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55 of 66 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
The Bible as a Novel - NOT, December 24, 2003
I read the book because I enjoy comparing different translations of the Bible, but way too many liberties are taken with the Bible narrative to qualify for the sub-title THE BIBLE AS A NOVEL. It has some good points - it flows well, and reads easily. Certain Bible stories are brought to life and fleshed out, with a good feel for the climate, topography and geography of the Bible lands. But when you read it, have a literal translation of the Bible handy, along with a comprehensive concordance, and a good Bible encyclopedia. Inexplicably, the book skips some of the great Bible stories altogether. The "sons of God" who fathered the Nephilim, precipitating the flood - not mentioned. The account of Esther - nope. Nor Naaman. Nor Job. Nor Jonah. Shadrach, Meschach and Abedndgo are on leave. Daniel in the lion's den - a no show. The handwriting on Belshazzar's wall - erased. The account of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram was apparently devoured by the editor's fire. Dinah's unfortunate incident with Shechem - not there. Nabal's rude rebuke and Abigail's averting of disaster are not mentioned. Gone is the account of a handful of David's mighty men risking their lives to boldly enter a Philistine stronghold just to get David a drink of water, and him refusing it, so angry was he at their cavalier disregard for the sanctity of human life - their own! Of course, to put the story in novel format, there would necessarily have to be some interpolation. But the author's creativity leaves a lot of the accounts sounding very different from the Bible version. Esau's relinquishing of his birthright isn't caused by a lack of appreciation for spiritual things, its just that Jacob is a fast-talker, like a used-car salesman, bilking him as he hovers near death-by-starvation. In the account of Uzzah's irreverent handling of the ark of the covenant, which cost him his life, now we find the whole affair resulting from a mis-step in some ox doo-doo. You won't find that detail in any Bible I'm aware of. After Tamar is raped by Amnon, she falls in romantic love with another half-brother, Solomon! Again, what Bible is that in? In fact, Wangerin has Tamar uttering words of the Shulemite maiden (of the Song of Solomon) - but she's pining, unrequited, for King Solomon's love! His Jews are prescient, viewing the divine name as "ineffable", following a tradition a thousand years before it's development. They speak to God in antiquated language, an affected formalism not present in any of the original Bible accounts. In the account of Jesus' conception, Joseph is a widower before he weds the virgin Mary, and old enough to be her father. When Mary takes off to visit her relative Elizabeth for some 3 months, her parents at first assume she's shacking up with Joseph, who is remodeling their house. Zechariah, the father of John the Baptist, makes nails for a living, works on the Sabbath, and dutifully fulfills an order for some crucifixion spikes for Herod to hang his sons with! Here is a Jesus who, like the pagan Romans, shaves his beard! (Wouldn't this be unlikely for any Jewish man in the first century, other than in times of mourning?). When he heals a man, he yells at him angrily not to tell anyone. This Jesus doesn't base his teachings on the Bible, but makes up his own teachings! A disciple (Andrew) weeps in sorrow when chosen to be an apostle, viewing the privilege as a death sentence! Most egregious is the lack of the dynamic Kingdom message - Wangerin's Good News is just about repentence and forgiveness, the Kingdom of God, such a dominant theme in Jesus' teachings, is only barely mentioned in passing. Judas is a good guy - his betrayal of Jesus is motivated by an altruistic urge to force Jesus' hand to accept his messianic political calling! Herod's role in the trial of Jesus is completely left out. The night-time kangaroo court at Caiphas' house, rife with perjury, and the ensuing hearing before Pilate, where threats of mob violence and slander are used to extort an illegitimate and unwarranted judgement - all of this is declared perfectly legal. The account of Ananias and Saphira didn't make it in, apparently dying at the editor's transom. There were portions of the narrative I enjoyed very much. And if it stimulates interest in the Bible, I think that's great. But be forewarned - proceed with caution: the Bible it isn't.
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by Walter Wangerin
by William P. Young
by Walter Wangerin Jr.
by Walter Wangerin
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