Opening Scripture provides a thorough and original account of ministerial and lay strategies for interpreting Scripture in the Massachusetts Bay. Demonstrating an impressive command of the vast literature and history of the period; Lisa Gordis moves deftly through discussions of major figures and events. This is a significant intervention in the study of Puritan New England.—Sandra M. Gustafson; University of Notre DameWhat role did the Bible really play in Puritan New England? Many have treated it as a blunt instrument used to cudgel dissenters into submission; but Lisa M. Gordis reveals instead that Puritan readings of the Bible showed great complexity and literary sophistication—so much complexity; in fact; that controversies over biblical interpretation threatened to tear Puritan society apart.Drawing on Puritan preaching manuals and sermons as well as the texts of early religious controversies; Gordis argues that Puritan ministers did not expect to impose their views on their congregations. Instead they believed that interpretive consensus would emerge from the process of reading the Bible; with the Holy Spirit assisting readers to understand God's will. Treating the conflict over Roger Williams; the Antinomian Controversy; and the reluctant compromises of the Halfway Covenant as symptoms of a crisis that was as much literary as it was social or spiritual; Opening Scripture explores the profound consequences of Puritan negotiations over biblical interpretation for New England's literature and history.
#512552 in Books Jean Bottero 2004-09-01 2001-06-01Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 9.00 x .90 x 6.00l; .80 #File Name: 0226067181260 pagesReligion in Ancient Mesopotamia
Review
16 of 16 people found the following review helpful. Empathetic; experiential; but factualBy ArtemesiaThere are several excellent reviews of this book (although one review posted here appears to be of Black and Green's "Illustrated Dictionary: Gods; Demons and Symbols of Ancient Mesopotamia" - another excellent but very different book). Nevertheless; I thought I'd add my two cents worth. This book is very verbally descriptive and packed with facts by an expert. The facts are embedded in the text mostly; there isn't much "at-a-glance" information. However; when you get into the text; it is extremely worthwhile - clear; beautifully written; informative; packed with information; but factual. The author clearly has a deep empathy and understanding of the worldview of this most ancient of cultures (even though he obviously is himself from and assumes his reader is from a Judeo-Christian worldview); and through his elegant writing he is able to transport the reader into that world. In the final analysis; there aren't many academics who can do this. Many books either venture into the fantastic or too far into speculation on the one hand; or on the other hand refuse to enter into the experience the facts present leaving the reader with a dry summary. This book manages to remain with the factual while transporting the reader into the experience.For those who know either of the extremely ancient languages of Mesopotamia; throughout; both Sumerian and Akkadian names are given for various deities; priesthoods; religious elements etc. The book is not a compendium of myths or texts although the most important myths are explained and used to situate cosmology with relation to the religion. Also; quite a number of samplings of texts (in English) are given which enable the reader to experience firsthand through example the principle being illustrated by the author. Chapter 6 p152 gives the standardized Mesopotamian calendar from which the ancient but later Hebrew calendar is partially derived. A few of the most important festivals are described with explication of what is known; what can be guessed at; what is unknown.If you like reading text; then this is a very good book and you will come to a good feeling for Mesopotamian religion backed up by facts. There is a respectable bibliography at the end and notes.7 of 7 people found the following review helpful. One of the Best Overviews!!By S. JohnsonAfter wading through a number of books on this topic that were rather rough and fragmented; this book was a delight. It begins with a nice thumbnail sketch of the history of the region. Unlike many books on the topic which seem to highlight the various myths and fragments of writings; this author creates an understandable framework within which the myths are hung. Having an overarching framework is key to understanding the myths; and hymns presented. It cleared up much confusion I had in reading other texts that presented the material in a fragmentary manner.1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. It seems a bit outdated now as today's scholars are ...By SatisfiedIt seems a bit outdated now as today's scholars are reticent about religion in ancient Mesopotamia. There is not enough evidence; but plenty of conjecture.
