Say It Again, Sam

Synopsis: In recent decades, biblical scholars have often drawn from the wells of literary theory when seeking to better understand the art of biblical narrative. This innovative work adds to these insights by applying film theory to the analysis of story in the Hebrew Bible. Kent argues that film theory helps us to attain much greater clarity in our appreciation of the functions of narrative repetition. This book offers a synchronic exegesis of Saul's night visit to the witch of En-Dor (1 Sam 28:3-25), focussing on the web of repetitions of visual elements, of symbols, of sounds, of entire scenes, and of keywords. Kent shows how an artistry of repetition and non-repetition helps to build characterization, plot, and structure, as well as prophetic fulfilments, foreshadowing, and inter-textual warnings. Anyone interested in biblical narrative and the Hebrew Bible will find here new questions and techniques, and a wider repertoire of tools offering fresh understandings. Endorsements: "[T]his book is an important contribution to Old Testament studies. As an Old Testament scholar with an interest in narrative, and also a film maker, Grenville Kent is well qualified to explore the interface between these disciplines and to show the fruitfulness of bringing them together." --David Firth Series Editor, Tyndale Old Testament Commentaries "Drawing from the author's professional and academic expertise, this work offers a rigorous understanding of narrative film studies within Biblical Studies and related theological disciplines. With more and more publications seeking to make use of some form of film appreciation as part of their narrative reflection on theology, this contribution is timely and important and will form an important text for narrative critical studies of both Old and New Testament." --Revd Dr. Peter Phillips St. John's College, University of Durham Author Biography: Grenville J.R. Kent is Lecturer in Old Testament and Arts at Wesley Institute in Sydney. He is co-editor of Reclaiming the Old Testament for Christian Preaching (IVP, 2010).