In a lively debate, Howard Jacobson, a Booker Prize-winning novelist, champions the Old Testament while Richard Coles, an Anglican priest and ex-Communard, advocates for the New Testament. They’re joined by Anne Atkins, a Christian novelist who also supports the Old Testament. The discussion dives into literary themes, examining the contrasting storytelling styles and deeper moral implications present in both texts. Personal anecdotes add flavor as they explore how these scriptures shape modern beliefs and cultural narratives.
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question_answer ANECDOTE
The Power of Curses
Howard Jacobson emphasizes the Old Testament's literary influence by quoting Deuteronomy's curses and their echoes in Shakespeare.
He highlights the "destructive glee" in these curses, suggesting a powerful vitality of imagination in their authors.
insights INSIGHT
A Challenging God
The Old Testament God isn't meant to make life easy; His personality—touchy, jealous—is vividly portrayed.
This challenging God, unlike the New Testament's, offers a deeper, more paradoxical understanding of human experience.
insights INSIGHT
Abraham's Dilemma
The Abraham and Isaac story highlights the complex interplay between obedience and morality.
It represents a crucial point in weighing God's commands against human affection, raising uncomfortable questions.
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In 'Live a Little', Howard Jacobson crafts a tender and humorous tale of unlikely love between Beryl Dusinbery, a feisty nonagenarian struggling with memory loss, and Shimi Carmelli, a recluse with perfect recall. The novel explores themes of aging, memory, love, and the complexities of human relationships, all set against the backdrop of North London.
The Finkler question
Howard Jacobson
The Finkler Question is a tragic-comedic novel that delves into the complexities of Jewish identity, friendship, and belonging. It follows Julian Treslove, a non-Jewish man obsessed with Jewish culture, and his relationships with his Jewish friends, Sam Finkler and Libor Sevcik. The novel explores themes of anti-Semitism, Zionism, and the challenges of modern Jewishness.
Adam and Eve, Noah’s Ark, Moses and the Ten Commandments, the parting of the Red Sea. These are a few of the stories from the Old Testament. And then there’s the New Testament, with its account of the life of Jesus, the Good Samaritan, the raising of Lazarus and the feeding of the five thousand. Whatever our creed or background, these stories are embedded in our consciousness. They inform our everyday speech and much of our art, music and literature. But which of these books is the greater? For this archive episode, we gathered expert voices to consider the question including writer and broadcaster Anne Atkins, Booker Prize-winning novelist and journalist Howard Jacobson, Professor of Theology and Culture in the African Diaspora Robert Beckford, and Anglican priest and presenter the Rev. Richard Coles. Hosting the discussion is broadcaster, comedian and author David Baddiel.
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