Prophets as Performers: Biblical Performance Criticism and Israel's Prophets - Paperback

by Jeanette Mathews (Author)

The biblical prophets and Biblical Performance Criticism are brought together in three case studies (Elijah, Ezekiel, Jonah) presented as performances. This book proposes a new method of reading the biblical prophets with a threefold focus on creativity, commentary, and connections. With this method the many and varied performances of the prophets can be better appreciated. Critical analysis of the quintessentially performative nature of the prophets as embodied spokespersons for YHWH aids us in understanding and clarifying YHWH's message to audiences, situations, and communities of the past as well as engaging contemporary audiences.

Author Biography

Jeanette Mathews is Senior Lecturer in Biblical Studies (Old Testament) in the School of Theology of Charles Sturt University (CSU), based at St Mark's National Theological Centre in Canberra, Australia, and a research fellow in CSU's Public and Contextual Theology Research Centre. She is the author of Performing Habakkuk (Pickwick, 2012) and has edited a guide for new theological students titled God, By Degrees (2nd ed., 2019).