Surpassing Wonder – The Invention of the Bible & the Talmuds: The Invention of the Bible and the Talmuds - Softcover

Akenson, Donald Harman

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0226010732 ISBN 13: 9780226010731

Publisher: University of Chicago Press, 2001

Synopsis

This text uncovers how the ancient Hebrew scriptures, the Christian New Testament, and the Talmuds of the Rabbis are related and how, collectively, they make up the core of Western consciousness. Donald Harman Akenson provides an incisive critique of how religious scholars have distorted the holy books and argues that it was actually the inventor of the Hebrew scriptures who shaped our concept of narrative history - thereby founding Western culture.

About this title

Review:

"How can a brilliant, learned, and original work of biblical scholarship also be delightfully funny, generous in spirit, and so gentle in its instruction that we barely know that we've been improved? Surpassing Wonder changes forever how one reads the Bible, and therefore how one reads most of Western culture. Thanks, Mr Akenson, to say the very least." Roger Rosenblatt "One cannot help but be struck by [Akenson's] wide-ranging and often highly original insights, which he transmits with literary vigour, wit, and ambling ease. Here, for instance, is a non-Jewish historian who considers the Babylonian Talmud - so often contemned and even banned - as a shining creation that the world should recognize as the masterpiece it is." Rabbi W. Gunther Plaut, Senior Scholar, Holy Blossom Temple "Professor Akenson possesses the special gift of blending scholarly precision with sparkling imagination. He carefully analyses and interprets ancient texts while preserving and often illuminating their significance for thoughtful people at the end of the twentieth century." The Right Reverend Peter R. Mason, Bishop of Ontario "This outstanding book is a love letter to the Bible, written in awe of the Jewish and Christian texts, but sparkling with light and joy - a scholarly light, in which two faiths can listen to each other's histories, and a sense of humour which reflects the Bible itself, and the events jointly caused by God and man." Bishop Stephen Verney "Although I may not agree entirely with Dr Akenson's analysis, this book is an intriguing exploration of the creation of the scriptures and opens new avenues of discussion in Christian Jewish Dialogue. It is a fascinating contribution to the widening debate about the Bible, its origins, and its relevance for the world today. I welcome this contribution to opening our hearts and stimulating our minds." Bill Phipps, Moderator, United Church of Canada "It is a tour de force combining critical, balanced analysis with charming wit, and certainly both, but especially the latter are sorely needed in the fields of both theological and scriptural scholarship which far too often self immolate in a sea of jargon and tedium. As a church historian, I am indeed delighted to see a universally respected colleague produce such a marvelously engaging and refreshing exploration of the basic scriptural underpinnings of the Jewish and Christian traditions. The work demonstrates that for far too long the shame of anti-Semitism has undermined objective analysis of what Jews and Christian members of a common root, and as such both need to be knowledgeable about this shared reality. Further, it shows the power of good history, which is often ignored in schools and departments of theology, to inspire the imagination that in turn promotes unity, hope and especially compassion towards the other. It is such challenging studies as this that are particularly vital for all people as we enter the twenty-first century where, as never before, they are needed if the human species and life on this planet are to survive into the following century." Vince McNally, Associate Professor of Church History and Patristics, Sacred Heart School of Theology.

About the Author:

Donald Harman Akenson teaches at Queen's University in Canada and is the Beamish Research Professor at the Institute of Irish Studies, University of Liverpool. He is the Canada Council Molson Laureate and the author of over twenty books and novels.

About this edition

• Publisher: University of Chicago Press
• Publication date: 2001
• ISBN 10: 0226010732
• ISBN 13: 9780226010731
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 670