Overview

How the Bible Begins: A Sociological Study uses a Dramaturgical Approach, borrowed from Erving Goffman. This theatrical metaphor has readers imagining society like a play in five acts: Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy. The curtain goes up in Genesis to an empty, dark stage that, shortly afterwards, has its first performers appear--Adam, and then Eve. The foundation of this book rests on six fundamental questions which are answered within its pages: who, what, when, where, why, and how. Readers learn how many people populate each biblical book, each book's theme, when events took place, where action happened, what each book's purpose was, and how each book was composed. These books chronicled the passage of travelers who first departed Mesopotamia in search of the promised land, and later they left Egypt after four hundred years of slavery. Guided by God, these people formed a nation out of these epic journeys.

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9781725296893

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Reviews

"""How the Bible Begins offers a fresh investigation and understanding of the Bible. While theologians, historians, and countless rabbinical scholars have searched the Old Testament, and particularly the Pentateuch, for meaning and interpretations, John Heapes offers a fascinating new understanding of our social order and the Bible."" -Nancy Summers, Professor Emerita of History, Harrisburg Area Community College ""A very useful summary of the first five books of the Bible . . . a helpful reference source. This book is sure to spur discussion about the racism, sexism, and classism reflected in the biblical accounts."" -Gale Largey, Emeritus Professor of Sociology, Mansfield University of Pennsylvania ""As a lifelong Presbyterian, steeped in the stories and parables of the Bible from childhood on, I am not a Bible scholar as much as a student of the Bible. John Heapes brings to the Old Testament a new way of seeing the complexity of biblical societies, by showing us how people received rules from God in order to establish a social structure-not built on laws but on instruction. He asks the age-old question of all 'believers': Are we of the world, or in the world?"" ""Heapes has presented a unique viewpoint concerning the first five books of the Bible. The sociological perspective does not debate the existence of God but of the centuries-long evolution and construction of a people with shared religious and cultural beliefs and values. Whether by divine intervention or human intention, the story presented in the first five books of the Bible continues today. How the Bible Begins will be the basis for many future lively discussions with family and friends. I've very much enjoyed reading this book and hope others find it to be educational and enlightening."" -Ed McGovern, former deputy treasurer, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania"

"""How the Bible Begins offers a fresh investigation and understanding of the Bible. While theologians, historians, and countless rabbinical scholars have searched the Old Testament, and particularly the Pentateuch, for meaning and interpretations, John Heapes offers a fascinating new understanding of our social order and the Bible."" --Nancy Summers, Professor Emerita of History, Harrisburg Area Community College ""A very useful summary of the first five books of the Bible . . . a helpful reference source. This book is sure to spur discussion about the racism, sexism, and classism reflected in the biblical accounts."" --Gale Largey, Emeritus Professor of Sociology, Mansfield University of Pennsylvania ""As a lifelong Presbyterian, steeped in the stories and parables of the Bible from childhood on, I am not a Bible scholar as much as a student of the Bible. John Heapes brings to the Old Testament a new way of seeing the complexity of biblical societies, by showing us how people received rules from God in order to establish a social structure--not built on laws but on instruction. He asks the age-old question of all 'believers': Are we of the world, or in the world?"" ""Heapes has presented a unique viewpoint concerning the first five books of the Bible. The sociological perspective does not debate the existence of God but of the centuries-long evolution and construction of a people with shared religious and cultural beliefs and values. Whether by divine intervention or human intention, the story presented in the first five books of the Bible continues today. How the Bible Begins will be the basis for many future lively discussions with family and friends. I've very much enjoyed reading this book and hope others find it to be educational and enlightening."" --Ed McGovern, former deputy treasurer, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania"

How the Bible Begins offers a fresh investigation and understanding of the Bible. While theologians, historians, and countless rabbinical scholars have searched the Old Testament, and particularly the Pentateuch, for meaning and interpretations, John Heapes offers a fascinating new understanding of our social order and the Bible. --Nancy Summers, Professor Emerita of History, Harrisburg Area Community College A very useful summary of the first five books of the Bible . . . a helpful reference source. This book is sure to spur discussion about the racism, sexism, and classism reflected in the biblical accounts. --Gale Largey, Emeritus Professor of Sociology, Mansfield University of Pennsylvania As a lifelong Presbyterian, steeped in the stories and parables of the Bible from childhood on, I am not a Bible scholar as much as a student of the Bible. John Heapes brings to the Old Testament a new way of seeing the complexity of biblical societies, by showing us how people received rules from God in order to establish a social structure--not built on laws but on instruction. He asks the age-old question of all 'believers': Are we of the world, or in the world? --Mary Polson, elder, Presbyterian Church (USA) What really was going on 'in the beginning'? Incest, polygamy, vengeance, love, and more. In this straightforward analysis, John Heapes trains his sociological lens on the first five books of the Old Testament to lay the intriguing groundwork for many provocative conversations to come. Focusing on the development of social relationships and the foundations of social order, he shows why the Bible continues to mystify, confound, and inspire. --David Liu, Professor of Sociology and Director of the Honors Program, Harrisburg Area Community College

Author Information

John R. Heapes earned graduate degrees in sociology and social work and is a professor emeritus at HACC, Central Pennsylvania's Community College. His previous publication, Other Worlds: UFOs, Aliens, and the Afterlife, has been received by a broad audience. Heapes and his wife, Sheila, live in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.

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