Experiencing Esther

Abstract

Feasts, drinking, beauty treatments, conversations, and even violence: the book of Esther contains experience after experience. Jews have experienced the book for centuries as part of their Purim celebration, while some Christians have struggled to experience this book. Guiding hearers and readers to and through experiences with Esther may seem challenging. In this article, I suggest two distinct ways to experience Esther that focus on the text from somewhat different directions: Esther through movies and Esther through empire and difference. These options could be adapted for many settings (academic classroom, Bible study, peer learning group) and could involve any number of people. These approaches to Esther help bring the text into the experiences of Christian communities.