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Preface

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  05 June 2012

R. W. L. Moberly
Affiliation:
University of Durham
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Summary

When I began seriously to think about the writing of this book, two things struck me. Neither was new, but each struck me with fresh force, in the kind of way that changed my thinking and so also my writing.

First, of all the books in the Old Testament, Genesis is probably the most appealed-to and most used in contemporary discussion. To cite a few examples, the biblical portrayal of creation, and the contemporary phenomenon of creationism, feature regularly in “science and religion” debates, such that the question of what to make of the first few chapters of Genesis remains a live issue. Global warming is directing enormous attention to our understanding of, and appropriate interaction with, the environment; in such a context, the implications of the divine mandate to humanity to “have dominion” over the earth, and what kind of stewardship is envisioned, becomes important in a way that it was not a hundred years ago. Greater population mobility raises issues about the interrelationship of different religious traditions, such that interfaith dialogue is increasingly on the agenda of those to whom faith is important; and dialogue among Jews, Christians, and Muslims regularly appeals to Abraham as some kind of “ecumenical” figure, who may represent common ground among the dialogue partners. Millions of Americans believe that the United States of America should support the state of Israel because of God's promise in Genesis to bless those who bless Abraham and his descendants.

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Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 2009

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  • Preface
  • R. W. L. Moberly, University of Durham
  • Book: The Theology of the Book of Genesis
  • Online publication: 05 June 2012
  • Chapter DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9780511626937.002
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  • Preface
  • R. W. L. Moberly, University of Durham
  • Book: The Theology of the Book of Genesis
  • Online publication: 05 June 2012
  • Chapter DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9780511626937.002
Available formats
×

Save book to Google Drive

To save content items to your account, please confirm that you agree to abide by our usage policies. If this is the first time you use this feature, you will be asked to authorise Cambridge Core to connect with your account. Find out more about saving content to Google Drive.

  • Preface
  • R. W. L. Moberly, University of Durham
  • Book: The Theology of the Book of Genesis
  • Online publication: 05 June 2012
  • Chapter DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9780511626937.002
Available formats
×