Tragedy and Biblical Narrative
Author | : J. Cheryl Exum |
Publisher | : Cambridge University Press |
Total Pages | : 228 |
Release | : 1996-05-16 |
ISBN-10 | : 0521565065 |
ISBN-13 | : 9780521565066 |
Rating | : 4/5 (65 Downloads) |
Book excerpt: Using insights about ancient and modern tragedy, this study offers challenging and provocative new readings of selected Biblical narratives: the story of Israel's first king, Saul, rejected for his disobedience to God and driven to madness; the story of Jephthah's sacrifice of his daughter in fulfillment of his vow to offer God a sacrifice in return for military victory; and the story of Israel's most famous king, David, whose tragedy lies in the burden of divine judgement that falls on his house as a consequence of his sins. The book discusses how these narratives handle such perennial tragic issues as guilt, suffering and evil.