Title: The Pentateuch : a liberation-critical reading /
Authors: Laffey, Alice L., 1944-
Publisher: Fortress Press,
Year: 1998
Subjects: Bible. Feminist criticism.; Liberation theology.
Abstract: "Alice Laffey's The Pentateuch points the way to a different reading of Scripture, one that raises fresh questions for the contemporary reader: power, liberation, justice, and preeminently, connectedness. Laffey's rereading of the major themes of the first five books of the Bible enables readers to gain a firm grasp of the contents of this major literary corpus. She highlights neglected resources in the biblical texts in order "to approach these texts from the perspective of a respectfully interdependent worldview." This radical expansion and transformation of feminist biblical criticism incorporates concern for all humans, all animals, all nature, in a global - even cosmic - way."--BOOK JACKET.
Contents: Part One -- 1. Cosmic and human interdependence -- creation stories -- salvific wood, conservation, and destructive water -- re-creation -- covenant -- thirsty camels, watering sheep, and brides -- concern for the weak -- reconciliation -- sleek cows, gaunt cows -- sharing resources and preserving life -- provision for all -- blessings -- neighborliness -- 2. Use, not abuse -- an ark for protection -- animals for food -- bread, clothing, and water -- trees -- able, God-fearing men to judge the people -- 3. The land: a promised treasure -- sacred land between Bethel and Ai -- sacred land at Mamre -- covenanted land -- inherited land -- of mild and honey -- filled with abundance -- Sabbath for the land -- the extent of the land -- distributing the land -- Part Two -- 4. Sin: the legitimation of patriarchy -- judgment -- genealogies -- my wife/my sister -- rape -- rivalries between females -- a levirate marriage -- a jealous husband -- 5. Sin: the legitimation of hierarchy -- sibling rivalry -- war -- economics, competitions, and greed -- slavery -- water pollution -- ecological imbalance -- Part Three -- 6. Liberation -- courageous midwives -- a burning bush, a sacred mountain -- liberating water -- manna a quail -- retrunign to family and property -- returning to God -- 7. Belonging: covenantal relationship -- circumcision -- covenant: remembrance, reading, renewal -- an obedient kingdom of priests -- the Sabbath -- forgiveness and reconciliation -- for the future also -- 8. Reciprocity -- loving -- making and being holy -- doing justice -- showing reverence for God -- showing reverence for others -- showing reverence for all life and all things.