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Genesis: The Story We Haven't Heard Paperback – July 25, 2001

by Paul Borgman (Author)
4.2 4.2 out of 5 stars 20 ratings
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Time after time choosing selfishness over selflessness, human beings invariably destroy themselves and wreck their societies. Only God can help, says Genesis. Yet God refuses to coerce. Instead he works with individual men and women who turn around--who stop trying to make a name for themselves and start trying to be a blessing to others. The transformation is slow and arduous. God waits. Captured in one of the world's best and best-known stories, this dynamic between God and recreated individuals leads from the universal chaos of Babel to blessing for all our world's peoples.Unfortunately, most of us overlook the dramatic story of God's work in early time because we read Scripture in disjointed pieces--and we think we've heard it all before! We miss the suspenseful, sweeping narrative of interconnected events. We miss the nuances of emotion and relationship between the characters. Now in Genesis: The Story We Haven't Heard Paul Borgman fits the pieces back together--revealing God's story as if it had never been read before.

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  1. Print length
    252 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    IVP Academic
  4. Publication date
    July 25, 2001
  5. Dimensions
    5.4 x 0.7 x 8.2 inches
  6. ISBN-10
    0830826556
  7. ISBN-13
    978-0830826551
  8. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

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As the story of Genesis itself, Borgman's Genesis: The Story We Haven't Heard is a marvelous blend of literary, theological and historical insights. The author encourages readers to go ahead and be bothered by the text of Genesis to their profit. Nothing worse than a complacent reader who already knows what the narrative recounts.

Borgman's study of the Genesis text is excellent. This book is brimming with insights and Genesis readers are truly in Borgman's debt for producing such a fine volume. Reading the narratives in Genesis will never be quite the same after reading, The Story We Haven't Heard.

Specialist and non-specialist readers alike will profit from this book. Written in a very accessible style and with clarity, Borgman moves the reader through the text of Genesis pointing out a diversity of new perspectives that often go missed in the larger commentaries. His major focus is on the narratives concerning Abraham and Sarah, Jacob and Esau, Leah and Rachel, and Joseph. The book comprises a select bibliography and useful subject, author, and Scripture indexes.

About the Author

Paul Borgman (PhD, University of Chicago) is professor of English at Gordon College in Wenham, Massachusetts, where he teaches world and American literatures as well as biblical literature. He has always been fascinated by story and has taught the Bible as literature for over three decades. After a detour into philosophy for his master's degree, his doctorate in stories and poetry led him to write three books of narrative analysis: Genesis, the Story We Haven't Heard, The Way According to Luke: the Whole Story of Luke-Acts and David, Saul, and God: Rediscovering an Ancient Story.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ IVP Academic; 0 edition (July 25, 2001)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 252 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0830826556
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0830826551
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 10.4 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.4 x 0.7 x 8.2 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.2 4.2 out of 5 stars 20 ratings

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Paul Borgman

Paul Borgman

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Website: www.paulborgman.net

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Borgman’s "Written to be Heard: Recovering the Messages of the Gospels" (with co-author Clark, March, 2019), includes a shortened version of his previously published "The Way According to Luke: Hearing the Whole Story of Luke-Acts" (Eerdmans, 2006). Prior narrative analyses of Genesis ("Genesis, the Story We Haven’t Heard," IVPress 2001) and the David story ("David, Saul, and God: Recovering an Ancient Masterpiece," Oxford, 2008) serve as backdrop for the gospels book, making up a major part of the biblical context which each of the gospels and Acts rely upon. All four studies are available through Amazon.

These four literary analyses uncover what ancient and mostly preliterate listeners would have heard told aloud. The author structured their narratives for the ear, a very differently thing from the fashioning of modern narratives. Big difference, which you who venture into any of these works will see.

One who saw is Yale Professor Emeritus Nicholas Wolterstorff, who concludes his Foreword to "Written to be Heard" with this response: “The experience of many readers will be, as was mine, that of scales falling from one’s eyes. So that’s the message of Matthew, of Mark, of Luke-Acts, of John!...Why didn’t someone write 'Written to be Heard long ago?'”

