Maria Francis
asked:
What is the significance of the titles of the two sections and the epigraphs that precede the book?
To answer questions about
The Fire Next Time,
please sign up.
Kristin
If you are referring to the quote regarding Noah and the rainbow, it's quite an interest twist on the story. The story of the flood is found in Genesis 6. God finds abundant corruption in his creation and decides to destroy man, but saves Noah, his family and part of his creation through the building of the Ark. When the floods finally subsided, God showed Noah the rainbow and told him it would be a sign of his covenant with Noah that no such flood would ever happen again. Baldwin quotes the words of a slave song who re-created the story to read "God gave Noah the rainbow sign. No more water. The fire next time." I take it to mean that we dismiss ongoing corruption and oppression in our society at our peril. What do you think?
Cimone Watson
I haven't read the book, but based on what Kristin said: The Bible says that God has promised there won't be another flood, and that the next time destruction comes, it will be by fire.
"They deliberately forget that God made the heavens long ago by the word of his command, and he brought the earth out from the water and surrounded it with water.
Then he used the water to destroy the ancient world with a mighty flood.
And by the same word, the present heavens and earth have been stored up for fire. They are being kept for the day of judgment, when ungodly people will be destroyed." -- 2 Peter 3:5-7
"They deliberately forget that God made the heavens long ago by the word of his command, and he brought the earth out from the water and surrounded it with water.
Then he used the water to destroy the ancient world with a mighty flood.
And by the same word, the present heavens and earth have been stored up for fire. They are being kept for the day of judgment, when ungodly people will be destroyed." -- 2 Peter 3:5-7
About Goodreads Q&A
Ask and answer questions about books!
You can pose questions to the Goodreads community with Reader Q&A, or ask your favorite author a question with Ask the Author.
See Featured Authors Answering Questions
Learn more