For the Love of God: The Bible as an Open Book (Hardcover)

~ Alicia S. Ostriker (Author)
Key Phrases: Song of Songs, Book of Ruth, Holy One (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Against popular misconceptions of the Bible as a `book' that is the dependable repository of supposedly biblical values, Alicia Ostriker vividly unfolds the strong and at times startling differences of outlook of different biblical texts. She writes with the sensitivity of a poet, unafraid to argue with Scripture yet keenly responsive to what there is to discover in it." -- Robert Alter, editor of The Five Books of Moses: A Translation with Commentary

"In For the Love of God: The Bible as an Open Book, Alicia Ostriker tears away the encrusted interpretations of the Hebrew Bible and reveals new ones that restore its mythic power and vision." -- Howard Schwartz, author of Tree of Souls: The Mythology of Judaism

"No one who reads this amazing, brilliantly written book will ever read the Bible the same way again." -- Elaine Pagels, Professor of Religion at Princeton University

"The perfect antidote to fundamentalist readings of the Bible, For the Love of God artfully conveys the multiple meanings that can be gleaned from biblical texts." -- Judith Plaskow, author of Standing Again at Sinai: Judaism from a Feminist Perspective

Review

"The perfect antidote to fundamentalist readings of the Bible, For the Love of God artfully conveys the multiple meanings that can be gleaned from biblical texts."
Judith Plaskow, author of Standing Again at Sinai: Judaism from a Feminist Perspective

"No one who reads this amazing, brilliantly written book will ever read the Bible the same way again."
Elaine Pagels, professor of religion, Princeton University

"Against popular misconceptions of the Bible as a 'book' that is the dependable repository of supposedly biblical values, Alicia Ostriker vividly unfolds the strong and at times startling differences of outlook of different biblical texts. She writes with the sensitivity of a poet, unafraid to argue with Scripture yet keenly responsive to what there is to discover in it."
Robert Alter, editor of The Five Books of Moses: A Translation with Commentary

“Through prose that is deeply poetic and critically compelling, in For the Love of God Alicia Suskin Ostriker takes quite seriously the Talmudic assertion that ‘there is always another interpretation’...offering provocative and insightful re-interpretations of six fundamental biblical texts.”
Shofar

“This slim volume is simply exquisite, erudite, and inspiring. Essential.”
Choice --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 184 pages
• Publisher: Rutgers University Press (September 11, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0813542006
• ISBN-13: 978-0813542003
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.8 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #631,003 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4.0 out of 5 stars The Bible as an open book, June 1, 2009

By	R. MCCREARY "Ron McCreary" (Tallahassee, FL) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I enjoyed Ostriker's book and was challenged by it. I'd recommend it for anyone with an open mind whose faith is strong. On the other hand those who think the Bible is either dull or overly violent might find a new and interesting perspective here. And those who find themselves on the margin of common church theology may well find it refreshing. As a result of reading it I've taken up Ecclesiastes for my devotional reading.