blood of Abel, The

By Mark Harold McEntire

Book Description

The Hebrew Bible contains stories that have shaped human understanding for millennia, yet beneath its familiar narratives runs a complex current that demands deeper examination. Scholar Mark McEntire ventures into uncharted territory with this groundbreaking exegetical study, applying the influential theories of René Girard to specific biblical texts with remarkable precision.

Rather than offering broad generalizations about violence in religious literature, McEntire conducts careful textual analysis of selected passages from the Hebrew Bible. His approach reveals how violence functions not merely as isolated incidents, but as an underlying force that drives the very plot structure of these ancient texts. This represents the first scholarly work to apply Girardian theory through detailed biblical exegesis, staying firmly within the boundaries of Hebrew scripture itself.

For readers seeking to understand the deeper patterns within biblical narrative, this study illuminates how themes of conflict and violence weave through the foundational stories of faith. McEntire's analysis offers fresh insights into texts that many assume they already understand, revealing layers of meaning that speak to fundamental questions about human nature and divine purpose.

This work will particularly resonate with those interested in the intersection of theology and sociology, providing tools for more nuanced biblical interpretation while addressing one of scripture's most challenging aspects.