Words and The Word

'This is a magnificent book, full of subtle yet important arguements. Biblical scholars will need to come to terms with it, those who praise the Good News Bible for its 'clarity and simplicity' will be given food for thought. It is in short, a major contribution from a respected literary scholar on a crucial area of theological debate.' Michael Townsend, The Expository Times

• Acknowledgements; Introduction; 1. Ways of reading the Bible; 2. 'The peculiar language of heaven …': the religious and the poetic 'primal consciousness' and linguistic change; 3. Poetry and prophecy; 4. The paradoxes of disconfirmation; 5. Metaphor and reality; Notes; Bibliography; Index.