Description
Book SynopsisA scholar of biblical studies and cultural theory develops a political myth for the Left based on foundational stories in the Bibles first six books, from Genesis through Joshua.
Trade Review“Boer, who has created a fresh and refreshing form of Marxist criticism of biblical texts, here offers a first synthesis of his biblical interpretation. . . . In Boer, critical biblical scholarship has found a new and intelligent voice. His notion that Genesis to Joshua is a many-faceted work of political mythology is convincing and deserves further elaboration.” -
International Review of Biblical Studies“Boer is at his best when he is hard at work showing the repression or contradictions inherent in particular myths (whether biblical, Australian, American, or capitalist). I had several ‘wow!’ moments as I was reading, particularly in the chapters on Australian and American discourses on Israel and on Milton Friedman. Boer has a gift for drawing the reader’s attention to
absurdity and making it seem obvious (how could we have missed it?!).” - Craig Martin,
The Bible and Critical Theory“An eclectic work of biblical hermeneutics and political theology, Boer’s readings will undoubtedly be questioned by many but helpfully provoke conversation about the nature of political myth and the justifications for theologically informed political acts.”
- Myles Werntz,
Religious Studies Review“This book is a masterful discussion of political myth and a sophisticated reading of Genesis-Joshua as a political myth and the use of the logic of this myth in capitalist nations in general and Australia and the USA in particular. . . . Boer’s message needs to be heard. His strategy needs attention. His analysis of the Hexateuch needs to be studied. I highly recommend this book.” - Uriah Y. Kim,
Reviews in Religion and Theology“As with his other works B. provides a coherent mix of biblical reading, modern theory and realpolitik.” - M. E. Mills,
Journal for the Study of the Old Testament“Focusing on the Genesis–Joshua narrative as a foundational political myth, Roland Boer illuminates the incorporation of that myth into representations of Israel, the foreign policies of the United States and Australia, and their relations to Israel. Drawing on his expertise in biblical studies and critical theory, he deconstructs contemporary geopolitical discourse and argues for a new political myth of and for the Left.”—
Fernando F. Segovia, author of
Decolonizing Biblical Studies: A View from the Margins“How might the Left respond to the capitalist version of the biblical myth of the Land of unlimited plenty? Roland Boer demonstrates how a serious look at the Bible is unavoidable today when religion and myth have returned as topics of serious debate. Boer’s book provides the missing link between biblical studies and political theory.”—
Jorunn Økland, Centre for Gender Research, University of Oslo
“An eclectic work of biblical hermeneutics and political theology, Boer’s readings will undoubtedly be questioned by many but helpfully provoke conversation about the nature of political myth and the justifications for theologically informed political acts.”
-- Myles Werntz * Religious Studies Review *
“As with his other works B. provides a coherent mix of biblical reading, modern theory and realpolitik.” -- M. E. Mills * Journal for the Study of the Old Testament *
“Boer is at his best when he is hard at work showing the repression or contradictions inherent in particular myths (whether biblical, Australian, American, or capitalist). I had several ‘wow!’ moments as I was reading, particularly in the chapters on Australian and American discourses on Israel and on Milton Friedman. Boer has a gift for drawing the reader’s attention to
absurdity and making it seem obvious (how could we have missed it?!).” -- Craig Martin * Bible and Critical Theory *
“Boer, who has created a fresh and refreshing form of Marxist criticism of biblical texts, here offers a first synthesis of his biblical interpretation. . . . In Boer, critical biblical scholarship has found a new and intelligent voice. His notion that Genesis to Joshua is a many-faceted work of political mythology is convincing and deserves further elaboration.” * International Review of Biblical Studies *
“This book is a masterful discussion of political myth and a sophisticated reading of Genesis-Joshua as a political myth and the use of the logic of this myth in capitalist nations in general and Australia and the USA in particular. . . . Boer’s message needs to be heard. His strategy needs attention. His analysis of the Hexateuch needs to be studied. I highly recommend this book.” -- Uriah Y. Kim * Reviews in Religion and Theology *
Table of ContentsPreface ix
Introduction 1
1. Toward a Theory of Political Myth 9
2. Women First? On the Legacy of "Primitive Communism" 36
3. The Fantasy of Myth 62
4. The Sacred Economy 89
5. Foreign Policy and the Fantasy of Israel in Australia 116
6. Christianity, Capitalism, and the Fantasy of Israel in the United States 144
7. Mythmaking for the Left 168
Conclusion 189
Appendix 193
Notes 213
Bibliography 227
Indexes 245