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Top reviews from the United States

  • Suzanne
    5.0 out of 5 stars A wonderful resource for your bible study
    Reviewed in the United States on November 5, 2015
    Verified Purchase
    A wonderful resource for your bible study. This book analyses Genesis from a literary perspective. Gives loads of insights into the language, culture and literary techniques that are in the original language. The author delights in the plays on words in the original Aramaic, and in opening your eyes to all the color of the early scriptures. I sure hope he tackles other books of the Bible too!
    One person found this helpful
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  • lifter
    5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
    Reviewed in the United States on March 25, 2017
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    good reading
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  • Nikolai Boyadjiev
    5.0 out of 5 stars a sheer pleasure? no! more!
    Reviewed in the United States on May 1, 2011
    I first read Borgman's book on David and Saul and God, and was taken by surprise! How come I didn't see so many revealing details? it was indeed a revelation. the whole of it!! so, what other books did you say this Paul Borgman has written? Ah! That one on Genesis? No it could not be as good, as the other one, you know Genesis, it's just... well, it's Genesis, you know! well, no! just let Paul Borgmann read it to you...

    I definitely know also what is my next reading... go on the search field of Amazon, yeah up there, type Paul Borgmann + Acts, there!
    One person found this helpful
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  • Knut Kåre Kirkholm
    5.0 out of 5 stars Great storytelling
    Reviewed in the United States on March 29, 2009
    Paul Borgman's book on Genesis is a great one. He manages to give the reader new perspectives on these old stories many have heard thousands of times before. Personally I have heard these stories since I was a kid. I have heard dozens of preachers using the story of Abraham, so I did think I knew the story quite well. But after having read Borgman's book, these stories have become as new.

    Especially I found it interesting how Borgman identifies a certain pattern or similarities between stories. Many of the narratives have parallell elements. Borgman is good reader and helps other readers to discover these parallell elements, let alone he helps us to discover when a certain pattern is broken, and how this affects how we should understand the story.

    It is a great book and I will recommend it to everybody!
    2 people found this helpful
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  • Zach Burgess
    4.0 out of 5 stars Well Supported but Repetitive
    Reviewed in the United States on January 6, 2013
    Verified Purchase
    Dr. Paul Borgman's Genesis: The Story We Haven't Heard presents a different, but wonderful, approach to reading the book of Genesis. Borgman's academic background is in the literary study of English works, and he applies his knowledge to the interpretation of Genesis. Throughout this work, he mentions many different literary techniques such as framing, repetition, and chiastic structures which aid in the interpretation of this ancient text.

    The strong points of this book include the range of theological scholarship, broad contextual consideration, and inclusion of alternative opinions. First, Borgman cites many theological works for every aspect of his book. In the "Selected Bibliography," at the end of the book, there are over sixty different references of works that Borgman consulted. This huge amount of research provides not only a reputable knowledge base, but the research also lends credibility to account for any perceived theological weaknesses that might come from Borgman's English teaching background. At first glance, it would appear that this book was just another "reader response" interpretation; however, Borgman successfully applies many different biblical and theological studies to support his reflections.
    Second, Borgman seeks to analyze the various Genesis stories with the consideration of the entire text and not just the immediate context. For example, in the introduction to this work, Borgman details several other scholars who take into consideration only the immediate context of the story of Abraham sacrificing his son Isaac (Gen 22). These scholars essentially conclude that God is all-powerful but also heartless. Borgman emphasizes the greater context and shows that "Without noting the pattern of (. . . ) prior visits between (God and Abraham), we will be lost when approaching God's request for the letting go of a son" (Borgman 13). Finally, throughout the book, Borgman addresses alternate opinions on conclusions that he draws. For example, in the commentary on Joseph's dealings with the Egyptians during the famine, Borgman mentions that many readers interpret Joseph's actions to be ruthless towards the Egyptians. At first, it appears that Joseph is taking advantage of the situation. However, Borgman denies this view and makes a case for Joseph's kind heart in this situation. These sorts of cases strengthen the work because by including the opinions of scholars that disagree with his conclusions he can show that he wrestled with the ideas presented by others, rather than remaining complacent in his own opinions.

    The weak points of this book include overuse of wearisome repetition and under emphasis on contextual chapters. First, this book is highly repetitive. For example, near the beginning and middle of the book, Borgman continually refers to his students and how they might interpret specific passages (Borgman 23-25, 85, 94, 96). Also, each chapter begins and ends with a one to three paragraph summary of content addressed previously as well as content to come. Another problem with this book is the sixteen pages reserved for the "primeval history" found in Genesis 1-11. Sixteen pages represents less than ten percent of the commentary section (Borgman 23-213), and for Borgman's methods, is not enough space to address these crucial, contextual chapters. For example, the whole section of the narrative involving the hereditary line of Seth is ignored (Gen 5). In contrast, the line of Cain (Gen 4) is mentioned to bring about the discussion of Lamech (Borgman 34). Borgman emphasizes several characters that lead up to the discussion of the patriarchs, but emphasizing the contextual information found in these chapters does not seem to be a priority for our author. This lack of contextual emphasis is quite contrary to Borgman's introductory statements of desire for wide contextual dealings.

