by Rami Shaprio (Author), Michael Smith (Author)
Here's the story: a reverend and a rabbi start a blog. In 2008, Baptist minister Michael Smith and Jewish rabbi Rami M. Shapiro began a virtual conversation via blogspot.com. Called "Mount and Mountain," the blog recorded a long-running dialogue between Mike and Rami in which the pair interpreted, argued about, and interrogated key texts drawn from the canons of their respective religions: the Ten Commandments from the Torah, the Sermon on the Mount from the Gospel of St. Matthew, and now, in their newest collaboration, the stories of Genesis.Editor Aaron Herschel Shapiro describes storytelling as an "infinite game" because stories "must be retold-not just repeated, but reinvented, reimagined, and reexperienced" to remain vital in the world. Mike and Rami continue their earlier conversations, exploring the places where their traditions intersect and diverge and listening to each other as they respond to the stories of creation, of Adam and Eve, Cain and Abel, Noah, Jacob, and Joseph. Mike and Rami change the stories by interpretation as they themselves are changed by story and interpretation. And as we read with them, we too respond and interpret and change.
Author Biography
Reverend Michael Smith is a pastor, editor and writer. He serves as senior pastor of Central Baptist Church of Fountain City, Knoxville, Tennessee. Smith is active in Baptist and ecumenical life. After four decades of pastoral ministry, he still enjoys helping Christians forge connections with other Christians, worship with intention, and practice hands-on ministries in the community and larger world. Rabbi Rami Shapiro teaches at One River Wisdom School, which is a part of St. Mary's Sewanee: The Ayres Center for Spiritual Development. Author of more than twenty books, Rami also writes a regular column for Spirituality & Health magazine called Roadside Assistance for the Spiritual Traveler. He can be reached via his website, rabbirami.com.