Original Sinners: A New Interpretation of Genesis

by John R. Coats

In this vivid new interpretation of Genesis, former Episcopal priest John R. Coats looks at the ancient text and its characters in a new light, as stories about people whose day-to-day concerns, triumphs, and failures are not unlike our own. In fact, understanding the people and stories of Genesis can help you understand your own life, family, and colleagues. In the relationships between Cain and Abel, Jacob and Esau, Rachel and Leah, and Joseph and his brothers, for instance, you can see an all-too-familiar escalation of the toxic sibling or even workplace rivalries that tear at the fabric of contemporary life. And in Abraham's ponderous response to the command to "Go forth" and Noah's unquestioning commitment to build the ark, you can revisit the question of your own life's path-your calling.In Original Sinners, these characters take on stunning contemporary relevance as they find themselves confronted with extraordinary situations and circumstances that they'd neither asked for nor had anything to say about. Using stories from his life as well as the lives of people he's known, Coats creates a model that can be used to examine your own life and discover aspects of yourself in the characters whose lives unfold in these primordial stories.Weaving together biblical scholarship from many traditions with his own reflections on modern life experiences, Coats explores the character strengths and weaknesses of the men and women in Genesis (and of his own character), revealed through their handling of ordinary matters of life and death as well as in their encounters with the divine.Was Jacob a heartless grifter or simply clever? Was Eve the original sinner or an innocent? Was Joseph a self-absorbed brat or a forward-thinking leader? In Original Sinners, Coats pulls back the wrappings that have hidden the humanity of biblical figures and reveals the vibrant drama of these foundational narratives. "Different clothing, yes, and language, and customs, yet at the human level," he writes, "they were just as greedy and generous as we are, as gullible and crafty, as moronic and brilliant, as cowardly and brave. They are us, their stories, our stories, mirrors in which to see our best and worst selves."

Genres: Religion, Theology, Spirituality, Nonfiction

260 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2009

Reviews

[John Martindale · Rating 4 out of 5]

A little over midway in the book, the author shared a story about the sly way he managed to get a woman ordained, as a way of relating with Jacob's trickery in the book of Genesis. He mentioned how he had part in the scheme when he lived in Tyler Texas and was a priest at Christ Church Episcopal, which happens to be the church that I belong to. Ha... It was rather cool :) The author was very theological liberal, so it kind of surprised me that he was a part of Christ Church, since it is more moderate/conservative. Later I learned (if I remember right) that the author got himself in some hot water there because he let it known he didn't believe in the virgin birth.

[Sheila · Rating 4 out of 5]

Original Sinners, by John R. Coats, is subtitled Why Genesis Really Matters. With my love for faith, the Bible and science, I simply had to read it. The author has a Masters degree from Virginia Theological Seminary, so he knows a lot about the Bible. It’s clear he’s thought a lot about it too and researched its background well. The stories he tells, based on events and characters both familiar and unfamiliar, are much more than paraphrases of a well-known book or short readings leading to sermons.

In Original Sinners the author imagines, and analyzes, real lives behind the Biblical tales—why did Cain feel so angry and rejected? How could Abraham uproot his family like that, and why did he lie about his wife? Why is Isaac almost invisible in the tale? And how can anyone imagine we might want to emulate sneaky Jacob?

With anecdotes drawn from his own life and lives of friends, the author shows how archetypes of Genesis really are relevant today, not just to people of faith, but to anyone interested in human nature. Sometimes he seems to reject the Bible’s depictions as fable or embellishment. Other times he brings them so thoroughly to life it’s hard to remember there might be other interpretations. But all the time, John R. Coats writes of real people, real worlds, really researched, and allows the reader to see the stories and characters in a new light.

One reader might say “Of course, the Bible’s literally true”; another that of course each word is myth; but it would be hard after reading this book to say the Bible’s irrelevant. It would be a shame if readers rejected the author’s writing in favor of preconceived notions, since there’s so much to inform both faith and reflection, and the narrative is so eloquent and intriguing. Who are we? Why are we here? And why do we do what we do? Original Sinners might not answer the questions, but it points in an interesting direction.



Disclosure: I read about this book in a blog and was lucky enough to obtain a copy to read and review.

[David · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is really a two and a half star book. The theology is good and sound. Certain sections I enjoyed and others I did not. I am trying to understand what in me did not like the book. Found nothing much in the story of the flood. Enjoyed more the section on Calling. Over all what I did not enjoy is that the book is a little too scattered. A mixture of theology, memoir, storytelling, and folksiness. It is an alternative though to straight theology.

[George Sink · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fantastic walk through the stories and relationships of the figures in Genesis from a uniquely human perspective. The author adds stories and memories from his own life that share the emotions he sees in the Genesis narrative. He describes the stories through the lens of what it means to be human, as well as dives into the many interpretations of the text. It was an immersive and insightful read.

