Leviticus as Literature
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This first full-scale account of Leviticus by a world renowned anthropologist presents the biblical work as a literary masterpiece. Seen in an anthropological perspective Leviticus has a mystical structure which plots the book into three parts corresponding to the three parts of the desert tabernacle, both corresponding to the parts of Mount Sinai. This completely new reading transforms the interpretation of the purity laws. The pig and other forbidden animals are not abhorrent, they command the same respect due to all God's creatures. Boldly challenging several traditions of Bible criticism, Mary Douglas claims that Leviticus is not the narrow doctrine of a crabbed professional priesthood but a powerful intellectual statement about a modern religion which emphasizes God's justice and compassion.
Liked Leviticus as Literature? Here’s where I’d start.
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The Bible and the Believer: How to Read the Bible Critically and Religiously Shares religion, biblical studies, theology
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The Art of Biblical Narrative Shares biblical studies, religion, theology -
The Wisdom Books: Job, Proverbs, and Ecclesiastes Shares religion, biblical studies, theology -
Reversing Hermon: Enoch, the Watchers, and the Forgotten Mission of Jesus Christ Shares biblical studies, religion, theology
“If you want more of the same (anthropology about religion), start with these.”
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Original Sin: A Biblical Theology of the Hebrew Bible
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Ritual: Perspectives and Dimensions
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Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews: A Jewish Life and the Emergence of Christianity
- The Old Testament Pseudepigrapha, Vol 2: Expansions of the Old Testament and Legends, Wisdom and Philosophical Literature, Prayers, Psalms and Odes, Fragments of Lost Judeo-Hellenistic Works
