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            The Joseph story, from which our first lesson is taken, is one of the great Biblical narratives, and it is the power of these narratives, I believe, that explains why the Bible, despite the constant attacks against it, remains the #1 best seller of all times. 
            The Joseph story inspired the writer Thomas Mann to write the novel Joseph and
his Brethren,” and the power of Biblical narrative prompted a colleague of mine to remark, “The Bible is a horrible book, but I love the old monster!” 
            Frank Kermode has reminded us that narratives are intrinsically obscure, and today many people approach biblical narrative with deep suspicion, not limited to the question of their historical verifiability.  The church itself has had trouble with the obscurity of narrative and the complexity of the Bible as a whole, and it would seem to prefer the apparent simplicity of the rule of faith set forth in the creeds. 
            The Joseph story is found not only in the Bible but also in the Qur’an, and it is interesting to compare the two versions.  One curious difference is in the episode of the attempt by Potiphar’s wife to seduce Joseph, whom the Bible describes as handsome and good looking. 
            In both versions Joseph rejects the woman’s advances and flees from the house leaving his garment in her hand.  In the Bible Potiphar believes his wife’s slander that Joseph had tried to rape her, and he puts him in prison.  In the Qur’an, however, a member of Potiphar’s household suggests, “If Joseph’s shirt is torn at the front, then it is the woman who is telling the truth, but if it is torn at the back, then she is lying.”
            Potiphar sees that the shirt is torn at the back but decides to imprison Joseph anyway, despite his innocence.  But the most telling difference in the Qur’anic version is the way in which the narrative is used for the purpose of religious instruction. 
            “There are lessons in the story of Joseph and his brothers for all who seek them.  God always prevails in his purpose, though most people do not realize it,” and Joseph himself declares, “I reject the faith of those who disbelieve in God and deny the life to come.”
            In other words, the Joseph story is turned into a sermon.  Now I have nothing against sermons, but I would still suggest, let narrative remain narrative.  A good story involves us by the twists and turns, the ups and downs: boy meets girl, boy loses girl, boy wins girl back. 
            The chapter in the Joseph story  which follows the one read today introduces a crisis, staged by Joseph himself, and this crisis has to be resolved before Joseph reveals himself to his brothers, and the story can have a happy ending. 
            In Anglican worship we recite the creeds, the Apostles’ Creed at Morning Prayer and the Nicene Creed at Holy Communion.  But these creeds are still subject to the proviso contained in the 6th Article of Religion: “Holy Scripture containeth all things necessary for salvation.”
            I say, “Amen” to that. 

February 28, 2010

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