The Accessorized Bible

Drawing on cutting-edge work in biblical studies and ethics, David Dault explores how bibles shape and are shaped by contemporary culture

The recent rise in Christian nationalism and religious violence demands new approaches to scriptural interpretation that are rooted in nonviolence and moral seriousness. In The Accessorized Bible, David Dault explores the ethical implications of how we use scripture as an accessory, whether as an accessory to our fashion choices or as an accessory to our crimes and violence against one another.

Drawing on recent ideas in biblical interpretation--including Scriptural Reasoning, Iconic Books, and Cultural Materialism--David Dault weaves a rich and inviting tapestry of approaches to understanding the irreducible connection between bibles and cultural production. Along the way, Dault challenges readers to think deeply and clearly about their roles as bystanders, participants, and accessories to the acts and decisions we undertake in the Bible’s name.

In the end, The Accessorized Bible asks us to rethink our ways of reading, our institutions, and even love itself in light of the presence of the vulnerable and the cast-aside among us.

David Dault teaches in the Institute of Pastoral Studies at Loyola University Chicago. He is the host of Things Not Seen: Conversations about Culture and Faith, an award-winning radio show and podcast. He lives in Chicago, IL.