Belonging in Genesis
Biblical Israel and the Politics of Identity Formation
- 179 pages
- English
- PDF
- Available on iOS & Android
About this book
Genesis calls its readers into a vision of human community unconstrained by the categories that dominate modern thinking about identity. Genesis situates humanity within a network of nurture that encompasses the entire cosmos--only then introducing Israel not as a people, but as a promise. Genesis prioritizes a human identity that originates in the divine word and depends on ongoing relationship with God. Those called into this new mode of belonging must forsake the social definition that had structured their former life, trading it for an alternative that will only gradually take shape. In contrast to the rigidity that typifies modern notions, Genesis depicts identity as fundamentally fluid. Encounter with God leads to a new social self, not a "spiritual" self that operates only within parameters established in the body at birth.
In Belonging in Genesis, Amanda Mbuvi highlights the ways narrative and the act of storytelling function to define and create a community. Building on the emphasis on family in Genesis, she focuses on the way family storytelling is a means of holding together the interpretation of the text and the constitution of the reading community. Explicitly engaging the way in which readers regard the biblical text as a point of reference for their own (collective) identities leads to an understanding of Genesis as inviting its readers into a radically transformative vision of their place in the world.
Frequently asked questions
- Essential is ideal for learners and professionals who enjoy exploring a wide range of subjects. Access the Essential Library with 800,000+ trusted titles and best-sellers across business, personal growth, and the humanities. Includes unlimited reading time and Standard Read Aloud voice.
- Complete: Perfect for advanced learners and researchers needing full, unrestricted access. Unlock 1.4M+ books across hundreds of subjects, including academic and specialized titles. The Complete Plan also includes advanced features like Premium Read Aloud and Research Assistant.
Please note we cannot support devices running on iOS 13 and Android 7 or earlier. Learn more about using the app.
Information
Table of contents
- Cover
- Half Title Page, Title Page, Copyright, Dedication
- Contents
- A Note on Terminology and Translation
- Acknowledgments
- 1. Playing by Different Rules: Reading Genesis through Its Deferrals
- 2. (Un)conventional Genesis: Two Ways of Reading Identity and the Divine Word
- 3. Family Storytelling: The Relationship between Genesis and Its Readers
- 4. The Theology of Genealogy: A Boundary Breaking Foundation for Identity
- 5. The Social Ladder and the Family Tree: Competing Approaches to Structuring Identity
- 6. Fruitfulness: The Emergence of a New Identity beyond Insider/Outsider Dichotomies
- Postscript
- Works Cited
- Indices