Book: Metaphor, Canon and Community

[Ralph Bisschops]

Dear members,
I would like to inform you about the recent release of the
following book:
Ralph Bisschops and James Francis (eds.). 1999. Metaphor, Canon and
Community - Jewish, Christian and Islamic Approaches. Bern et al.: Peter
Lang.
ISBN: 3-906762-40-8 / US-ISBN: 0-8204-4234-8
Size: 307 pages.
Price: 28 £, US$ 45.95, DM 80, FF 256, öS 533

Synopsis:
Every religion interprets its metaphors according to a specific model. Such
differences tend to be largely determined by dogmatic principles underlying
a specific religion. The volume presents the unusual attempt of gathering
viewpoints from the great religions within monotheism: Judaism, Christianity
and Islam. It covers the wide range of theological subjects
from mysticism to pastoral care. It presents a significant range of
discoveries,
instances, and new interpretative models. The volume poses important
challenges to
mainstream metaphorology. General theory of metaphor has always overlooked
the fact that especially in the history of religions the question how to
interpret and handle metaphors has been a central topic. Each religion has
its own interpretative rules which have been elaborated after deep
discussions, strenuous debates and even schisms. As long as we do not
consider these rich interpretative traditions, general theory of metaphor
must remain ethnocentric and historically dependent.

Authors: Mehmet Aydin (University of Izmir), Ralph Bisschops (Brussels),
Marc Z. Brettler (Brandeis University, Waltham), Recai Dogan (University of
Ankara), James Francis (University of Sunderland), Lawrence A. Hoffman,
(Hebrew Union College, New York), Bernd Kuschnerus (University of Marburg),
Daniel Louw (University of Stellenbosch, South Africa), Berel Dov Lerner
(Western Galilee College), Frank Miege (University of Heidelberg), Robert
Platzner (California State University), Martin Pöttner (University of
Heidelberg), Francesca Rigotti (University of Lugano), Anna Wierzbicka
(Australian National University), Recep Yaparel (University of Izmir).

Metaphor, Canon and Community is also the first volume of the new
interdisciplinary and cross-religious book series 'Religions and Discourse,'
directed by Dr James Francis (University of Sunderland).

More information (synopsis, table of contents, ordering information) about
the book can be found at the following web-site:
http://members.theglobe.com/reldiscourse/volume1.htm
For information on the series, please refer to:
http://members.theglobe.com/reldiscourse/index.htm

For review copies, you can refer to Mrs Karin Meyer ( Peterlang at access.ch )
indicating the names and addresses of both the periodical and the reviewer.

Hoping that the volume invites your attention, I remain
yours faithfully

Dr Ralph Bisschops ( rbisschops at arcadis.be )
62 Avenue Emile Duray
B-1050 Brussels