The Genius of Genesis: A Psychoanalyst and Rabbi Examines the First Book of the Bible

Rating:
Summary: Thank You, Dennis Shulman, for This Excellent Book
Review: A few weeks ago, I happened to hear Dennis Shulman interviewed about his book on National Public Radio, and I was so impressed with him and what he said that I immediately orderd his book. Shulman's book is an outstanding, comprehensive and loving analysis of the Book of Genesis. Although I have been reading these same Genesis stories for more than forty years, since my childhood, I now feel like I finally understand them. What's more, because of this wonderful book, these stories now speak to me. Shulman's book is a good read and a work of inspiration. Thank you, Dennis Shulman, for your book.

Rating:
Summary: An Outstanding Book About the Old Testament
Review: A graduate student of mine discovered, she said quite by accident, Dennis Shulman's Genius of Genesis on the Internet, and gave me a copy. I am very glad she did. This book is a well written, careful, respectful and I would even say loving analysis of the foundational stories of the Book of Genesis. It is an essential addition to any library devoted to the examination of the Bible, Old or New Testament.

Shulman writes with deep appreciation for complexity and with a tolerance for multiple understandings of the biblical texts, both of which are truly rare in contemporary books about religion. His breath of knowledge ranges from the traditional commentaries of the talmudic rabbis to those of St. Paul, John Calvin, John Wesley, Martin Luther, John Milton and even Mark Twain.

Although Shulman is a Jew, this book is quite appropriate for use in a classroom, like most of mine are, in which we study the Old Testament from a traditional Christian perspective.

As far as I can tell, this is Shulman's first book. I look forward to his future work on the Bible.

I recommend this book for any Christian who wants to gain a profound understanding of the first book of the Bible.

Rating:
Summary: Good Book
Review: This is a quick and wonderful read. For example, in Genesis, he points out that psychological transformation and the eventual recognition of moral and social responsibility are played out in a unique generational context from Abraham to Joseph. He makes this and other valid points that certainly take the bible away from simple "fundamentalist" interpretations.

For any observance level, Jewish or Christian I highly recommend this book. Its not boring. There are nuggets of insight and wisdom in every chapter.