In the Whirlwind

Burt (law, Yale Univ.) examines the relationship between God and human beings, first in the Hebrew and then in the Christian Bible. The final 75 pages of his text discuss the political relevance of the transformation of God and, to a lesser extent, human beings, as they struggle in relationship to one another, holding one another accountable for justice and for keeping commitments. Burt's interpretations of biblical narratives are sometimes unconventional, reflecting his own struggles with God as well as his close reading of biblical texts and the works of "bible as literature" scholars and other writers struggling with issues of justice and God. Although Burt treats Genesis as if its textual order were straightforwardly sequential as opposed to a combination of several different narrative traditions, he nevertheless provides much interpretation that repays careful attention. The parallels he draws between biblical struggles and contemporary political issues show how ancient texts can be both foundational and consistently relevant in contemporary society.