Scripturalectics

"Scripturalectics offers a rigorous proposal that refocuses attention from texts to power relations, from disciplinary exegesis and apologetics to interdisciplinary interrogations of worldview formation, and from affirming the stability of textual meanings and practices to noticing ruptures in knowledge construction and reification. It is a challenge to biblical scholarship, to be sure, and a challenge even to those who would claim 'innovation' in the field. That said, all scholars of religion and readers of 'scriptures' might do well to re-examine categories, assumptions, and power relations that inform our discourses and practices."--Davina C. Lopez, Reading Religion "A compelling and provocative book from one of the boldest leaders in Religious Studies. Everyone should take notice of what Vincent Wimbush says about scripturalization, scripturalectics and the effects of White Man's Magic-not least on the disciplines we inhabit."--Yvonne Sherwood, author of Biblical Blaspheming: Trials of the Sacred for a Secular Age "Scripturalectics is a brilliant study of the politics of language and texts as bearers of meaning for worlds some assume but others must assert. It engages the Black Atlantic through Equiano and Chinua Achebe and Wimbush's subtle analysis of these giants of black narrative gives new meaning to signification, portraying scriptures as language use, knowledge-claims, and consciousness formation central to dismantling domination and establishing an inclusive world. It is a must read for all interested in thought and practice."--Elias Kifon Bongmba, Harry and Hazel Chair in Christian Theology, Rice University "Vincent Wimbush has dedicated well over two decades of his distinguished academic career to theorizing the cultural influence of different forms of sacred writing. Building upon the scholarship of the French scriptural theorist Michel de CerteauDLbut adding the all-important analytical lens of raceDLWimbush offers us in Scripturalectics yet another stunning theoretical discussion focused on making sense of the holy and unholy uses of scriptural discourses in specific cultural formations."--Paul Gutjahr, Ph.D., Ruth Halls Professor of English, Indiana University