The Department of Hebrew, Biblical and Jewish Studies presents

Book launch

When God Wanted to Destroy the Chosen People:
Biblical Traditions and Theology on the Move

By Dr Gili Kugler

The book

When God Wanted to Destroy the Chosen People examines the image of God as a source of threat to the existence of his people, Israel. It focuses on the evolution of the biblical narratives and ideas about Israel’s non-negotiable status as a “chosen people”, in contrast to God’s revocable commitment to them. The narratives of God’s threats to annihilate Israel enable a striking exposure of the complexity of biblical theology and the intricacy of the text’s methods and techniques, revealing the variety of voices that shaped the ancient texts.

About the author

Dr Gili Kugler is a lecturer of Biblical Studies at the Department of Hebrew, Biblical and Jewish Studies at the University of Sydney. Her research area lies within the framework of literary-historical analysis, a method examining the evolution of narratives and ideas inserted into the text throughout time. Her research explores and exposes the layers beneath the final form of the biblical narratives, and behind the meanings and ideas loaded into the text throughout years of interpretation.

Launch program

5:00pm Refreshments
5:30pm Dr Rachelle Gilmour launches the book, followed by a discussion with the author

RSVP

Please RSVP by 28 October 2019 to Lucy Davey: lucy.davey@sydney.edu.au