A fabulous new book has just been published by the Society of Biblical Literature (Semeia Studies Series), edited by Jione Havea, David J. Neville and Theology at Auckland’s very own Elaine Wainwright. The book, titled Bible, Borders, Belonging(s): Engaging Readings from Oceania, contains a series of essays by scholars from Oceania, including both Elaine Wainwright and also Auckland University Hebrew Bible lecturer, Nasili Vaka’uta. The book’s 14 essays discuss the impacts of natural disasters and political and ecological upheavals on biblical interpretation and theological reflection. They therefore open a new dialogue regarding the complex and ‘slippery’ nature of the Bible and the fluid meanings of borders (including borders of a text, thought, nation, community, or body) and belongings (to place, group, movement, and material and cultural possessions).
Below is a list of contributors and the titles of their contributions. Definitely a book to check out, I’m sure you will agree.
Essays
Jione Havea, Engaging Scriptures from Oceania
Elaine Wainwright, “Save Us! We Are Perishing!”: Reading Matthew 8:23–27 in the Face of Devastating Floods
David J. Neville, Calamity and the Biblical God—Borderline or Line of Belonging? Intratextual Tension in Luke 13
Kathleen P. Rushton, On the Crossroads between Life and Death: Reading Birth Imagery in John in the Earthquake-Changed Regions of Otautahi Christchurch
John Painter, The Prologue of John: Bridge into a New World
Ruth Sheridan, Jewish Readings of the Fourth Gospel: Beyond the Pale?
Merilyn Clark, Mapping the Boundaries of Belonging: Another Look at Jacob’s Story
Judith E. McKinlay, Slipping across Borders and Bordering on Conquest: A Contrapuntal Reading of Numbers 13
Nāsili Vaka‘uta, Border Crossing/Body Whoring: Rereading Rahab of Jericho with Native Women
Jeanette Mathews, Deuteronomy 30: Faithfulness in the Refugee Camps of Moab, Babylonia, and Beyond
Monica Jyotsna Melanchthon, Reading Rizpah across Borders, Cultures, Belongings … to India and Back
Jeffrey W. Aernie, Borderless Discipleship: The Syrophoenician Woman as a Christ-Follower in Mark 7:24–30
Jione Havea, Bare Feet Welcome: Redeemer Xs Moses @ Enaim
Gregory C. Jenks, The Sign of Jonah: Reading Jonah on the Boundaries and from the Boundaries
Responses
Michele A. Connolly, Gospel Maps: Intersections of Life
David M. Gunn, Breaking Bible Boundaries
Mark G. Brett, Bordering on Redemption
Book details
Bible, Borders, Belonging(s): Engaging Readings from Oceania, edited by Jione Havea, David J. Neville, and Elaine M. Wainwright. Semeia Series 75. Atlanta, GA: SBL, 2014. ISBN: 9781589839557 eISBN 9781589839571
Auckland Theology & Religious Studies 