The Peoples' Companion to the Bible

by Curtiss Paul DeYoung (Editor), George E. Tinker (Editor), Wilda C. Gafney (Editor)

Building on the enthusiastic reception of and critical acclaim for The Peoples' Bible , hailed as "a rich resource" (Elisabeth Schssler Fiorenza) that "will empower people to reclaim the Bible as a multicultural, dialogical, and living tradition" (Kwok Pui-lan), this colorful and engaging biblical textbook brings those same new perspectives in biblical studies to the college classroom. Highlighting the role of cultures in both the development of the Bible and in its subsequent reception around the world, The Peoples' Companion to the Bible enables students to see how social location has figured in the ways particular peoples have understood the biblical text and helps students formulate their own social location as a key to understanding the Bible and its import for them. The groundbreaking articles from The Peoples' Bible are all here, including "Culture and Identity"; "The Bible as a Text of Cultures" and "The Bible as a Text in Cultures"; "Jesus and Cultures"; "The Bible as an Instrument of Reconciliation"; "The Bible and Empire"; "Women, Culture, and the Bible"; and "Responsible Christian Exegesis of Hebrew Scripture," along with new essays designed for the classroom, including a Bible Reader's Self-Inventory; introductory essays on the Hebrew Bible and New Testament; and an essay on understanding the biblical theme of "the people of God" in a multicultural world.

Genres: Theology, Spirituality, Religion, Christianity

320 pages, Paperback

First published May 1, 2010

About the author

Rev. Dr. Curtiss Paul DeYoung is a racial justice academic, author, and activist. He served as the Co-CEO of the Minnesota Council of Churches (MCC)—an ecumenical council of 27-member denominational communions from Historic Black, Mainline Protestant, Pentecostal, Peace, and Greek Orthodox churches. MCC has programs in racial justice, refugee services, and interfaith relations. DeYoung previously served as the Executive Director of the historic faith-based racial justice organization Community Renewal Society in Chicago, IL with its unique programmatic combination of church-based community organizing, policy advocacy, and investigative journalism.

Dr. DeYoung was the inaugural Professor of Reconciliation Studies and Co-chair of the Department of Anthropology, Sociology, and Reconciliation Studies at Bethel University in St. Paul, MN. He served as an adjunct professor at McCormick Theological Seminary in Chicago, IL.

Rev. DeYoung served on staff at congregations in Minneapolis, New York City, and Washington, DC. He is an ordained minister in the Church of God (Anderson, IN). He consults and speaks nationally and internationally with extensive relationships among activists and peacemakers across the United States and in South Africa and the Holy Land.

Reviews

[Stephanie Kendell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Quick read, comprehensive information, accessible. This book is a staple in my exegetical practices.