Mark Brett places the first book of the Bible firmly within its sociopolitical context. He argues that it can be read as resistance literature and that the editors of Genesis^ were directly engaged with contemporary issues.

Combining insights from social and literary theory as well as traditional historical studies, Mark Brett argues that the first book of the Bible can be read as resistance literature. Placing the theological text firmly within its socio-political context, he shows that the editors of Genesis were directly engaged with contemporary issues, especially the nature of an authentic community, and that the book was designed to undermine the ethnocentism of the imperial governors of the Persian period (fifth century BCE).