[Mitzi Taylor · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lent read: There were some interesting interpretations of Genesis and the characters in the first book of the Bible. Often a confusing book, I liked the humanity the author brought to the characters in the stories. As with any interpretation, it is to be read as opinion and not fact.

[Gary Grimes · Rating 3 out of 5]

A combination of exegesis and personal life stories. Coats is a great story teller and his book definetly makes me want to food deeper into the genesis story.

[Jacob · Rating 3 out of 5]

Original Sinners: A New Interpretation of Genesis by John R. Coats. 203 pp, pub. 2009.

This book goes through the first book of the Bible, story by story. The Bible, according to author John R. Coats, "shows itself to be a mirror in which to see one's own humanity, one's flaws of character, one's strengths through the lives of the people found in its stories. ... when looking closely at them, you begin to see your own reflection." (2) That's the gist of the author's approach to Genesis.

The author, raised in a conservative Baptist environment but later became an Episcopal priest, analyzes the stories for what lessons they may have for us today. What does the story of Jacob and Esau have for modern siblings? What does how Abraham dealt with his problems tell us about taking the easy way out? Coats intersperses his exposition of the Bible's text with anecdotes from his own family life and years in ministry, stories that show how lessons from the Bible's narrative can be applied to our lives.

But he offers this caution: "Am I, a man living long after the authors of Genesis, with ideas and mind-sets made possible by twenty-five hundred additional years in the development of human consciousness, using these as tools to better understand these ancient texts, or am I ascribing meanings that are simply echoes of my own time and my own life? That is always the risk." (78)

Reading the book, one must recall that this is a interpretation of Genesis, not the interpretation of Genesis. This is not the only approach to the Bible that is legitimate and useful; and even within this approach the lessons Coats draws are not the only ones that one could obtain from the text.

In case you're wondering, the author puts his cards on the table early on: "No, I don't believe there was a Garden of Eden, an Adam and Eve, a Cain and Abel, but I do believe in the metaphor--I live inside it, and so do you." (1) But for what he is trying to accomplish, making the Bible's narratives speak to our situation today, that doesn't matter (whether or not the Good Samaritan "really happened" has nothing to do with what the story tells us about how to live). "Because [this approach] does not require a religious point of view, it makes the Bible available to everyone." (5)

Coats does discuss historical biblical scholarly, albeit not much--he explains the documentary hypothesis in about 90 words--and discuses at several points various Jewish and Christian interpretations throughout the centuries. He also wanders beyond Genesis at points, discussing King Saul, for instance.

Overall, this book is decent. It would not be a good introduction to biblical scholarship, and would have benefited from more explanation of the conclusions scholars have reached and why. The alternative interpretations he raises, both his own and those of other theologians, are often interesting. But the lessons, if applied, would help us manage our lives to better protect and promote ourselves, not grow beyond ourselves to helping others out of feelings of Christian love. Bear in mind that his take on the Bible can sit beside other views without contradicting or competing with them and you'll probably gain something from this book. But overall I was somewhat disappointed. 3/5 stars.

Recommended instead: Reading the Bible Again For the First Time by Marcus Borg and Jesus For the Nonreligious by John Shelby Spong.

[Wendy Hines · Rating 3 out of 5]

In this vivid, original interpretation of Genesis, former Episcopal priest John R. Coats takes readers on a journey through the ancient text, inviting them to see its characters in a new light, not as religious icons, but as people whose day-to-day concerns, triumphs, and failures are like our own.

I love watching the History channel. On occasion, ok many occasions, they have biblical stories re-enacted and I am always enthralled when I watch it. Those people are just like us - the same hopes, dreams, and fears. It's a bit harder to understand that connection when reading the bible because of the way it is written. Of course, that is just my own personal opinion.

I need something to relate to. John Coats does that in Original Sinners. He takes the book of Genesis, it's characters and messages and brings them to THIS day. He uses stories from his own life to parable that in the book so that you can use that message to relate to YOUR life.

Sure, it's religion, but it's not All about the religion. It's about humanity, and choices and life. Mr. Coats writes in a seamless manner, that is easy to relate to and understand. Insightful and touching, Original Sinners is not to be missed.

[Kevin · Rating 3 out of 5]

And interesting perspective. I don't really agree with the author's take on the Bible but I found his exploration of Genesis worth reading nonetheless. It is an odd sort of mix of literary analysis, Biblical exegesis, theology, commentary and memoir. Coates' personality makes it work.

[Jay Rivera · Rating 4 out of 5]

In just a few short pages Mr. Coats has already upended most of what I assumed to be true about the creation narrative. Fascinating reading. Can't wait to tackle more of it tonight.

[Hannah · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was very funny and insightful. I'm a non-believer, which is why a non traditional interpretation of genesis was right up my alley. I enjoyed it a lot.

[Carlos Vallarino]

Gave me a new perspective and data about Genesis that I did not know about.