Papers by Vanessa Lovelace
The appropriation by U.S.-American blacks of the Egyptian enslaved woman, Hagar, as she appears i... more The appropriation by U.S.-American blacks of the Egyptian enslaved woman, Hagar, as she appears in the book of Genesis, is epitomized in black art, literature, and cinema. Yet less familiar is the appropriation of Hagar by nineteenth-century, middle-class, white women novelists, who mostly lived during the antebellum Southern era. Their novels feature a dark, wild, female protagonist named Hagar who appears as a racially ambiguous woman. She is usually orphaned or abandoned, and she overcomes many obstacles and adversaries to fulfill her life’s purpose in the domestic sphere. Sometimes she is openly compared with the biblical Hagar, depicted as having African ancestry, and characterized as an untamed woman who is free of society’s gender constraints. Nineteenth-century domestic novels thus present stories about Hagar as a temporary escape for middle-class white women’s perceived enslavement to traditional gender expectations, as they experienced them in their individual lives. At the same time, the domestic novels disregard the experiences of nineteenth-century enslaved black women.
SBL Press eBooks, Oct 20, 2022
This essay considers the book of Jonah, the paradoxical figure for whom the book is named, its gl... more This essay considers the book of Jonah, the paradoxical figure for whom the book is named, its global narrative, themes and motifs, and contested issues. The article makes clear that while many readers believe that they know the story of Jonah, its storybook appearance belies its narrative complexity. Over the history of interpretation, the figure of Jonah son of Amittai has been regarded as both hero and antihero. Jonah is not called a prophet in the book. The book is written mostly in prose rather than poetry, and in contrast to other prophetic literature, it is a story about a prophet more than it is a prophetic text; thus, it could easily fit among the historical narratives or short stories in the Hebrew Bible. It remains a favorite among Jewish, Christian, and Muslim traditions, as well as and nonreligious audiences.
Biblical Interpretation, Aug 27, 2018
After an appreciation of Macintosh, the volume presents twenty-three essays in five parts: the la... more After an appreciation of Macintosh, the volume presents twenty-three essays in five parts: the language and literature of the Pentateuch, historical books, prophets, writings, and the themes and resonances of biblical language and literature (namely, in biblical and rabbinic literature). Although the content could easily have become too disparate, the high representation of Genesis, Hosea, and Psalms, and the theological leanings of many of the chapters give the volume some coherence. Part 3, on the prophets, is especially enjoyable, with contributions ranging from the late Edward Ball's fascinating literary and linguistic study of Nahum 2.2 to Diana Lipton's refreshing reading of Jeremiah through the lens of Shakespeare's Cymbeline. Although the volume is understandably skewed towards British scholarship, the wide range of texts represented and the prestige of the authors demonstrate the lasting reach of Macintosh's contribution to the field. This variety of interests represented in the volume, combined with the background knowledge required to fully appreciate its contents, mean this book is best suited to Hebrew Bible scholars and interested graduate students.
Biblical Interpretation, Feb 18, 2014
The Oxford Handbook of the Minor Prophets
This essay considers the book of Jonah, the paradoxical figure for whom the book is named, its gl... more This essay considers the book of Jonah, the paradoxical figure for whom the book is named, its global narrative, themes and motifs, and contested issues. The article makes clear that while many readers believe that they know the story of Jonah, its storybook appearance belies its narrative complexity. Over the history of interpretation, the figure of Jonah son of Amittai has been regarded as both hero and antihero. Jonah is not called a prophet in the book. The book is written mostly in prose rather than poetry, and in contrast to other prophetic literature, it is a story about a prophet more than it is a prophetic text; thus, it could easily fit among the historical narratives or short stories in the Hebrew Bible. It remains a favorite among Jewish, Christian, and Muslim traditions, as well as and nonreligious audiences.
Women and the Society of Biblical Literature, 2019
The Oxford Handbook of Feminist Approaches to the Hebrew Bible, 2020
The Oxford Handbook of Feminist Approaches to the Hebrew Bible brings together thirty-seven essen... more The Oxford Handbook of Feminist Approaches to the Hebrew Bible brings together thirty-seven essential essays written by leading international scholars, examining crucial points of analysis within the field of feminist Hebrew Bible studies. Organized into four major areas — globalization, neoliberalism, media, and intersectionality, the essays provide vibrant, relevant, and innovative contributions to the field. The topics of analysis focus heavily on gender and queer identity, with essays touching on African, Korean, and European feminist hermeneutics, womanist and interreligious readings, ecofeminist and animal biblical studies, migration biblical studies, the role of gender binary voices in evangelical-egalitarian approaches, oand the examination of scripture in light of trans women’s voices. The volume includes essays examining the Old Testament as recited in music, literature, film, and video games. In short, the book offers a vision for feminist biblical scholarship beyond the ...
Biblical Interpretation, 2014
The Catholic Biblical Quarterly, 2017
from following the rigorous command to love their neighbors as themselves. Some liberation-influe... more from following the rigorous command to love their neighbors as themselves. Some liberation-influenced readers may criticize Brueggemann for not going far enough in his critique of power and economic injustice, especially since he regularly allays his readers by asserting that wealth is not inherently evil. Nevertheless, Brueggemann speaks powerfully on this difficult subject, and if read seriously, the book will be convicting for its intended audience. Shelley L. Birdsong North Central College MICAH. By Stephen G. Dempster. Grand Rapids, MI: William B. Eerdmans, 2017. Pp. vii 1 284. $30.00. In keeping with the aims of the series, Dempster offers a theological (specifically Christian) interpretation of Micah (based on the Hebrew text), with an eye toward the book's theological themes and relevance for the church and contemporary issues. The work's structure shows the goal. The book begins with an introductory chapter that briefly comments on most of the typical interpretive issues for the book of Micah (e.g., historical context, authorship, date, redaction, structure, poetry and other genres, textcritical considerations, and place within the Twelve). The next large section (pp. 57-193) provides a sequential commentary on the major units of the biblical text, including discussions of contemporary Christian theological significance ("Interpretation-Micah's Word Now") and links with NT texts. Following the commentary, Dempster identifies ten "theological themes" across Micah (e.g., Micah's vision of God, Justice, Land, Temple, Messiah). A brief note on Micah's contribution to a larger "biblical theology" follows, after which the book concludes with an exploration of "present-day theological issues" to which Micah can speak (e.g., Doctrine of God, the role of a spiritual leader, cheap grace, justice). Many readers will note the lack of engagement with other contextual perspectives such as gender criticism and postcolonial considerations. But the book will serve those interested in prophetic study in general and Christian theological interpretation of Micah in particular.
Womanist Interpretations of the Bible
Uploads
Papers by Vanessa Lovelace