Homeland Mythology: Biblical Narratives in American Culture

289 Pages·2007·1.28 MB·English

by  Christopher Collins

Homeland Mythology

Homeland
Mythology
Biblical Narratives in
American Culture
CHRISTOPHER
COLLINS
The Pennsylvania State University Press
University Park, Pennsylvania
Publication of this book has been aided by a grant from
the Abraham and Rebecca Stein Faculty Publication Fund
of New York University, Department of English.
library of congress cataloging-in-publication data
Collins, Christopher.
Homeland mythology : biblical narratives in American culture / Christopher Collins.
p. cm.
Includes bibliographical references (p. ) and index.
ISBN-13: 978-0-271-02993-1(cloth : alk. paper)
1. United States—Church history.
2. Bible—Criticism, interpretation, etc.
3. Christianity and culture—United States.
4. Christianity and politics—United States.
5. Church and state—United States.
I. Title.
BR515.C6432007
973.01—dc22
2007018608
Copyright © 2007The Pennsylvania State University
All rights reserved
Printed in the United States of America
Published by The Pennsylvania State University Press,
University Park, PA 16802-1003
The Pennsylvania State University Press is a member of the
Association of American University Presses.
It is the policy of
The Pennsylvania State University Press to use
acid-free paper. This book is printed on Natures Natural, containing
50% post-consumer waste, and meets the minimum requirements of American
National Standard for Information Sciences—Permanence of Paper for
Printed Library Material, ANSI Z39.48–1992.
this book and its author are dedicated
to Emmy

CONTENTS
Preface: Tracking Down an Old Story ix
1 Homeland and Its Discontents 1
2 Biblical Time and the Full Narrative Cycle 23
3 Myths of Curses, Myths of Blessings 59
4 Narratives of the Night 91
5 Abduction Narratives 121
6 Homeland Nostalgia and Holy War 153
7 Secular Modernism, Biblical Style 189
Notes 225
Bibliography 249
Index 257