Ecology of Scriptures: Experiences of Dwelling Behind Early Jewish and Christian Texts

Jolyon G. R. Pruszinski explores the experiences of domestic and quotidian space in early Jewish and Christian scriptures, using diverse sources to yield new interpretive possibilities. He argues that these experiences of loss, homelessness, imprisonment, and marginal dwelling influenced the authors' re-imagination and re-establishment of home, making them among the most important formative influences on the early Jewish and Christian literary imagination.

Format: Hardback
Length: 224 pages
Publication date: 22 April 2021
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC

In this comprehensive volume, Jolyon G. R. Pruszinski delves into the profound experiences of domestic and quotidian spaces that shaped the formation of numerous foundational early Jewish and Christian scriptures. Drawing upon a diverse range of sources, including modern psychological science, Gaston Bachelard's critical theories of domestic space, and Henri Lefebvre's insights into "spatial practice," Pruszinski employs analytical approaches to unravel the intricate tapestry of these texts. The outcome of this meticulous exploration of textual "ecology" or "home-logic" is an innovative reinterpretation of classic scriptures, unveiling exciting new interpretive possibilities for the Gospel of John, the undisputed Pauline letters, the Parables of Enoch, the Book of Revelation, the History of the Rechabites, and Augustine's De Trinitate. These texts, imbued with the echoes of loss, homelessness, imprisonment, and marginal dwelling, reflect the authors' profound struggles and efforts to re-imagine and re-establish a sense of home. Pruszinski compellingly demonstrates that while the most familiar experiences may often go unnoticed, they hold immense significance as formative influences on the early Jewish and Christian literary imagination. Through his meticulous scholarship, Pruszinski offers a fresh perspective on these ancient texts, shedding light on their enduring relevance and significance in the broader context of religious and cultural history.

Weight: 496g
Dimension: 164 x 242 x 19 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780567694942