Holy Imagination: A Literary and Theological Introduction to the Whole Bible

by Judy Fentress-Williams

The many voices in scripture form a dialogue with readers, which produce theological truths that are larger than the individual parts. This introduction is informed by both literary theory and theology. It groups sections of the whole Bible together by genre. Each section identifies and describes the genre (such as historiography, poetry, prophecy, gospel, letter, apocalypse), and then moves into a discussion about the literary characteristics and theological insights.The words of scripture not only come a long way to find us but like a poem must be read with attention. Poetry doesn’t yield meaning easily, and it doesn’t promise to make sense. We know to look past the words on the page and find the images, tropes, sounds, and metaphors that are meaning-full. This type of writing invites, rather demands, the imagination. We must accept that we will only get so close, but that this is close enough. Our imagination spans the gaps left by sparse language and incomplete narratives. We return again and again, with more information and perhaps more experiences. The words are the same, but we are not; and for that reason there are always new discoveries.“At last, an introduction that students will enjoy reading, because it is at once engaging, informative, and eye-opening, as well as completely lucid. Fentress Williams shows how many books of the Bible reflect the experience of marginalized persons and communities in precarious situations, and therefore how they speak in ways both realistic and encouraging to contemporary readers. Do your students and yourself a adopt this text and get ready for serious conversation about ancient texts that never go out of date.”– Ellen F. Davis, Amos Ragan Kearns Distinguished Professor of Bible and Practical Theology, Duke Divinity School

404 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 3, 2021

Reviews

[Janet Mahlum · Rating 4 out of 5]

Certainly a 4+ but not a 5. My book club read this and read the Bible along with it. Our main complaint was we wanted more. We all enjoyed what she had to say and all learned a thing or two. One of the things several of us commented on was she cited references that we already had and knew were good, unlike another author I had to read in Education for Ministry that made outrageous statements with no source quoted. This would be a very good book for someone who has never read the Bible. Read the author's comments. If your interest is peaked, read that book in the Bible, otherwise, go on to the next book. This is a very good introduction to the Bible and a very good place to start.

[Jenny · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Safe Book for Church Discussion Groups

This is very accessible, tackling complicated texts in a way that is easily understood and makes for good discussion. Except in parts where it kinda aimed for neutrality.

For example, the language used on the section on the interpretation of Leviticus was deliberately opaque. Our group had to read it several times before people caught that she’d buried her interpretation in 1-2 lines only on what it was saying about homosexuality. This, this felt like an author choosing to avoid being political rather than taking an opportunity to correct misinformation.

[Renita Weems · Rating 5 out of 5]

Students thank me for assigning Fentress-Williams textbook and for pairing it with other more traditionally historically focused textbooks for the semester. Fentress-Williams deftly employs literary and theological methods to offer fresh, nuanced, engaging insights into biblical material. Readers are drawn into the language and theological world of biblical poetry and narrative, instead of being left feeling overwhelmingly estranged from the bible as sometimes can happen when reading introductions to the bible written by historians. Fentress-Williams' biblical scholarship kindles and rekindles our appreciation for the ancient world, for ancient faith, and for living stories.

[Travious Mitchell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dr. Judy offers a thorough, in-depth, and engaging look at each book of the Bible. She is an outstanding teacher and preacher and this book highlights her expertise in the field of not only biblical studies, but theology as well. This book deserves to be on someone’s bookshelf and under the required texts for seminary courses all throughout the world

[Ftkinard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent overview of Bible from a fresh feminist perspective. Encouraged to examine the voice of each speaker.