Overview

Can myths be true? Hiding behind their unreality is often deep meaning waiting to be uncovered. This book explores four myths first found on the margins of Israel's faith. Over time these myths became major resources for understanding and articulating faith. They began as stories of wicked angels, kings claiming to be gods, and women whom men should fear. They then developed to become sources of deep insight. They helped open up our understanding of sin and suffering, of Christ as servant king, and of the Word and Wisdom of God incarnate. Like imaginative works of art, which can communicate truth in ways that photographs cannot, these myths adorn the halls of faith and invite wonder and engagement.

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9781666735840

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This is a great book. From the myths of the wicked angels in the book of Genesis to the various myths associated with the Messiah in the New Testament, the author not only makes sense of myths but also critically engages with them, while using both biblical and other ancient Jewish and Christian sources in accessible translations. Warmly recommended for a broad audience. --Gerbern Oegema, McGill University The German playwright and poet Berthold Brecht . . . described the Bible as 'a collection of exciting stories, intergenerational conflicts, murders and killings, and at its height the Song of Songs, a love song.' Bill Loader writes about some of these exciting ancient stories. They raise questions fundamental to human existence, and he demonstrates wonderfully how relevant these old stories are for us today. --Wolfgang Kraus, Saarland University What is at stake in Jewish and Christian mythmaking? This outstanding book provides a compact and lucid source-based overview of the four basic Jewish myths that formed Christianity. Updating Rudolf Bultmann's existential interpretation of biblical myth, Bill Loader explains excellently its meaning and relevance for contemporary readers in multicultural societies. Any reader of this brilliant book will perceive the Bible and Christian tradition anew. --Angela Standhartinger, Marburg University Bill Loader deftly unpacks several stories that shaped the religious imagination of the Christian tradition. . . . He concludes with an honest appraisal of what rational people of the twenty-first century might make of these ancient myths. This work of a distinguished scholar of Christian origins makes readily available enormous learning and insight and offers a delightful read. --Harold W. Attridge, Yale University The often-strange world of ancient biblical myths and narratives is explained here in an academically informed way as narratives of meaning and translated into contemporary contexts. The relevance of these traditions for today is convincingly demonstrated. This is a must-read for all who are interested in these fascinating stories and their relevance for today. --Kathy Ehrensperger, Potsdam University

This is a great book. From the myths of the wicked angels in the book of Genesis to the various myths associated with the Messiah in the New Testament, the author not only makes sense of myths but also critically engages with them, while using both biblical and other ancient Jewish and Christian sources in accessible translations. Warmly recommended for a broad audience. --Gerbern Oegema, McGill University The German playwright and poet Berthold Brecht . . . described the Bible as 'a collection of exciting stories, intergenerational conflicts, murders and killings, and at its height the Song of Songs, a love song.' Bill Loader writes about some of these exciting ancient stories. They raise questions fundamental to human existence, and he demonstrates wonderfully how relevant these old stories are for us today. --Wolfgang Kraus, Saarland University What is at stake in Jewish and Christian mythmaking? This outstanding book provides a compact and lucid source-based overview of the four basic Jewish myths that formed Christianity. Updating Rudolf Bultmann's existential interpretation of biblical myth, Bill Loader explains excellently its meaning and relevance for contemporary readers in multicultural societies. Any reader of this brilliant book will perceive the Bible and Christian tradition anew. --Angela Standhartinger, Marburg University Bill Loader deftly unpacks several stories that shaped the religious imagination of the Christian tradition. . . . He concludes with an honest appraisal of what rational people of the twenty-first century might make of these ancient myths. This work of a distinguished scholar of Christian origins makes readily available enormous learning and insight and offers a delightful read. --Harold W. Attridge, Yale University The often-strange world of ancient biblical myths and narratives is explained here in an academically informed way as narratives of meaning and translated into contemporary contexts. The relevance of these traditions for today is convincingly demonstrated. This is a must-read for all who are interested in these fascinating stories and their relevance for today. --Kathy Ehrensperger, Potsdam University

Author Information

William Loader, Professor of New Testament Emeritus at Murdoch University (Perth, Australia) and a Minister of the Uniting Church in Australia, is the author or editor of many books, including Sexuality and Gender (2021), What Can Love Hope For? (Cascade Books, 2020), and Jesus in John's Gospel (2017).

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