What do you think?
Rate this book
Original Sinners: Why Genesis Still Matters
In this vivid, original interpretation of Genesis, former Episcopal priest John R. Coats takes readers on a journey through the ancient text, inviting them to see its characters in a new light, not as religious icons, but as people whose day-to-day concerns, triumphs, and failures are like our own.
In Coats’s telling, the relationships of Cain and Abel, Jacob and Esau, Rachel and Leah, and Joseph and his brothers take on stunning contemporary relevance as these characters find themselves confronted with extraordinary situations and circumstances that they’d neither asked for nor had anything to say about. Using stories from his life as well as the lives of people he’s known, Coats creates a rubric you can use to examine your own life and to discover aspects of yourself in the characters whose lives unfold in these primordial stories. How has Eve’s story shaped yours? Is your life reflected in Jacob’s evolution to wisdom? In Joseph’s youthful arrogance? Coats explores the strengths and weaknesses of the men and women in Genesis, pulling back the wrappings that have hidden their humanity to reveal the vibrant drama of these foundational narratives. "Different clothing, yes, and language, and customs, yet at the human level," he writes, "they were just as greedy and generous as we are, as gullible and crafty, as moronic and brilliant, as cowardly and brave. They are us, their stories, our stories, mirrors in which to see our best and worst selves."
In Coats’s telling, the relationships of Cain and Abel, Jacob and Esau, Rachel and Leah, and Joseph and his brothers take on stunning contemporary relevance as these characters find themselves confronted with extraordinary situations and circumstances that they’d neither asked for nor had anything to say about. Using stories from his life as well as the lives of people he’s known, Coats creates a rubric you can use to examine your own life and to discover aspects of yourself in the characters whose lives unfold in these primordial stories. How has Eve’s story shaped yours? Is your life reflected in Jacob’s evolution to wisdom? In Joseph’s youthful arrogance? Coats explores the strengths and weaknesses of the men and women in Genesis, pulling back the wrappings that have hidden their humanity to reveal the vibrant drama of these foundational narratives. "Different clothing, yes, and language, and customs, yet at the human level," he writes, "they were just as greedy and generous as we are, as gullible and crafty, as moronic and brilliant, as cowardly and brave. They are us, their stories, our stories, mirrors in which to see our best and worst selves."
256 pages, Paperback
First published November 17, 2009
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
November 11, 2024
Original Sinners: Why Genesis Still Matters by John R. Coats offers a fresh exploration of the Book of Genesis, approaching its ancient stories with a modern lens. Coats, a former Episcopal priest, reframes biblical figures not as distant icons but as relatable individuals grappling with the same human complexities we face today.
Through the stories of Cain and Abel, Jacob and Esau, Rachel and Leah, and Joseph and his brothers, Coats reveals the timeless relevance of these characters’ experiences. He draws from his own life and the lives of people he’s encountered to show readers how to find aspects of themselves in these ancient tales. Coats invites readers to ask, for example, how Eve's story might mirror their own or what Joseph's youthful arrogance might reveal about personal growth.
By uncovering the relatable humanity in each figure, Coats highlights the strengths and flaws shared across time, painting Genesis as a mirror that reflects both the best and worst aspects of human nature. In a blend of theology and introspection, Original Sinners encourages readers to view these foundational narratives as a way to better understand themselves and their relationships with others.
Through the stories of Cain and Abel, Jacob and Esau, Rachel and Leah, and Joseph and his brothers, Coats reveals the timeless relevance of these characters’ experiences. He draws from his own life and the lives of people he’s encountered to show readers how to find aspects of themselves in these ancient tales. Coats invites readers to ask, for example, how Eve's story might mirror their own or what Joseph's youthful arrogance might reveal about personal growth.
By uncovering the relatable humanity in each figure, Coats highlights the strengths and flaws shared across time, painting Genesis as a mirror that reflects both the best and worst aspects of human nature. In a blend of theology and introspection, Original Sinners encourages readers to view these foundational narratives as a way to better understand themselves and their relationships with others.
June 27, 2013
In this vivid, original interpretation of Genesis, former Episcopal priest John R. Coats takes readers on a journey through the ancient text, inviting them to see its characters in a new light, not as religious icons, but as people whose day-to-day concerns, triumphs, and failures are like our own.
I love watching the History channel. On occasion, OK many occasions, they have biblical stories re-enacted and I am always enthralled when I watch it. Those people are just like us - the same hopes, dreams, and fears. It's a bit harder to understand that connection when reading the bible because of the way it is written. Of course, that is just my own personal opinion.
I need something to relate to. John Coats does that in Original Sinners. He takes the book of Genesis, it's characters and messages and brings them to THIS day. He uses stories from his own life to parable that in the book so that you can use that message to relate to YOUR life.
Sure, it's religion, but it's not All about the religion. It's about humanity, and choices and life. Mr. Coats writes in a seamless manner, that is easy to relate to and understand. Insightful and touching, Original Sinners is not to be missed.
I love watching the History channel. On occasion, OK many occasions, they have biblical stories re-enacted and I am always enthralled when I watch it. Those people are just like us - the same hopes, dreams, and fears. It's a bit harder to understand that connection when reading the bible because of the way it is written. Of course, that is just my own personal opinion.
I need something to relate to. John Coats does that in Original Sinners. He takes the book of Genesis, it's characters and messages and brings them to THIS day. He uses stories from his own life to parable that in the book so that you can use that message to relate to YOUR life.
Sure, it's religion, but it's not All about the religion. It's about humanity, and choices and life. Mr. Coats writes in a seamless manner, that is easy to relate to and understand. Insightful and touching, Original Sinners is not to be missed.
March 27, 2011
Read for Wed. maorning book study at Garden City United Methodist Church.
This was easy to read and filled with ideas of the stories behind the Biblical stories. We see the characters as real people and often not in a very nice way. They are the mirrors where we can see our best and worst selves.
This was easy to read and filled with ideas of the stories behind the Biblical stories. We see the characters as real people and often not in a very nice way. They are the mirrors where we can see our best and worst selves.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews