Consider Leviathan: Narratives of Nature and the Self in Job

by Brian R. Doak

Theologians and philosophers are turning again to questions of the meaning, or non-meaning, of the natural world for human self-understanding. Brian R. Doak observes that the book of Job, more than any other book in the Bible, uses metaphors drawn from the natural world, especially of plants and animals, as raw material for thinking about human suffering. Doak argues that Job should be viewed as an anthropological “ground zero” for the traumatic definition of the post-exilic human self in ancient Israel. Furthermore, the battered shape of the Joban experience should provide a starting point for reconfiguring our thinking about “natural theology” as a category of intellectual history in the ancient world. Doak examines how the development of the human subject is portrayed in the biblical text in either radical continuity or discontinuity with plants and animals. Consider Leviathan explores the text at the intersection of anthropology, theology, and ecology, opening up new possibilities for charting the view of nature in the Hebrew Bible.

Genres: Religion

332 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 1, 2014

Reviews

[Alan Fuller · Rating 2 out of 5]

Doak takes a look at how nature is viewed in the Bible by examing the book of Job. He notes that in chapters 38-40;

"...the speech takes its readers into a reverse creation story in which, instead of chaos moving toward order, God begins with order and measured space and presses outward or downward into chaos and the monstrous." (Kindle Locations 3832-3834). Kindle Edition.

Recent scholarship teaches that nature and creation in the Bible are subordinate to the Heilsgeschichte theme, that is “nature religions” were to be opposed on the basis of Israel’s history of redemption. As opposed to direct revelation;

"Natural theology (theologia naturalis in the classic language of the church), on the other hand, is a basically self-directed and rationally motivated affair: through the use of reason humans perceive natural laws, mathematical principles, and other clues from the observation of nature by which to figure out God’s ways—or the mere existence of God."(Locations 4938-4940).

"On many levels the book of Job repeatedly links self, land, plant, and animal with God’s activity in the world. This affirmation, though basic, runs counter to the long-held assumption that Israel’s God was involved with “history” and not “nature,” and that on that basis Israel was to be differentiated from every other nation on earth." (Kindle Locations 5596-5598).

[Thomas · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fascinating look at nature in the book of Job and how it informs Job's understanding of himself in relationship to God and suffering. Also, the author offers some brief suggestions on how the use of nature of Job may give more room for a 'natural theology' than is often supposed. Despite the fact that scholars have traditionally dated Job as one of the oldest, if not the oldest, books in the Bible, the author argues for a post-exilic milieu. However, this does not take center stage in his overall presentation. I would recommend this book for anyone interested a different take on the book of job than is commonly expressed.

[Logan Oviatt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Intentional and insightful. This book captures a perspective on the post-exilic mind I have rarely seen, and it refreshingly refrains from an apologetic posture regarding the environment and the Hebrew Bible (thinking in terms of the debates following Lynn White Jr). It takes the confessional and artistic concerns of the received text just as seriously as the theological aspects, and for that reason, this book is apt for a thorough study of the Joban world (especially if one has read Newsom's work on Job beforehand). The fundamentalist would struggle with it, but that's a good indicator of honest academic work. 5 stars.

[Carl · Rating 4 out of 5]

“To the extent that the Bible serves as “The Great Code,” in Northrop Frye’s memorable phrase, for the history of the West, the Bible’s nature narratives have become canonical for us, whether as a normative and benevolent guiding spirit or an ignorant ghost raving the background.”

It's good stuff!

[Brooke Greenburg · Rating 5 out of 5]

Insightful. Wonderful.