The Return of the Chaos Monsters: And Other Backstories of the BibleGregory Mobley plunges beneath the Bible's surface to reveal its "backstories" -- the tales that constitute the backbone of the people Israel and of the body of Christ. Viewing the Bible as "essentially, relentlessly story," Mobley provides an easy-to-understand sevenpart thematic overview of the Bible that guides readers through the drama of the Hebrew Bible, highlighting the interconnectedness of biblical stories. Each story is a variation on a single theme -- the dynamic interplay between order and chaos. Intriguing Ancient Near Eastern myths, personal anecdotes, and popular cultural references from movies, musical theater, and writers ranging from Dr. Seuss to William Blake pepper the book throughout. Arresting chapter and section titles such as "It's Love That Makes the World Go 'Round" and "Lord Bezek's Big Toes" capture the imagination, and Mobley's own lyrical, energetic writing style -- exercised on vibrant biblical material -- propels the reader forward. Readers will find his enthusiasm contagious! |
Common terms and phrases
Abraham Ancient Israel angels apocalyptic backstory battle Bezek biblical scholar blueprint book of Job C. S. Lewis Canaanite cause and effect chaos monsters chapter Christian common era cosmic covenant created creation week culture Daniel David Deity divine anger divine speeches dragon earth Ecclesiastes Enuma Elish evil Exod Exodus faith Former Prophets Genesis God’s heaven Hebrew Bible hero Heschel human Isaiah Israel Israelite Jeremiah Jericho Jerusalem Jon Levenson Jonah Joshua Judah Judahite Kabbalah Ketuvim Kings Kugel land Latter Prophets Levenson Leviathan live Lord loyalty Fesed management of chaos means mercy mishpan moral cause Moses Muffs narrative NRSV Numbers oracle oral poem poetic justice priests primeval prophet Proverbs Psalms Psalter Rahab reality Religion religious righteous sacrifice as food Satan scrolls seven backstories spies story storytelling Tanakh temple Testament texts theology things Tiamat tion Torah turn shuv Walter Brueggemann Wisdom literature word