible: The Nature of Woman as a Hermeneutical Issue, Carolyn De Swarte Gifford. What Makes a Feminist Reading Feminist? A Qualified Answer, Phyllis A. Bird. What Makes a Feminist Reading Feminist: Another Perspective, Pamela Thimmes.

2. The First Woman and Man as a Gender Issue.

On the Creation of Man and Woman in Genesis 1-3: The History and Reception of the Texts Reconsidered, Helen Schüngel-Straumann. Eve and Adam: Genesis 2-3 Reread, “Not a Jot, Not a Title,” Phyllis Trible. Epilogue: The Coming of Lilith, “Lilith Revisited,” Judith Plaskow.

3. Mary Magdalene and Other Women Disciples.

How Mary Magdalene Became a Whore, Jane Schaberg. Presence or Absence? The Question of Women Disciples at the Last Supper, Dorothy A. Lee.

4. The Issue of Heterosexism.

Sodom and Gomorrah (Gen. 19:1-29) on the Internet, Susanne Scholz. The Biblical Prohibition of Homosexual Intercourse, Martin S. Cohen. Patristic Interpretations of Rom. 1:26, Bernadette J. Brooten.

III. THE RHETORIC OF RACE/ETHNICITY.

5. A Baptismal Formula for Racial and Ethnic Justice.

Neither Jew nor Greek: Ethnic Conflict in Graeco-Roman Society, Christopher D. Stanley. The Praxis of Coequal Discipleship, Elisabeth Schüssler Fiorenza. The Hottest Race Issue in the World, Donald A. McGavran.

6. The Dispute about Slavery in America.

The Biblical Anti-Slavery Argument of the Decade 1830-1840, Caroline L. Shanks. The Curse That Never Was (Genesis 9:18-27), Gene Rice. House Readings and Field Readings: The Discourse of Slavery and Biblical/Cultural Studies, Jennifer A. Glancy.

7. Ethnic Perspectives on the Bible.

Reading Texts Through Worlds, Worlds Through Texts, Vincent L. Wimbush. Developments in Biblical Interpretation in Africa: Historical and Hermeneutical Directions, Justin S. Ukpong. Life in the Midst of Death: Naomi, Ruth and the Plight of Indigenous Women, Dalila Nayap-Pot. Two Mission Commands: An Interpretation of Matthew 28:16-20 in the Light of a Buddhist Text, George M. Soares-Prabhu.

8. Discussions of Christian Anti-Judaism.

The Challenge of Hebrew Scriptures in Jewish-Christian Religions, Arthur E. Zannoni. The New Testament: Confronting Its Impact on Jewish-Christian Relations, Michael Cook. Jesus-A Pharisee and the Christ, John T. Pawlikowski. John 8:39-47: Children of Abraham or of the Devil?, Richard A. Bondi.

IV. THE RHETORIC OF CLASS.

9. God and the Option for the Poor.

Good News for the Poor, Elsa Tamez. The Biblical God from the Perspective of the Poor, Itumeleng J. Mosala.

10. Economic Justice as a Biblical Concern.

Dangerous Waters of Justice and Righteousness: Amos 5:18-27, Jon L. Berquist. Poverty and Punishment in the Book of Proverbs, James L. Crenshaw. Human Solidarity and the Goodness of God: The Parable of the Workers in the Vineyard (Matt. 20:1-15), Luise Schottroff. Creation of New Meaning: Rhetorical Situations and the Reception of Romans 13:1-7, Jan Botha.

11. Liberation and Oppression in the Book of Exodus.

A Latin American Perspective: The Option for the Poor in the Old Testament, George V. Pixley. A Palestinian Perspective: The Bible and Liberation, Naim Ateek. Canaanites, Cowboys, and Indians: Deliverance, Conquest, and Liberation Theology, Allen Warrior.

Index of Biblical References.

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