"God and the First Families offers a novel exploration of Gods role as a parent in Genesis. It also illuminates Genesiss wisdom on surviving trauma, healing from parental favoritism, repairing broken relationships, earning forgiveness, remedying injury, and possibly even achieving redemption"-- Provided by publisher."God and the First Families offers a novel exploration of Gods role as a parent in the book of Genesis. Compellingly, author Stephen Spector introduces Americans four main perceptions of God and their four most common styles of parenting as lenses through which we can reckon with Gods own methods of parenting in the first biblical book.God begins as an authoritarian parent who demands obedience and submission to authority, but shifts in striking ways. Next, Gods parenting seems entirely benevolent. Stunningly, God reverts to authoritarianism during the near sacrifice of Isaac-but then invents a new parenting style focused on guiding the characters moral and emotional growth. Many psychologists consider this the most successful childrearing method.

Genesis reached that conclusion two and a half millennia ago! Throughout, Spector engages with familiar stories-sibling rivalries, family ruptures, traumas-from unexpected angles. He dramatizes how parental love in Genesis builds resilience against trauma, another idea validated by modern psychology. Surviving trauma, healing from parental favoritism, repairing broken relationships, earning forgiveness, possibly even reconciling after injury-Genesis offers wisdom on all. "-- Provided by publisher.