Chosen Peoples: The Bible, Race and Empire in the Long Nineteenth Century

Chosen Peoples explores how biblical themes, ideas, and metaphors shaped racial, national, and imperial identities in the long nineteenth century, challenging and appropriating biblical narratives to resist slavery, colonialism, and the missionary project.

\n Format: Paperback / softback
\n Length: 240 pages
\n Publication date: 07 September 2021
\n Publisher: Manchester University Press
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Chosen Peoples explores the profound impact of biblical themes, ideas, and metaphors on the formation of racial, national, and imperial identities throughout the long nineteenth century. Despite the emergence of radical new perspectives that questioned the historical authenticity of the Bible, biblical notions of lineage, descent, and inheritance remained influential in shaping perceptions of race, nation, and empire. European settler movements, for instance, portrayed newly discovered territories across the seas as "lands of Canaan," drawing upon biblical narratives to legitimize their conquests. However, not all colonized and conquered peoples readily accepted the imposition of biblical narratives. Instead, they repurposed biblical tropes to suit their own purposes, adding a unique dimension to the study of slavery, colonialism, and the missionary project.

Through these innovative case studies, Chosen Peoples sheds new light on familiar topics such as slavery, colonialism, and the missionary endeavor. It also fosters exciting cross-comparisons between race, identity, and the politics of biblical translation and interpretation in South Africa, Egypt, Australia, America, and Ireland. By delving into the intricate interplay between religion, culture, and power, this book offers a fresh perspective on the complex and multifaceted history of the nineteenth century.

In conclusion, Chosen Peoples is a groundbreaking work that sheds light on the enduring influence of biblical narratives on the formation of racial, national, and imperial identities. It provides valuable insights into the complex relationships between religion, culture, and power and offers a rich tapestry of case studies that will engage scholars and students alike.

\n Weight: 388g\n
Dimension: 156 x 234 x 18 (mm)\n
ISBN-13: 9781526160201\n \n