Am I My Brother's Keeper?

In a wide-ranging meditation on the Cain and Abel narrative, Mark Scarlata draws out theological motifs relevant to Christian discipleship in a modern Western context. Taking his cue from Augustine's City of God, Scarlata brings to light what it means for a Christian to be a citizen of the heavenly city in this midst of a twenty-first-century globalized society. He argues that Christians can no longer think of discipleship merely as a personal, individual undertaking, but must recognize their role and responsibility as citizens in a global community. Each chapter raises questions like: How do we offer our best in worship when we live in a world driven by consumerism? How can we love others through our participation in the global economy? Are our lifestyles treating the environment in a way that is pleasing to God? And, how do we authentically connect to each other in a digital age of social media and mobile technology? These and other issues are addressed in relation to scenes from the Cain and Abel story. Each discussion highlights ancient Jewish and Christian interpretation as well as how a particular topic is understood within the broader context of the Old and New Testaments. Scarlata then offers ways that Christians might respond to the cultural shifts experienced by this generation and encourages readers to rethink what it means to be a citizen of God's kingdom with a local and global awareness in every aspect of life. ""Mark Scarlata creatively uses the ancient story of Cain and Abel to construct a holistic and sensitive approach to distinctive Christian discipleship in the contemporary world. This is a book of deep learning and wisdom."" --Graham Tomlin, Dean, St. Mellitus College ""It is vital that Christians reflect on the requirements of Christian discipleship in a world that is being transformed by globalization, ecological crisis, information technology, and other factors. Mark Scarlata has made the story of Cain and Abel the focus for an insightful and wide-ranging reflection, deeply informed by biblical wisdom. Cain's disturbing question, 'Am I my brother's keeper?' is given a challenging contemporary answer."" --Richard Bauckham, FBA, FRSE, Cambridge, UK Mark W. Scarlata is Lecturer in Old Testament Studies at St. Mellitus College, London. He is the author of Outside of Eden: Cain in the Ancient Versions of Gen 4:1-16 (2012).