Why read these bewildering stories? First, they are truly captivating. But more
importantly, because they are the best examples available that move us away from a
literal, historical, or fundamentalist interpretation of the Bible. When a text does not
make sense in the first degree, we cannot take it literally. In a way, the effect of an
apparently absurd text projects the reader into a quest for meaning, freeing him from
his fundamentalist reflexes.
For each unusual narrative, after a short presentation, the reader has access to the
biblical text (NRSV version). The author then highlights the elements of the text that usually
provoke a reaction of surprise. To try to understand them better, he places the text in
its historical and literary context. Finally,
he offers personal reflections on
contemporary issues relating to those dealt with in the biblical stories.
