Table of Contents
Acknowledgments x
Introduction 1
Overarching Focus and Content 1
Style, Tone, and Approach 3
1 The Bible and Conflict: Beginning with the Creator and Adam and Eve 5
Imago Dei: The Biblical Vision Embedded in Genesis 1 and 2 5
Justice, the Common Good, and Right Relationships 7
Grace in the Wilderness 8
Looking through the Communication Lens 9
Reflection Questions: Can You Now…? 14
2 Joseph At Seventeen (Genesis 37) 15
A Biblical Interpretation of Genesis 37 15
The Family Cycles of Stories 17
Looking through the Communication Lens 23
Theological Reflection on Genesis 37 27
In Sum: Grace in the Wilderness 28
Reflection Questions: Can You Now…? 29
3 Joseph and Potiphar's Wife: Study in Maintaining "Face" (Genesis 39) 30
A Biblical Interpretation of Genesis 39 30
Looking through the Communication Lens 34
Theological Reflection on Genesis 39 39
In Sum: Grace in the Wilderness 39
Reflection Questions: Can You Now…? 40
4 Joseph Encounters His Brothers: Forgiveness and Reconciliation (Genesis 42:1-47:26) 41
A Biblical Interpretation of Genesis 42:1-47:26 41
Looking through the Communication Lens 49
Theological Reflection on Genesis 42-47 57
In Sum: Grace in the Wilderness 58
Reflection Question: Can You Now…? 59
5 Tamar and Judah: Leveling the Playing Field (Genesis 38) 60
A Biblical Interpretation of Genesis 38 60
Looking through the Communication Lens 67
Theological Reflection on Genesis 38:1-30 74
In Sum: Grace in the Wilderness 74
Reflection Questions: Can You Now…? 75
6 Susanna: Third-Party Intervention (Daniel 13:1-64/Susanna 1:1-64) 77
A Biblical Interpretation of the Book of Susanna (Chapter 13 of the Greek Version of Daniel) 77
Looking through the Communication Lens 82
Theological Reflection on the Book of Susanna 88
In Sum: Grace in the Wilderness 89
Reflection Questions: Can You Now…? 89
7 Judith: Styles and Tactics (Judith 10-15) 91
A Biblical Interpretation of Judith 10-15 91
Looking through the Communication Lens 101
Theological Reflection on Judith 10-15 106
In Sum: Grace in the Wilderness 107
Reflection Questions: Can You…? 107
8 Moses And God: The Art of Negotiation (Exodus 32) 109
A Biblical Interpretation of Exodus 32:1-35 109
Looking through the Communication Lens 114
Theological Reflection on Exodus 32 124
In Sum: Grace in the Wilderness 125
Reflection Questions: Can You Now…? 126
9 Jeremiah: Defensiveness and Conflict (Jeremiah 37-39) 128
A Biblical Interpretation of Jeremiah 37-39 128
Looking through the Communication Lens 133
Theological Reflection on Jeremiah 37-39 138
In Sum: Grace in the Wilderness 139
Reflection Questions: Can You Now…? 139
10 Michal and David: Conflict in Romantic Relationships (1 Samuel 18:17-30, 19:11-17, 25:43-44, 2 Samuel 3:14-16, 6:15-23) 141
A Biblical Interpretation of 1 Samuel 18:17-30, 19:11-17, 25:43-44 and 2 Samuel 3:14-16 and 6:15-23 141
Looking through the Communication Lens 147
Theological Reflection on 1 Samuel and 2 Samuel 155
In Sum: Grace in the Wilderness 155
Reflection Questions: Can You Now…? 156
11 Social Conflict in the Gospels (Matthew 5-7) 158
A Biblical Interpretation of Matthew 5-7 159
Looking through the Communication Lens 175
Theological Reflection on Matthew 5-7 179
In Sum: Grace in the Wilderness 180
Reflection Questions: Can You Now…? 180
12 "What's Love Got To Do With It?" Transforming Conflict: A Look at Pauline Literature 181
A Biblical Interpretation of Romans 12:9-21, 14:1-12, and 15:1-13 and 1 Corinthians 12:12-13:1-13 182
Looking through the Communication Lens 191
Theological Reflection on Paul 199
In Sum: Grace in the Wilderness 200
Reflection Questions: Can You Now…? 201
Epilogue 202
Notes 205
Index 223
