Description
Book Synopsis* * A stimulating, readable, one-volume reference source about twenty-first century approaches to the Bible. * Consists of 30 articles written by distinguished specialists from around the world.
Trade Review“As most of the contributors are not trained primarily as biblical scholars, the fresh perspective they bring will benefit specialists and non-specialists alike.” (Religious Studies Review, 1 September 2014)
“WithThe Blackwell Companion to the New Testament highly recommended for its biblical scholarship, The Blackwell Companion to the Bible and Culture seems more reader-friendly but just as thorough as indicated by its ample citations and impressive bibliographies at the end of each chapter. Both books also make excellent reference guides without overlapping. i.e., Instead of presenting approaches that influence our understanding of a biblical text,The Blackwell Companion to the Bible and Culture shows the influence of the Bible on literature, art, music, psychology, and even history and politics.” (Bible Reviewer, 7 December 2013)
"Perusing this well-edited, fully indexed Companion is an exhilarating experience that is likely to lead readers to offer a sincere, if breathless, thanks to all involved in its creation." (Choice)
"An intriguing and highly engaging set of articles which demonstrate clearly how much of the world's culture has been, and is, permeated with biblical imagery, ideas and influences." (Journal for the Study of the New Testament)
This volume is a delight, full of interest and surprises. It contains a wealth of fine scholarship made readable and the book is highly recommended … Immensely varied, accessible, and fascinating." (
Journal of Contemporary Religion)
"A sweeping and magnanimous overview … admirably achieves its goal with wit, aplomb, and a disciplinary breadth that is all too rare in biblical studies today … A welcome addition to the growing corpus of literature on the important relationship(s) between the Bible and culture." (Review of Biblical Literature)
"A unique manual that demonstrates that biblical studies are no longer done exclusively in departments of theology." (International Review of Biblical Studies)
Table of ContentsNotes on Contributors viii
List of Figures xiii
Preface to the Paperback Edition xv
Introduction 1
John F. A. Sawyer
Part I Revealing the Past 9
1 The Ancient World 11
Philip R. Davies
2 The Patristic Period 28
Kate Cooper
3 The Middle Ages 39
Mary Dove
4 The Renaissance 54
Ilona N. Rashkow
5 The Reformation 69
Peter Matheson
6 The Counter-Reformation 85
Euan Cameron
7 The Modern World 104
John W. Rogerson
Part II The Nomadic Text 117
8 Judaism 119
Edward Kessler
9 Islam 135
Stephen N. Lambden
10 Asia 158
Choan-Seng Song
11 Africa 176
Jonathan A. Draper
12 North America 198
Scott M. Langston
13 Latin America 217
Erhard S. Gerstenberger
14 Australasia 232
Roland Boer and Ibrahim Abraham
Part III The Bible and the Senses 251
15 Literature 253
Jo Carruthers
16 Film 268
Alice Bach
17 Music 286
John W. Rogerson
18 Art 299
Heidi J. Hornik and Mikeal C. Parsons
19 Architecture 323
Andrew Ballantyne
20 The Theatre 338
Meg Twycross
21 The Circus 365
Burke O. Long
22 The Body 381
Gerard Loughlin
Part IV Reading in Practice 397
23 Contextuality 399
Gerald West
24 Politics 414
Tim Gorringe
25 Ecology 432
Anne Primavesi
26 Psychology 447
Ilona N. Rashkow
27 Gender 464
Deborah F. Sawyer
28 Nationalism 480
Jo Carruthers
29 Post-colonialism 497
Sharon A. Bong
30 Postmodernism 515
Andrew Tate
Index of Biblical References 534
General Index 546
