Storytelling the Bible at the Creation Museum, Ark Encounter, and Museum of the Bible
(Series: The Library of Hebrew Bible/Old Testament Studies)
Publication date: April 16, 2020
T&T Clark
ISBN-10: 0567687139
ISBN-13: 9780567687135
Pages: 224
Price: $115
Summary:
Paul Thomas chronicles a multi-level reception study of the Bible at both the Creation Museum and the Ark Encounter in Kentucky, USA. Thomas explores the commercial presentation of biblical narratives and the reception of those narratives by the patrons of each attraction, focusing upon three topics; what do young Creationists believe, how they interpret their beliefs from the Bible, and what is the user experience at the museums?
The volume begins by explaining how Answers in Genesis (AiG) use Bible passages to support young-Earth creationist arguments, allowing for the chance to consider the Bible via physical means. Thomas then examines how the Creation Museum and the Ark Encounter visitors receive the Bible (as presented by AiG) and how this presentation informs visitors’ understanding of the text, exploring concepts such as the most prominent displays of the two attractions, the larger context of museums and theme parks and the case studies of the Methuselah display and The Noah Interview. Thomas concludes with the summary of the user experience generated by the attractions, analyzing the degree to which patrons accept, negotiate, or resist the interpretation of the Bible offered by AiG.
Table of Contents:
Chapter 1: Reception Studies: The Initiation
Chapter 2: Hamming it up with Answers in Genesis
Chapter 3: Moon Pools and Poop Chutes
Chapter 4; Biblical Hiraeth and Stories of Home
Chapter 5: Dragons, Dinos, and Tech
Chapter 6: Something Terrible is Coming
Chapter 7: Noah Stops a Knife Fight
Chapter 8: The Fake Ark Delugion
Chapter 9: Adam is Too Sexy!
Chapter 10: “Expecting Some Flatbread Sandwiches
Chapter 11: Playing it Safe at the Museum of the Bible
Chapter 12: Strangers in Their Own Land
Bibliography
Religious studies professor conducts research on physical representations of the Bible
