Original Sinners: Why Genesis Still Matters

(Paperback)

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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.

In Coatss telling, the relationships of Cain and Abel, Jacob and Esau, Rachel and Leah, and Joseph and his brothers take on stunning contemporary relevance as these characters find themselves confronted with extraordinary situations and circumstances that theyd neither asked for nor had anything to say about. Using stories from his life as well as the lives of people hes known, Coats creates a rubric you can use to examine your own life and to discover aspects of yourself in the characters whose lives unfold in these primordial stories. How has Eves story shaped yours Is your life reflected in Jacobs evolution to wisdom In Josephs youthful arrogance Coats explores the strengths and weaknesses of the men and women in Genesis, pulling back the wrappings that have hidden their humanity to reveal 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."

Reviews

"This engaging, well-written retelling of the Genesis story...uses conclusions of modern biblical criticism to emphasize the human story of the biblical narrative as myth from which nonreligious and religious alike can gain psychological insight and wisdom His contemporary life comparisons [are] enlightening... Readerswill revel in his insights." --Library Journal

Author Bio

John R. Coats holds masters degrees from Virginia Theological Seminary (Episcopal) and Bennington College Writing Seminars. A former parish priest, he was a principal speaker and seminar leader for the More to Life training program in the United States, Great Britain, and South Africa, and an independent management consultant. The More To Life/Kairos Foundation is a non-profit educational charity which aims to help people connect their daily lives with their highest values andsponsors personal development training programs on four continents.Coats was involved with the program from1981to 1995; as a senior trainer,he lead over300 weekend intensives,working with about 30,000 people, and todayremains well connected with the program as well aswith people heworked in such places as California, London, South Africa, Knoxville, Atlanta and Houston.He lives with his wife, Pamela, in Houston, Texas.