Publisher's Synopsis
Text and Tablet balances a blend of logic, post-analytical philosophy, French philosophy and literary criticism to carefully introduce some of these issues to the student and research reader. Just as writers such as Derrida and Kermode have been interested in relating religion and philosophy to literature, so this book extends the idea of multidisciplinary synthesis to connect ancient and modern issues. Linking philosophy to literature, Old Testament texts and studies, Near East archaeology, and religious ideas and debates, in fresh ways, Gibson develops a critical debate with a variety of scholarly perspectives to present new and controversial insights. Specific and recurrently problematic ancient texts and sites are examined, as well as developing interpretations of some recent excavations. - - Addressing issues raised by leading thinkers (Chomsky, Deleuze, Wittgenstein, Renfrew, Barr) on language, life and history, Gibson seeks to challenge many entrenched views based on familiar discoveries and proposes fresh engagement between the interpretation of Old Testament studies and archaeology, using a new, multidisciplinary analysis. This book will prove of particular value to those interested in theology and biblical studies, philosophy of language, archaeology, and modern comparative literature. -