    Borgman goes into great lengths to show that this book is in fact a great literary historical work whose stories all tie together. One thing that Borgman points out as evidence of unity in Genesis is the continuation of the "partnership with God" theme that is ruined by Adam and Eve, abused by the patriarchs, and finally comes to perfection at the end of the book with Joseph (Borgman 219-20). By following this theme through the whole of the book of Genesis, one can see the historical connection that is left for the reader to grasp. Similar to the unity of Genesis, Borgman brings to light the theological significance of Genesis, instead of merely the historical, by emphasizing God's interactions with and desires for His creation. For example, at the beginning of chapter 3, Borgman points out that God seeks to partner with Abraham toward a common goal of "blessing the whole earth." Abraham acts and behaves selfishly when God first interacts with him. Abraham uses his wife to protect himself twice before the lessons of God start to come to fruition. Borgman points out that throughout the book of Genesis, God always desires that His people come to realize a reorientation from their selfish ways (Borgman 219). These theological concepts show that Genesis is not just a Jewish historical narrative as it contains many significant theological themes.

    Paul Borgman's literary approach to the book of Genesis is well supported and interesting to read. He breaks through the "bits and pieces" interpretation that the first book of the Bible has long been subjected to. He then engages in enlightening commentary that emphasizes God's work throughout the unity of Genesis. The Story We Haven't Heard is a fresh and in depth look at the divine partnerships contained within the the book of Genesis.
    10 people found this helpful
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  • Dr. Gregory Laughery
    5.0 out of 5 stars Genesis:The Story We Haven't Heard
    Reviewed in the United States on December 4, 2001
    Genesis: The Story We Haven't Heard by Paul Borgman, IVP, 2001.
    As the story of Genesis itself, Borgman's Genesis: The Story We Haven't Heard is a marvelous blend of literary, theological and historical insights. The author encourages readers to go ahead and be bothered by the text of Genesis to their profit. Nothing worse than a complacent reader who already knows what the narrative recounts.
    Borgman's study of the Genesis text is excellent. This book is brimming with insights and Genesis readers are truly in Borgman's debt for producing such a fine volume. Reading the narratives in Genesis will never be quite the same after reading, The Story We Haven't Heard.
    Specialist and non-specialist readers alike will profit from this book. Written in a very accessible style and with clarity, Borgman moves the reader through the text of Genesis pointing out a diversity of new perspectives that often go missed in the larger commentaries. His major focus is on the narratives concerning Abraham and Sarah, Jacob and Esau / Leah and Rachel, and Joseph. The book comprises a select bibliography and useful subject, author, and Scripture indexes.
    Dr. G. Laughery
    15 people found this helpful
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  • David I. Smith
    5.0 out of 5 stars Very thought-provoking
    Reviewed in the United States on October 5, 2005
    This is one of the best books I have read lately, taking over-familiar Bible stories and reading them with a close attentiveness to the actual text that yields fresh and fascinating perspectives. It's a pleasure to read a book that so often makes me go "Hmm, I hadn't thought of that, but it could make sense - must think about it some more." The book is also very readable - well-written and absorbing. Highly recommended.
    8 people found this helpful
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  • Kelly B
    5.0 out of 5 stars The heart of the matter
    Reviewed in the United States on November 14, 2002
    Paul Borgman gets to the heart of the Genesis matter in Genesis: The Story We Haven't Heard. Through an absorbing analysis of the Biblical narrative, Borgman shows us that Genesis reveals truth in the way that all great literature reveals truth: through relationships. And what he keeps coming back to is that the most compelling story at the heart of Genesis is the relationship between God and His people, a story of partnership, parting, reconciliation, and--ultimately--love.
    8 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

  • Imraky
    2.0 out of 5 stars Very faint print
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on May 27, 2020
    Verified Purchase
    This book was published by InterVarsity Press in Illinois ('Evangelically Rooted. Critically Engaged'). I bought it for my wife. The print is ridiculously faint and it's a strain to read. Looks like they were economising on ink.
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